If you’re tired of eating mushy pasta and rubbery mussels, you’ll be happy to discover that it doesn’t take much to perfect the nitpicky aspects of cooking some of your favorite dishes. Small technique tweaks can make a big difference when it comes to the way your final dish turns out. Many of the most common mistakes are easily avoidable.

Check out these tips and you’ll find yourself impressing your friends and family with your cooking chops in no time.

2How to make risotto the right way

Toasting your rice is a crucial step in the process. Arborio is a type of rice that holds up well to absorbing liquid without breaking down completely. Even so, you want to be careful when you cook it. Make sure your rice is cooked to just a toasty golden color before adding the wine to the pot. Burning it during this step leaves a bitter taste in your finished dish. Not toasting it enough will yield grains that are too hard to bite.

And make sure you stir, stir, stir. Get your exercise in while you’re cooking. Risotto requires elbow grease, meaning you’ll need to stir continuously to produce creamy results that don’t stick to the bottom and sides of the pot. Part of this dish’s charm lies in its need for constant care. Since you’re adding stock in increments until it’s absorbed into the rice, it’s important to roll up those shirtsleeves and stir after each addition.

Lastly, be patient with your risotto and you will be rewarded tenfold. Ingredients are incorporated in stages to build flavor and to give the rice enough time to achieve its ultra desirable consistency. Follow your recipe closely and cook ingredients in order. Timing is everything. And even if you feel like you just can’t stir anymore, don’t dump all the stock in at once. Give your risotto the time it requires.