Cooking in your kitchen is beneficial in so many ways. In a culture where we’re so used to instant gratification, getting the hang of cooking during a busy schedule and actually enjoying it can be an intimidating endeavor. We have put together some words of encouragement—just because, when a recipe doesn’t go our way, it’s easy to want to give up.
1) Try something different. Absolutely no delicious recipes started out from a cook book or television show. All recipes and cooking methods are the result of trial-and-errors in the kitchen that eventually work. Go ahead and experiment. Learn what works within a recipe so you are able to modify and experiment with it to your liking.
2) Spend time with your children and/or significant other. It’s easy for our schedules to become so hectic we don’t even know what day it is. Use cooking as a way to make time to do something together with your kids and loved one; it is fun to get involved together and is a great time to bond. Create unforgettable memories even if the food isn’t photo ready, but still tastes delish!
3) Don’t be afraid to fail. Even the most detrimental end result of a recipe can nevertheless be used in your garden compost. Plus, baking made from scratch is affordable. A few dollars invested to bake a terrible dessert is quite affordable considering how much you can gain knowledge from the experience.
4) Stay fresh. When it comes to active ingredients, seek out garden-fresh and organic food items when you can. Also, be open to try new world cooking foods from different cultures. Try out a new robust curry inspired from India or a delicate peanut Thai dish. You’d be surprised of the amazing recipes, flavors and textures out there—the benefits you gain from experimenting with diverse ethnic dishes are quite exhilarating, actually.
5) Save a ton of money. Not only is it gratifying to prepare a delicious meal to share with your friends and family, but it pays to eat in. If you go out even a couple of times a week with an average bill of $25 per meal…that’s $50 = $200 a month = a whopping $2400 a year! When you choose to eat in, you save literally hundreds of dollars. Of course, there is nothing wrong with going out every once and again.
6) Make use of quality cookware and your oven. There is a difference between quality and price. Quality kitchen products can last you a lifetime if you take very good care of them. If you need to revamp your kitchen and go to a supplier, don't get sucked into purchasing every item especially if you won't use them. Are you in the market to look for a new oven/range/stove? Make sure to look over our suggestions and guide for your next purchase.
7) Stay consistent. Food can be picky and even a tiny adjust may cause a different outcome. Make sure to use accurate measuring cups and spoons along with a thermometer in your oven.
8) Don’t sweat the small stuff; enjoy yourself and have fun! If you get stressed out while preparing your recipe and you start to create goof ups, take it one step at a time; don't forget, it’s okay to get a little messy sometimes.
Photo by: Nicole Abalde
