Habits 101: Learning to Cook

 
I believe that a key principle that every adult (and teen!) should know is how to cook a few meals. While takeout is amazing, and restaurants are an experience unlike any other, there is something so rewarding about having the ability to create, prepare, and enjoy a meal you or a loved one made from scratch. Many of my best memories of childhood aren’t the most uncommon experiences, but they’re the ones like sitting in my grandmother’s kitchen while she made toast or learning how to fry fish with my mom.

Since I (like many of you) have a busy schedule, here are a few tips for learning how to create simple, filling meals!

 

Acquire Basic Skills

First things first! How should you hold a knife (hint: it’s more complicated than you think!)? What size pans should I buy first? The best roundup I found of basic skills is at the Kitchn’s website and if you’re looking for what equipment you need to start your culinary adventure, the Workweek Lunch has an excellent list.

 

Trust an Expert!

Okay, as you know, this isn’t a food blog (although I do love a good meal!) But I think the simplest way to learn a few basic skills is to find easy to prepare recipes with simple ingredients. There are many amazing recipes with complicated lists of ingredients – and those have their place – but as a novice, finding trustworthy food blogs is the best way to dip your toe in the world of cooking. A few of my favorites are Minimalist Baker (for many plant-based and simple recipes…especially baking!), Budget Bytes (for delicious main courses broken out by cost per serving), Food Heaven and Pinch of Yum.

 

Figure Out YOUR Staples

Cooking can be exhausting if you constantly try new recipes every night of the week. Instead, simplify and figure out what you and your family like on a consistent basis and later mix in a few new things – that can keep your cooking journey exciting. I think that finding 5-7 easy dinner meals that you enjoy and can prepare in 20-30 minutes. Here’s some ideas to get you started: 1) Pizza night; 2) Taco night; 3) Spaghetti; 4) Fancy Salad; 5) Breakfast for Dinner! What would you add to the list?

For breakfast and lunch, meal prepping at the beginning (or end) of the week can be a time saver for your particularly busy days. Need some tips on how to meal prep? Check out my blog on meal planning for some key tips!

 

Happy cooking!! 

 

As you get a bit more comfortable, here’s a few more resources:  

• Eater's "If You Literally Never Cook, Start Here"  
•  Food and Wine's "10 Dishes Every Beginner Cook Should Master"  (this one is for the advanced beginners out there!)
• An absolute go to, “I don’t feel like cooking but I’m hungry and I forgot to stop at the grocery store” dinner: NYTimes Cooking's Spaghetti with Fried Eggs Recipe