How to taste something, then figure out "what it needs"

How to taste something, then figure out "what it needs" A GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS (u should probably save this) When a cook adjusts something on the fly, it might seem like their brain just hit some kind of slot machine style jackpot with the perfect combination of ingredients. Of course! Peanut butter and JELLY! I was so stupid for shrimp before... But it's a simpler process. We like to think of it like being a doctor. Find the right diagnosis, and then prescribe whatever treatment fixes the problem. Then take a Vicodin and push everyone away from you. Medicine attacks specific illnesses or problems. Ingredients and seasonings can do the same! So here are four possible "diagnoses" and their proper "prescriptions." What do you mean you're not "in- network" for chili? Wtf are you saying? I don't make the rules. You gotta pay out of pocket. Diagnosis #1: "Needs salt" Symptoms: Food tastes... • Bland • Like nothing • Less than the sum of its parts It will feel like someone turned the volume down on all of your ingredients, even though their flavor should be loud and clear. You will notice blandness immediately because let's face it, bland food suckssss. Good thing it's the easiest fix :) Prescription(s): Salt Diagnosis #2: "Needs acid" Symptoms: Food tastes... • Incomplete • Almost good • Boring • Flat It's fine, but it's not delicious. It's meh, like the last season of Lost. It's good because it's Lost, but it left a lot to be desired. When something's not bad, but it's not great either, acid is usually what you need. It will wake everything up. Prescription(s): Lemon juice, lime juice, any vinegar, pickled veggies Diagnosis #3: "Needs fat" Symptoms: Food tastes... • Harsh • Too strong • Rough around the edges • Dry This one is hard to diagnose. The ingredients won't seem like they're melding. It might taste a little... skinny or watery. Like almond milk or a gym bro's "cottage cheese spicy ranch dressing protein pudding you can't tell the difference" recipe. Prescription(s): Olive oil, creamy sauce (yogurt, sour cream), mayo- based sauce, sesame oil, avocado Diagnosis #4: "It's perfect" Symptoms: Food tastes... • Like anything else would ruin it • Exactly like you hoped • Like a symphony If your first thought after tasting it is "oh lemme get another bite of that sh*t..." it's probably pretty perfect. Or if you audibly say something like "mamma mia!" then we would leave it alone. Prescription(s): Firmly shake your own hand and congratulate yourself, the way you always wished your Dad would Yes, we know that these might seem a bit abstract. But next time you taste something, try your hardest to see if any of these diagnoses feel right. You might be surprised how adept your brain is at noticing these things. "This sriracha mayo is a bit strong, needs more mayo, or maybe even sesame oil" "My guac is almost there, time for a little lime juice" "There's a lot of garlic in here, but I can't taste it, needs salt" "My pasta is dry... Time to prescribe a bit of olive oil" "This quesadilla is boring, could use some pickled onions" The easy quick only new fun way to change your life. Download on the App Store GET IT ON Google Play Like Duolingo, but for cooking zest