Whether you’re trying a new recipe, a quick and easy dinner favourite or improvising on your own, there are still some golden rules to follow when it comes to cooking.

1. Taste as you go When adding basic seasoning like salt, sugar or pepper, always taste as you go. A good rule for savoury recipes is to add a pinch of salt every time you add new ingredients.

2. Herb time Add dry herbs at the beginning and fresh herbs at the end. Dry herbs take a while to develop their flavour in a dish, while fresh herbs taste best as they are, so stir them in at the end or even after cooking.

3. Prep first It’s no surprise that cleaning, chopping and measuring all of your ingredients before cooking is a smart idea. Keep your prepped ingredients in different bowls or boards so you can access them easily and avoid having to stop and prepare mid-recipe.

4. Add acid If your meal is tasting a little flat, try adding some lemon juice or a splash of vinegar. The sourness will add depth to your meal, competing with bitter flavours and brightening others.

5. Know when not to follow a recipe Everybody’s oven, stove-top and kitchen appliances are different. If a recipe suggests cooking something for 20 minutes, keep in mind how it should look or smell after (e.g. golden brown) and aim for that instead.