Techniques
Prep
Tip
Beginner
1 min

Keep a landing plate ready to stop cooking immediately when food is done

Set out a plate ahead of time so you can remove food from the pan right away and prevent overcooking.

Before you start, place an empty plate near the stove. When food is done, transfer it off the hot pan immediately instead of searching for a plate while it continues to cook.

The short version

  • Have a plate ready before you cook
  • Transfer food off the pan to stop cooking

What you need

  • plateUsed as a landing zone for finished food

What goes wrong

Waiting to find a plate after food is done

Stage the plate next to the stove before you start

Why it works

Food continues cooking from residual heat in the pan; moving it off heat quickly helps hit the right doneness.

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