According to Michelin-trained chef and potato queen Poppy O’Toole, there’s a mistake many of us make in the kitchen, but it can be easily corrected if you put your mind to it.
If you’re a foodie who struggles in the kitchen, you might be falling victim to a common mistake.
Michelin-trained chef Poppy O’Toole has revealed that many fail to find their place in the kitchen because they lack “confidence”. You might not think this makes a huge difference, but it can really hold you back.
Not only can it cause you to overcook food out of fear, but it can also cause you to ruin ingredients by over-whisking or turning them. Also, if you deviate a little, you may not stick to the recipe correctly.
Poppy told us exclusively: “I think one of the biggest mistakes people make in the kitchen is not having the confidence to throw themselves into the kitchen.
“For example, when people see ‘pan fry for eight minutes,’ people get a little scared and want to touch it and turn it, but what we’re looking for is that caramelization, so it’s just about having the confidence to leave well alone”.
In addition to trusting the process, it’s important to give yourself enough time to complete the job properly. Poppy said that because “everyone is busy,” they may rush through things.
However, resist the temptation to do this: often the best things happen when you give it time. Poppy gave the example of a bechamel sauce he made and let it cook for 30 minutes, rather than rushing it like he normally would, and said it was the “best” she had ever made.
She described the sauce as “beautiful,” “perfect,” and “silky smooth,” even stating that it had “more flavor” and “no mealy texture” that béchamel can sometimes have.
Poppy added: “Don’t be too eager to do things.” She recommends going slower, because that’s when magic can really happen in the kitchen.
Poppy O’Toole has teamed up with McCain for the launch of its new range of air fryer fries, exclusively supported by Ninja, and comes in Deep Ridge Crinkle Cut and French Fries. The air fryer range is available now for £3.20 from Tesco, Asda, Iceland and more.
Have a story to share? Email: [email protected].
