Common cooking mistakes (and how to fix them)

Too much salt

• Dilute it: Add more of the main ingredients (like vegetables, meat, or broth) to balance out the saltiness.
• Add a starch: Toss in a peeled potato and let it simmer for a while. The potato will absorb some of the excess salt. Just remember to remove it before serving.
• Sweeten it up: A pinch of sugar or a splash of vinegar can help counteract the saltiness.

Too much acid

If your dish is too tangy or acidic, try these fixes:

• Add a pinch of sugar: This can help balance out the acidity.
• Add a fat: Stir in some butter, cream, or olive oil to mellow the tanginess.
• Dilute it: Add more of the main ingredients or a bit of water to reduce the acidity.

Too much pepper

If you’ve gone a bit overboard with the pepper, here are some ways to rescue your dish:

• Dilute it: Add more of the main ingredients or a bit of stock to balance out the pepperiness.
• Add a dairy product: Stir in some yogurt, sour cream, or milk to mellow the heat.
• Sweeten it: A pinch of sugar or a splash of honey can help counteract the spiciness.

Curdled creamy sauces

There's nothing worse than a creamy sauce that turns into a lumpy mess. Here's how to save it:

• Lower the heat: High heat can cause dairy to curdle. Keep your sauce on low heat and stir gently.
• Add a starch: Mix a bit of cornflour or plain flour with cold water and whisk it into the sauce. This can help stabilise the mixture.
• Blend it: If your sauce has already curdled, try blending it with a stick blender.

Overcooked vegetables

If your veggies have turned into mush, don't despair – you can still salvage them:

• Make a soup: Overcooked vegetables are perfect for a hearty soup. Just blend them with some broth and season to taste.
• Create a purée: Turn those mushy veggies into a delicious purée. Add some butter, cream, or herbs for extra flavour.

Burnt food

We've all been there – you step away for a moment, and suddenly your food is burnt. Here's what to do:

• Remove the burnt parts: Carefully cut away the burnt sections and salvage what you can!
• Add a sauce: A flavourful sauce can help mask any remaining burnt taste.
• Repurpose it: Use the unburnt portions in a different dish, like a casserole or stir-fry.

Lumpy gravy

When it comes to gravy, nothing less than smooth will do:

• Whisk it: Use a whisk to break up the lumps. If that doesn't work, try using a stick blender.
• Strain it: Pour the gravy through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any remaining lumps.

Dry cake

If your cake turned out dry, don't worry – you can still make it delicious:

• Add a syrup: Brush the cake with a simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water) to add moisture.
• Serve with a sauce: Pair the cake with a creamy sauce, like custard or whipped cream, to add moisture and flavour.

Too spicy

If your dish has turned out too spicy, here are some ways to cool it down:

• Add dairy: Stir in some yogurt, sour cream, or milk to mellow out the heat.
• Increase the volume: Add more of the non-spicy ingredients to dilute the spiciness.
• Sweeten it: A bit of sugar or honey can help balance the heat.

Too much garlic or onion

If you've gone overboard with garlic or onion, here’s how to fix it:

• Cook it longer: Cooking the dish a bit longer can help mellow the strong flavours.
• Add a starch: Potatoes, rice, or pasta can help absorb some of the strong flavours.
• Balance it out: Add a bit of sugar or a splash of vinegar to balance the flavours.

Too sweet

If your dish is too sweet, try these tips:

• Add a bit of acid: A splash of lemon juice or vinegar can help cut through the sweetness.
• Add salt: A pinch of salt can help balance out the sweetness.
• Dilute it: Add more of the main ingredients to balance the flavours.

Too much oil or fat

If your dish is too greasy, try these solutions:

• Skim it off: Use a spoon to skim off the excess oil or fat from the surface.
• Blot it: Use a paper towel to blot the excess oil from the top of the dish.

Overcooked pasta

If your pasta is overcooked and mushy, here's what you can do:

• Rinse it: Rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and firm it up a bit.
• Sauté it: Toss the pasta in a hot pan with a bit of olive oil or butter to give it a slightly crispy texture.
• Make a pasta bake: Mix the pasta with a sauce, cheese, and some vegetables, then bake it in the oven for a delicious pasta bake.

Too much vinegar or wine

If you've added too much vinegar or wine to your dish, try these fixes:

• Simmer it: Let the dish simmer for a bit longer to reduce the sharpness of the vinegar or wine.
• Add a sweetener: A bit of sugar or honey can help balance out the acidity.
• Add a fat: Stir in some butter, cream, or olive oil to mellow the flavours.

Overly thick sauce

If your sauce is too thick, try these tips:

• Thin it out: Add a bit of water, broth, or milk to reach the desired consistency.
• Whisk it: Whisk the sauce vigorously to incorporate the liquid evenly.
• Reheat gently: Reheat the sauce over low heat, stirring constantly, to avoid further thickening.

Cooking is all about trying new things and learning from your mistakes. With these handy tips, you can turn any kitchen mishap into a delicious success. Keep cooking and enjoy the process!