10 Things… Our Mams Taught Us About Cooking

Whether you're a natural cook or "just get by" in the kitchen, you've probably inherited all of your culinary knowledge from your mam and she's always the person you call when you're having a crisis in the kitchen. With that in mind, here are 10 things our mams have taught us about cooking.

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Stick to the recipe Experimentation in the kitchen usually leads to one thing: hunger. They are professional chefs for a reason. Taste before you serve It's the only way to learn and ensure that you're not giving your family something that tastes disgusting. Always preheat the oven/oil the pan/warm the plates Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Don't skimp on the wine Be it in the food or as an accompaniment, nothing beats a good glass (or two) of vino. Go easy with the (insert word here) There's seasoning and then there's ruining. The distinction is VERY important. Vegetables aren't vegetables without a bit of butter thrown in Regina, butter is your best friend and makes vegetables taste delightful. Check your spaghetti is ready by throwing it at the wall While we've heard that this isn't strictly true, we still do it. Any excuse to throw food! There's no such thing as too much Portion control? Don't make us laugh. We'll take another helping. You'll never make it as good as her, she'll never make it as good as granny True story. Always clean up after yourself A necessary evil and a shortcut to learning about the joys of "steeping the dishes."