Ingredient faux pas

Mastering the contemporary kitchen requires juggling the right ingredients.
Sorry if you have a thing for any of these, this is my personal judgement that leads me to believe I am one step closer to gourmet greatness than all the others who feel as I do.
If any of these come in to your radar I would avoid them;

-semi and sundried tomatoes
they overpower anything they are served with
-cream in pasta (dash on occasion)
-avocado in pasta or served warm in any way
-tubed "fresh herbs", are they serious?
-tasty cheese in any italian dishes, Romans dont use coon.
-dead horse
save it for late night munchies, try stepping up to relishes, pickles and mustards
-sliced white bread
its too sweet and is air
-fish dishes served with cheese
-chicken breast in curries and stews, difficult for it to not become tough and dry
-starch on starch, pumpkin risotto is stodge on stodge.

-pesto, chorizo, tapenade, great ingredients, just dont combine them

there are many more, TBC

Herb substitutes

So often I get to finishing a dish or find a recipe and sure enough I dont have the right fresh herb. Who has a constant supply of all the herbs at their finger tips?
Not me, the balcony can only grow so many. So over the years I have learnt to improvise with whats at hand. Following is a guide to next best options to save you going down to the store.

No Parsley- mint or celery leaf (palest part)
No mint- basil, coriander
No basil- mint, oregano
No rosmary- thyme and opposite
No oregano- parsley, basil or marjoram
No marjoram- parsley, basil or oregano
No coriander- mint, thai basil
No kaffir lime leaf- lime zest
No dill- fennel tops, basil
No lemongrass- lemon zest

Poaching eggs

Salt , vinegar, swirling all have nothing on this.
Roll the egg in the simmering water back and fourth for approximately 20 seconds.
Remove from water then immediately crack in to water.
What you have done is partially set the shape of the egg just inside the shell before dropping in to water.
It should deliver poached eggs just like the ones at your local cafe.