How to counteract too much oregano in a recipe? (5 ways)
In this brief guide, we will answer the question, “How to counteract too much oregano in a recipe?”. We will elaborate on the different ways that will help you counteract too much oregano in a recipe.
How to counteract too much oregano in a recipe?
Oregano is a herb with a characteristic pungent taste that can be easily overdone. It is most commonly added in savoury dishes to enhance their flavours such as meats, pasta sauce, and soups; but, it can ruin your recipe if added in abundance.
If you have mistakenly added too much oregano to your recipe and are desperately searching for ways to counteract it, do not worry, here we have prepared a long list of ways to help you counteract too much oregano to your recipe, and to make it suitable to serve.
- Physically remove the oregano
- Strain the oregano with a cheesecloth
- Add potato
- Cook for longer
- Dilute the dish
Physically remove the oregano
You can physically remove the excess oregano from your recipe. However, this method does not work well, if you have added dried and crumbled oregano to your recipe.
Simply separate the oregano from the soup or sauce using a ladle-sized slotted spoon just when you recognise your fault. If the oregano is on the surface of the meat, you can easily wash it off before reseasoning.
In case the oregano has flavoured your preparation by the time you realise your mistake, you will then have to apply any of the different tips from the options we have given but you must still attempt to extract it first. Neglecting it in will add more flavour to your preparation.
Strain the oregano with a cheesecloth
You can also strain the extra oregano by using a cheesecloth. Pour the contents of the recipe over a sheet of cheesecloth in a different container.
Taste the recipe once strained to decide how to balance the ingredients. You may need to re-season with salt and spice that were extracted with the oregano.
Add potato
Potato consists of starch and has a mild flavour. A peeled and boiled half-cut potato can be added to the recipe to counteract too much oregano.
Put the half-boiled potato into the dish. The potato will absorb some of the excess flavours from the oregano that could not be collected with the cheesecloth.
Remove the potato once tender and serve your meal as if nothing happened.
Taste the dish to decide whether any further effort is required to counteract the oregano flavour.
Cook for some more time
Oregano continues to release flavour the longer it is heated; but, it will not do so endlessly. The flavour will reduce ultimately. If the recipe you are cooking can be heated for some added time, simply extend the cooking time to dissolve the oregano flavour. Excluding the oregano, prior to this step can work to reduce the time you will require.
Dilute the dish
If none of the above suggestions actually worked for you, you will have to decide between whether to dilute your recipe or waste it.
Double the recipe: You can then add more of all other ingredients that make the base of your recipe to counteract the flavour of too much oregano.
For instance, if you are cooking spaghetti sauce and the recipe directs 1 tin of tomato paste, add 1 more tin of tomato paste but do not add any oregano this time.
Similarly, add one more cup of chicken broth if you have mistakenly added too much oregano while cooking a soup.
Mix well and allow to simmer for some more time so the flavours blend. Diluting the oregano will dilute other flavours as well, so taste the dish to determine what else is needed.
Continue multiplying ingredients as required. Start with the main ingredients first, after then add the seasonings, mixing thoroughly and tasting between every addition.
You may have to add other flavours, but by multiplying the quantity of tomato paste, you have directly divided the amount of oregano in the recipe, neutralizing its taste somewhat. You may then reserve the extra amount for a separate recipe or store it for later use.
Discard half of it: Another not-so-good option is to divide the dish in half and then add fresh ingredients excluding the oregano. You can then refrigerate the half that you separated for later use or waste it.
We hope these tricks will benefit you. Still, if nothing works for you, don’t be worried. Learn from your mistakes and cook all over again.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have provided an answer to the question, “How to counteract too much oregano in a recipe?”. We have also elaborated on the different ways that will help you counteract too much oregano in a recipe.
