Stirring incorrectly
Stirring seems like a no-brainer. Mixing a soup, stew, or whatever just means pushing the stuff around with a ladle or wooden spoon, right? Sure, it is, but it doesn’t mean that you’re not doing it entirely wrong, according to some pro chefs.
Stirring the pot serves three purposes. First, to incorporate a thickening or thinning agent into the dish recipe. Second, to even out the temperature of the pot’s contents. Third, well, to mix the ingredients together. If you’re reheating a pot of soup or stew, you don’t need to stir at all. In fact, stirring can break the ingredients down even further, leaving you with an unappealing but still delicious meal.