How to Cook Your Way Out of the 10 Worst Kitchen Mistakes
Updated: Apr. 15, 2021You can hide everything from overcooked vegetables to stale rolls.
Overdone pasta
Put in ice water or run under cold water for a few minutes to stop the cooking process and contract the starch. Then reheat in tomato sauce—the acid will perk it up further. Learn which common pasta utensil you’ve been using all wrong.
Stale rolls
Wet your fingers and flick some water on them, then microwave in a microwave-safe cooking bag for no more than five seconds, or wrap in foil and heat in a 250-degree oven for ten minutes. Learn more about how to make stale bread not only edible, but tasty!
Burned bread
Scrape off the worst, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and present as crostini; or use for croutons.
Overcooked vegetables
Cool as quickly as possible, in ice water, just like with pasta, then reheat briefly in hot stock and squirt on some acid (lemon, lime, or even orange) before serving. We bet you didn’t know you’ve been eating these 12 foods all wrong.
Oversalted soup
For clear soups, add some uncooked pasta or a raw, peeled potato to the pot. The starch will absorb much of the salt. Discard the pasta or potato after 15 to 20 minutes. Here’s how to fix more of the most common kitchen mistakes.
Overcharred beef
It’s all about spin, says John DeShetler, professor and chef at the Culinary Institute of America. Rub it with a mix of ground pepper, chili powder, and garlic, then present as ‘blackened.’ Or slice it up as is and use in stir-fries, salads, or fajitas. Watch out for these cooking mistakes that can actually make your food unsafe.
Limp greens
Bathe them briefly in a bowl of very cold water (no ice, which will bruise the leaves), then wrap in a damp towel and refrigerate. On the other hand, here are some foods you’re spoiling by putting in the fridge.
Dry fish
Brush with a butter-and-lemon mixture, then sprinkle with chopped cilantro, marjoram, or savory. The sauce will add moisture, and ‘cool’ herbs like these, flavor.
Overripe fruit
When it’s too far gone for even fruit salad, use for smoothies, purees, sorbets, or ice cream. Next, learn the baking mistakes you didn’t realize you were making.
