Whether you’re trying a new recipe, a quick and easy dinner favourite or improvising on your own, there are still some golden rules to follow when it comes to cooking.

1. Taste as you go: When adding basic seasoning like salt, sugar or pepper, always taste as you go. A good rule for savoury recipes is to add a pinch of salt every time you add new ingredients.
2. Herb time: Add dry herbs at the beginning and fresh herbs at the end. Dry herbs take a while to develop their flavour in a dish, while fresh herbs taste best as they are, so stir them in at the end or even after cooking.
3. Prep first: It’s no surprise that cleaning, chopping and measuring all of your ingredients before cooking is a smart idea. Keep your prepped ingredients in different bowls or boards so you can access them easily and avoid having to stop and prepare mid-recipe.
4. Add acid: If your meal is tasting a little flat, try adding some lemon juice or a splash of vinegar. The sourness will add depth to your meal, competing with bitter flavours and brightening others.
5. Know when not to follow a recipe: Everybody’s oven, stove-top and kitchen appliances are different. If a recipe suggests cooking something for 20 minutes, keep in mind how it should look or smell after (e.g. golden brown) and aim for that instead.