Venture into the Kitchen with Me

The kitchen can absolutely be one of the most terrifying places in the house. Not because it’s haunted (hopefully!), but because it’s an intimidating part of the house to use. There’s more than one of us that aspire to be good cooks. The first step is as easy as it sounds. I want you to promise me you won’t give up on the first mistake. Pinky promise!

The stretch between a good cook and a good taster, feels stretched and winding. Because learning how to cook is a lot more effort than sticking to frozen foods or takeout. Cooking is one of those skills that feel intimidating just because of how it’s portrayed. We have to unlearn this idea that cooking good food is black and white. When in reality, it’s more like a staircase. You start at the bottom and take it one step at a time. You don’t have to be the best cook before you even pick up a pot or pan.

Keeping the Kitchen Clean

It has brought me so much peace to clean after ever step in the kitchen. Once the kitchen is yours alone at home. Then the more neat and organized the cooking process the more you can immerse yourself in it. And, have less to clean post eating! Your kitchen will never be stressful when there’s time to clean as we go. A safe time for Instagram pictures too if you fancy!

How to Clean as you Cook

The most annoying thing about cooking, naturally, is the clean up. The best solution that’s been passed down to me for thing is cleaning up as you go. Cooking tends to have some built in empty time. While things pre heat, cook, simmer, etc. During those moments, I clean whatever dishes are currently in the sink. As the meal gets closer to being done, I only leave a few things in the sink. That way, post meal all that’s really left to clean is whatever pots and pans, and serving utensils. Besides the plate I eat on, of course!

This is Why You Need a Kitchen Apron

Another fun part of keeping clean is getting yourself a cute apron! I have a small collection of 3 aprons that I love to cycle. It’s absolutely heart breaking to get grease on clothes. Especially since the times it’s happened to me, I didn’t notice until the stain was more set. You want to make the experience as clean as possible. Because that’s what makes it tempting to do again. It makes the experience feel more like something out of a TV show!

Make Cooking as Simple as Possible

The first few recipes are the most satisfying. Why? Because they’re simple and easy and don’t ask too much of you. Cooking can get so overwhelming so fast. By keeping the recipes simple you take away intermediate complexities that only add stress. Scheduling cook days, and which meal you’re cooking is a really effective way to minimize as many unknown factors as possible.

Use Simple Recipes

Simple recipes are also easier to remember! Those times when I’m really down and out, they come through! Especially on days I don’t feel like cooking, having a simple recipe. Helps me get in the kitchen and get it done! Even if I’ve repeated the same recipe half a dozen times. The feeling of satisfaction never goes away! With each simple step, I can feel my kitchen confidence getting stronger. Simple recipes are champions of building basic skills too!

The Recipe Hierarchy

Start graduating to recipes that require a lot of different times to be met. This is the perfect in-between for technique and time management. I’ve heard a lot of people who love to cook talk a lot about the key to cooking being timing. Only second after measuring. So recipes that require different times for different aspect are more like the second step. The third being recipes that require precise weighted measurements and a lot of different times.

Following the Recipe vs Eyeballing it

From the start, it is my philosophy to be a recipe woman! While, you can certainly learn to cook by eyeballing it. It makes the situation so much more stressful. Because, how will you recreate it? This way of learning relies heavily on good memory. Repetition is the way to memorizing a recipe but, better a recipe. Than to remember (or explain!) how much you eyeballed it.

Write Down the Cooking Recipes

I’ve taken the habit of writing down every online recipe I’ve enjoyed into my own personal cookbook. With my final product pictures, it brings me a lot of joy. Plus! When I’m undoubtedly craving the same thing again. I have a recipe that I know I like. It’s more personal to rewrite recipes in a separate place. For me it feels like a way of committing myself to the vision of the final product.

Starting Your Recipe Collection

Will there be recipes that are bummers? Sure! But we learn from those times. Whether to add more seasoning or less. The recipes that bring you joy in making them. They are worth searching for. The only way to know if you’ll like it is to try it! Having a group of recipes to choose from is also good for practicing cooking skills beyond measurements and times. Like seasoning! Seasonings are the simplest thing to switch on a recipe to make the most impact. I’m personally planning on trying my hand at making a spicy chicken sandwich soon! Is there a recipe you’ve been wanting to try? Reply to this email! 🥄

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