Even the most careful of cooks can sometimes end up with a dish that’s too salty, a soup that’s too spicy, or a dessert that’s too sweet. In such situations, having some handy tips and tricks up your sleeve can help rectify these cooking mistakes. Here are some quick fixes you can apply to save your overseasoned dishes.
Fixing Oversalted Dishes
The simplest way to tone down an overly salty curry, soup, or dish is to add a bit of boiling water. You can also add acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar to help balance out the saltiness.
Another trick is to add a touch of sugar to your salty dish. This is especially useful for sauces, soups, and curries. Potatoes are also a great salt absorber; adding a peeled potato to your dish will help neutralize the flavor.
To avoid oversalting in the future, it’s best to add salt at the end of the cooking process. When cooking vegetables, add a pinch of salt at a time, tasting as you go. With time and practice, you’ll develop a sense of how much salt is needed for different dishes.
Taming Spicy Dishes
An easy way to tame a spicy dish is to add stock or broth. If your rice, cereal, noodles, pasta, or vegetables are too spicy, simply add a bit of liquid to dilute the heat.
Adding nut butters like almond or peanut butter to your soup will not only enhance the flavor but also reduce the spice level and give it a creamy texture.
Dairy products can also balance out the spiciness of a dish without altering the flavor profile. Depending on your preference, you can add milk, fresh cream, or even yogurt to tone down the heat.
Sweetness Savior
If you’re baking a cake or making a chocolate dessert, the best way to balance the sweetness is to add some unsweetened cocoa powder. The bitterness of the cocoa will instantly transform the dish.
Additionally, a pinch of salt, apple cider vinegar, wine, or lemon juice can also help cut through the sweetness. These ingredients not only reduce the sugar level but also give a pleasant tang to the dish.
Furthermore, fats like butter or olive oil can also take the edge off an overly sweet dish. Olive oil and butter add a lovely aroma and a rich, savory mouthfeel.
Source: Emdep.vn