Green Leaf Shape

The Absolute WORST Cooking Tips You'll Ever Hear

Sauté onion and garlic at the same time

Adding garlic to the pan at the same time as onions is a common mistake. Garlic cooks very quickly, and the smaller it’s been chopped or minced, the faster it will cook.

Spices can be added at any stage

Most spices should be lightly toasted at the beginning of cooking to release their aromas.

Celery leaves have no use

Often ignored, celery leaves (or celery tops) are like a herb in their own right and can be used as such.

Tomatoes need refrigerating

Tomatoes are just one of the surprising foods that shouldn't be refrigerated – both the texture and taste are badly affected by the cold.

Scrambled eggs need milk

For the perfect scrambled eggs, you need do nothing more than give eggs and seasoning a vigorous whisk before cooking them in hot butter.

Eggs can be poached in any pan

For the perfect poached egg, you need a deep pan and the freshest eggs you can source.

It's OK to bake with cold eggs and dairy

These products may seem fresher straight out of the fridge but cooking with cold produce can create a dense bake.

Pancake batter needs whisking

Over-whisking batter can overwork the gluten and remove air – that means chewy pancakes that aren't fluffy.

Cook meat straight from the fridge

For an even cook and a browned exterior, it’s better to let meat sit at room temperature for a short while before cooking.