Conquer the kitchen - learning to enjoy cooking
For some people, cooking is a natural way of being. The rest of us will probably walk into the kitchen thinking about the many ways things could go wrong. The good news is, the kitchen fright is normal and it doesn't have to stay. If you think you are and always be a terrible cook, let yourself prove you wrong. Cooking is an experience that does not have to be a negative, stressful one. But how can you conquer the kitchen?
Focus on the process
Cooking is a skill that you are perfectly capable of learning, but you won't turn into a pro chef overnight. If your sole focus is the end goal then every day until you reach your aim will feel like a failure. One of the first things I learned to make is scrambled eggs. Most would probably consider that super easy, but I took pride in my scrambled eggs. In fact, I still do. I might be able to make them without thinking, but there is always something to try and something to learn. Focus on these small details, how you made something alone for the first time, how you did something you couldn't do before etc. These are the things that matter because every day you try, you win a little.
Set your own rules
There are certain golden rules on how long should something take, what goes with what and so on. These are good guidelines, but often nothing more. The recipe might not be yours, but the dish is, so make it how you want it to be. Season it based on now how someone tells you to, but on what you like. You should experiment with flavours, combinations, times and equipment, but don't forget that you always have the right to change your mind as well. Something you thought you couldn't stand might become your favourite meal later on, when you mix things up. And remember: other people will do the same, so be respectful of their choices (a.k.a. don't make fun of them for liking something you don't or vice versa).
Befriend failure
It is inevitable that sometimes things don't go according to plan. So many times did I try to make a cake, only to end up with something that would probably be more appreciated in an art gallery. The reason why you need to accept and embrace failure is because there is a lot to be learned from it. Failure teaches you how to come up with last minute solutions and what not to do again. Most importantly, failure can teach you to find humour instead of stress and embarrassment. There is nothing shameful about trying to make a dish and not getting it right. You are that much closer to success. Do you really think pro chefs always get it right? Ask the burnt onion.
So how will you conquer the kitchen?
Focus on the process
Cooking is a skill that you are perfectly capable of learning, but you won't turn into a pro chef overnight. If your sole focus is the end goal then every day until you reach your aim will feel like a failure. One of the first things I learned to make is scrambled eggs. Most would probably consider that super easy, but I took pride in my scrambled eggs. In fact, I still do. I might be able to make them without thinking, but there is always something to try and something to learn. Focus on these small details, how you made something alone for the first time, how you did something you couldn't do before etc. These are the things that matter because every day you try, you win a little.
Set your own rules
There are certain golden rules on how long should something take, what goes with what and so on. These are good guidelines, but often nothing more. The recipe might not be yours, but the dish is, so make it how you want it to be. Season it based on now how someone tells you to, but on what you like. You should experiment with flavours, combinations, times and equipment, but don't forget that you always have the right to change your mind as well. Something you thought you couldn't stand might become your favourite meal later on, when you mix things up. And remember: other people will do the same, so be respectful of their choices (a.k.a. don't make fun of them for liking something you don't or vice versa).
Befriend failure
It is inevitable that sometimes things don't go according to plan. So many times did I try to make a cake, only to end up with something that would probably be more appreciated in an art gallery. The reason why you need to accept and embrace failure is because there is a lot to be learned from it. Failure teaches you how to come up with last minute solutions and what not to do again. Most importantly, failure can teach you to find humour instead of stress and embarrassment. There is nothing shameful about trying to make a dish and not getting it right. You are that much closer to success. Do you really think pro chefs always get it right? Ask the burnt onion.
So how will you conquer the kitchen?
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