BONUS: Rock the Citrus

A rule of thumb among chefs and the single easiest trick for brightening the flavor of any dish, particularly recipes made with less salt, is to add a splash of lemon juice or stir in a finely grated bit of lime, lemon, or orange zest. When acidic ingredients like citrus (vinegar works too) are added to soups, salads, and entrées at the end of cooking they help brighten and round out flavors. It’s hard to miss the salt when your palate detects a fresh bite of citrus.

Kitchen tip: When zesting oranges, lemon, and limes, opt for organic varieties since their peels are free of waxes and chemicals.