Cooking Tips

Small habits. Better meals. A little more confidence in the kitchen.

Read the recipe first

Check the whole method before you begin. Set out your ingredients, utensils and pans so there are no surprises halfway through.

Wash produce, chop vegetables and measure ingredients first. Keep raw meat and its utensils separate from ready-to-eat foods.

Taste food when it is safe to do so. Add seasoning gradually; a little lemon juice can brighten a dish without adding more salt.

Crowding a pan traps steam. Cook in batches when you want vegetables or proteins to brown rather than soften.

Before draining pasta, reserve some cooking water. Add it a splash at a time to help bring a sauce together.

Cool and refrigerate leftovers promptly, then build a fresh meal around them. Label containers and follow local food-safety guidance.