I'm a trained chef. Here are the 6 mistakes I see home cooks make that sabotage their meals.

I've learned that most missteps happen during small moments during the cooking process. 10'000 Hours/Getty Images As a trained chef , I believe the key to cooking a great meal is following the kitchen basics. Resting protein at room temperature before and after cooking it improves the texture and flavor. Without properly preheating a pan or oven, a dish is doomed before it ever hits heat. Most cooking disasters don't result from botching fancy techniques, and I say that as someone who graduated from a top Parisian culinary institute and has over 30 years of professional cooking experience. In truth, it's small, inconspicuous habits that sabotage most dishes. I believe that excellent cooking isn't about mastering complicated techniques or buying expensive ingredients . It's about paying attention to kitchen fundamentals and respecting the cooking process. Fixing these common missteps, which I see repeatedly from cooks of all levels, can make a noticeable difference in foods' flavor and texture. Applying heat to protein too soon can cause it to cook unevenly. I remove my salmon from the refrigerator at least 15 minutes before I cook it. George Duran Taking protein straight from the refrigerator and throwing it into a hot pan is one of the fastest ways to cook it unevenly. The exterior cooks at a faster rate than the interior, so it's overdone by the time the center is cooked. I let meat or fish sit at room temperature before I cook it for a more even result. Exact timing depends on the protein — fish fillets usually only need 15 minutes, whereas thick pieces of chicken breasts , pork chops, or steaks benefit from 30 minutes to an hour on the counter. I stick to this rule regardless of whether I cook the protein in my sauté pan, griddle, or grill. It's become somewhat second nature. Whenever I make a thick ribeye steak or a side of salmon for guests, I make a mental note to start the cooking process by pulling the meat or fish out of the refrigerator before prepping ev