human
I'm a beginner at cooking. What are some of the most common mistakes that people make in the kitchen?
assistant
1. Overcooking food – it’s important to pay attention to the texture and temperature of your food when you're cooking, so don't let it get too soft or too hot.
2. Not reading labels on ingredients – if an ingredient is unfamiliar to you, look up its nutrition facts before using it in a recipe.
3. Using too much salt – while salt can add flavor to food, overusing it can lead to an overly salty dish.
4. Not measuring correctly – recipes typically call for specific measurements of ingredients, so be sure to measure them accurately.
5. Forgetting to preheat your oven – this can cause uneven baking times and temperatures.
6. Burning food – never leave food unattended while cooking, as it may burn easily.