Though master chefs may seem like superhumans at times, it’s important to remember that everybody makes mistakes. Whether you’re new to the kitchen or are a whisking wizard, you could surely benefit from learning how to cook your way out of any food flop. Here are ten simple mistakes you might be making in the kitchen and our easy antidotes to fix them.

**1. Not reading the recipe all the way through**

We’ve all gotten halfway through a last-minute cooking project just to learn that we’re missing an ingredient or are greeted with the dreaded words, “Chill overnight”. It happens to even the pros. Take the time before you pull out the mixing bowl to lay out all the ingredients you’ll need. Consider highlighting some important keywords in your recipes so you don’t face any surprises in the future.

2. Overheating chocolate

It’s way too easy to overestimate the time it takes to melt hard chocolate, leaving you with a grainy and separated mess. The sad news is, once chocolate is scorched, there’s not much you can do about it. When handling chocolate, slow and steady wins the race. If using a microwave, our rule of thumb is 20-30 second intervals with stirring in between. Remove it from heat when it’s just about liquid and stir until smooth.

3. Peeking in the oven too much

Baking is crazy exciting and the best part is getting to see your creation come to life. But quit peeking! Remember, the more you open the oven door during baking, the more cool air will enter which prevents proper rising. Set your baked goods up for success by giving them their full opportunity to grow. Plus, it leads to an even more dramatic reveal once the timer goes off. Skim through some of your favourite Bite Me cookbooks for some fun distraction as you wait.

Separating eggs is no joke and is a skill that takes time to perfect. Work to get not even a speck of yolk in your whites for the best results. Though everyone has their secret methods, we believe that the most foolproof way is to crack the egg into clean hands and let the whites slip through your fingers. Then, whip them with clean, dry beaters at high speed until stiff, voluminous peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat or your whites will turn grainy. Now, go make that dream meringue.

5. Overcrowding your pan

Even your veggies need personal space sometimes. An overcrowded pan leads to unequal distribution of heat. Leave some extra room for steam to escape as your ingredients cook and release moisture. Consider splitting your serving into two batches or adding a second pan.

6. Over-substituting

Don’t get us wrong, we’re big fans of clever hacks in the kitchen. But there reaches a point where too many ingredient exchanges will turn your recipe into a new creation entirely. Take the time to seek out a recipe that fits your available ingredients or dietary restrictions before clicking, “Preheat”.

Cooking doesn’t have to be a guessing game. You’re encouraged to dip your spoon in and try along the way. This way, you know what needs more salt or less time in the oven. Take this as permission to lick the bowl every now and then!

8. Using cold ingredients

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again- patience, in cooking, is a virtue. Devote the time to bringing your fridge ingredients to room temperature. Forgot to take your eggs out beforehand? Place them in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes to warm them. Your decadent desserts will thank us later.

9. Forgetting to grease your pan

Don’t let your hard work go to waste by failing to coat and line your baking dishes. Nothing hurts a chef’s soul more than a broken cake, which is why many recipes advise prepping your pan right off the bat. We agree and suggest thoroughly wiping all baking pans with butter or oil before popping them in the oven. Pro tip: cut long strips of parchment paper to sit inside your dishes. Once the dish has fully cooled, pull the tabs evenly upwards for easy removals.

food-photographer-jennifer-pallian-gRZYR210m0U-unsplash.jpg — 10. Expecting perfection every time

You’ve heard the cliche that baking is a science, but remember that it’s also an art. And even the best masterpieces can‘t be replicated day in and out. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself to make perfect work every time. Baking takes lots of trial and error and the occasional fail happens to even the most practiced chefs. Learn to love the process by putting down the knife when your creation looks, “good enough”.