Final answer:
Adjusting the seasoning means to taste the food and fine-tune flavors with seasonings such as salt, pepper, and acids to enhance its natural taste just before serving.
Step-by-step explanation:
When someone refers to “adjust the seasoning”, they are talking about tasting the food toward the end of its cooking time and then fine-tuning flavors to ensure the dish tastes balanced and flavorful. The primary seasonings commonly used to make these adjustments are salt, pepper, and acids like lemon juice, all of which serve to enhance the natural flavors of food without overshadowing them. It is considered best practice to start with a lighter hand when adding seasonings during the cooking process and then to add more if needed just before the dish is served, a practice sometimes referred to as “layering.” Effective seasoning can result in a dish where the natural flavors of the ingredients are highlighted and the overall taste experience is satisfying.