Akul Balaji's tips, for men to master their kitchen

Though only occasionally, television star Akul Balaji is fond of cooking. And thanks to the ongoing lockdown, he has been able to spend more time in the kitchen to nurture his hobby. The self professed upma expert is trying out several new and easy recipes and in the process, treating his wife Jo and son Krish to a few specials. "One of which was the matar pulao that Ragini Dwivedi had shared online," he shares, adding, "I also made the signature, traditional dal that my mother makes and even made evening tea for my wife and son.It has been fun." For those men who might be venturing into their kitchens for the first time during the lockdown, Akul shares five essential tips to help them become masters...
1. Know your kitchen:
"You need to understand your kitchen and know where everything is located. It can be a daunting task to search for things once you begin cooking. So, familiarise yourself first."
2. Follow recipes:
"We all have someone who is the expert cook at home. This could be our mother, grandmother, in-laws or anyone. Ask them for recipes. If you follow the recipe right, you can't go wrong."
3. Be prepared:
"Always have all your ingredients ready and available. If you start looking for things midway while cooking, you might end up spoiling the dish."
4. Use salt with discretion:
"Salt is the most important ingredient in any dish. Make sure to use it with discretion. Add just a little while cooking, so there is scope to adjust later. In case you have used too much salt, add freshly chopped tomatoes or boiled potatoes to balance it out."
5. Keep it simple:
"Don't be ambitious with what you choose to make. The simpler your dish, the easier it is for you to excel in making it. Just remember to make it with a lot of love."
"And don't forget to tidy up once you've finished cooking," Akul signs off with sage advice.