The Simple Trick That Prevents You From Over-Seasoning Food
If you have ever really over-seasoned your food with too much of anything, then you know it can easily become inedible. It's a very slippery slope between a little salty and the point of having to toss an entire dish. This is why professional chefs follow one simple rule in their kitchens to avoid such catastrophes (via Stack Exchange).
All you have to do to keep yourself from over-seasoning your food is taste it as you cook. The more often you taste your food, the more likely your dish is going to be flavorful and delicious when it is done. Some home cooks on Reddit suggest tasting the dish at least three to four times throughout the cooking process. "Keep a soup spoon handy as a 'tasting spoon'. When you want to taste your cooking for possible seasoning adjustment, use the larger spoon (used for stirring your cooking) to scoop about a teaspoon of food onto your 'tasting spoon,'" suggests one commenter.
Taste with intention
Remember to mindfully taste as you cook, too. This means you should look for different elements in the dish so you can decide what else needs to be added. Taste for saltiness, spice or heat, acidity, and sweetness. When these different components of a dish are balanced, it creates something really delicious. Be sure to consider what ingredients you might need to balance out any overwhelming flavors. It can help to taste before and after adding more spices or seasonings so you understand how the dish tastes with each addition (via The Kitchn).
Another key point for taste-testing your food throughout the process is to get a really good, full bite. Oftentimes people only take a lick or a really small bite from the dish to try it. This is a major mistake. Without getting a full bite or mouthful, you cannot really taste everything in the dish. This can cause you to over-season even if you are sneaking tastes. So, make sure you get every element of the dish in one big bite when you do try it throughout the process.