10 Ways To Easily Upgrade Your Cooking
Taking your cooking up a notch doesn’t always mean making gourmet dishes or using fancy ingredients. It’s about refining your technique, exploring new flavors, and taking a bit more care with your food. Here are simple ways to easily upgrade your cooking.
Use Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs can transform a dish. Adding them at the right time (towards the end of cooking or as a garnish) preserves their aromatic qualities and adds vibrancy. Experiment with basil, thyme, parsley, or dill to enhance both the flavor and presentation of your meals.
Master the Art of Seasoning
Beyond just salt and pepper, seasoning is about balancing acidity, sweetness, and umami. Learn to use other flavor enhancers like citrus, vinegar, soy sauce, or even miso to build depth. Season at multiple stages of cooking for a well-rounded flavor profile.
Improve Your Knife Skills
Precision cuts can enhance the appearance of your dishes and improve the overall cooking process. A finely diced onion will cook more evenly, while beautiful slices of vegetables or fruits make a big impact on presentation. Plus, sharp knives make everything safer and more efficient.
Invest in Good Cookware
High-quality cookware like a heavy-duty skillet, a sharp chef’s knife, and durable baking sheets can make a big difference. Cookware that retains heat well helps create even cooking, while a good non-stick pan or cast iron skillet makes it easier to achieve that crispy, golden crust on meats and vegetables.
Learn to Balance Textures
Texture plays a huge role in how food is perceived. Combine creamy with crunchy (like mashed potatoes with crispy fried onions), soft with chewy (such as tender pasta with al dente vegetables), and light with rich (for example, a lemon sorbet with a rich chocolate cake). The contrast keeps dishes interesting and satisfying.
Embrace Umami
Umami, the “fifth taste,” adds richness and depth to dishes. Incorporate ingredients like mushrooms, aged cheeses (parmesan, for example), anchovies, miso, or soy sauce to boost umami flavors in your cooking. A sprinkle of Parmesan or a spoonful of miso paste can transform a simple dish into something amazing.
Enhance Your Sauces
A sauce can enhance even the most basic meal. Whether it’s a simple pan sauce made with butter, wine, and stock or a classic béchamel, learning to create and finish sauces properly can take your dishes from good to great. Add fresh herbs, a dash of vinegar, or a dollop of cream to add complexity and richness.
Cook with More Aromatics
Onions, garlic, ginger, shallots, and leeks are the foundation of so many flavorful dishes. Sautéing these ingredients first in oil or butter releases their natural sugars and creates a savory base for soups, stews, stir-fries, and sauces. Don’t rush this step! Give them time to soften and caramelize for deeper flavor.
Experiment with Acidity
Acidity brightens up dishes and adds balance to richness. A squeeze of lemon or lime, a splash of vinegar, or a drizzle of tamarind can bring a surprising lift to everything from salads to stews to meats. Find the balance between richness and acidity to create well-rounded dishes.
Focus on Presentation
Eating is a multi-sensory experience, and how a dish looks matters. Even if you’re cooking casually, taking a moment to plate your food thoughtfully can upgrade your meal. Use clean, simple plates, and think about color contrast, arrangement, and garnishes (a sprinkle of herbs, a dash of spice, or a few microgreens).