Picture this. You’re mid cooking when someone walks in, takes one look at what you’re doing, and gasps like you’ve committed a crime. You’ve heard it all before. “Don’t do that, you’ll ruin it.” You smile, carry on, and the dish turns out perfect.

That’s the thing about cooking mistakes. Half of them aren’t mistakes at all. They’re kitchen hacks that look wrong, feel wrong, and somehow taste very right. There’s a reason behind each one, and once you know it, you’ll start spotting them in every kitchen you walk into. Consider these cooking tips your cue to smile and carry on.

Next time someone calls it a mistake, hand them a plate. What’s the kitchen habit you always get side-eyed for? Drop it in the comments.