Helpful Seasoning Hints
Unlike baking, there aren’t any set and fast rules when it comes to basic cooking. If you observe an experienced chef, you’ll notice that they rarely, if ever, meter out the seasonings and spices they use in there cuisine. This is because the amount of seasoning you use when cooking doesn’t affect the consistency or cooking time like it does in baking. And since fresh ingredients like meat, fish, poultry and produce vary greatly in their flavor depending on the season and region they come from, the necessary seasonings will be different every time you step into the kitchen.
Many home cooks make the mistake of seasoning all of their food the same. Certain foods, such as most fish and crustaceans, have naturally high levels of sodium. So it probably isn’t necessary to whip out the salt mill. The best way to determine the proper blend of seasonings is through simple experimentation. Once you have a grasp of the flavor profile of various foods, you’ll naturally be able to discern which spices will meld best with the natural flavors.