If year-ago me had read the title of this post, I probably would have been really surprised. I’ve talked about my journey with cooking before, but I wanted to take today and give an official blog update.
As a quick background, before getting married I had a lot of experience with baking but almost none with cooking. My mom is a great cook, so I just always let her take the lead on that front. Also, I lived in a dorm all through college, meaning I never had my own kitchen to start exploring early on. This all meant I was very, very unknowledgeable once we got married and started living together last December.
I really did earnestly try to make meals I had found through searching “easy meals” on Pinterest, and everything turned out good for the most part. The actual process of cooking was NOT enjoyable for me though. I couldn’t think or do anything else while cooking, and I would get really stressed and sort-of panicky. Preston would try to come chat with me while I was cooking, and I would get really flustered and say “I CANNOT TALK RIGHT NOW,” haha I am embarrassed thinking about it now.
Then, COVID-19 hit, and we worked from home exclusively for MONTHS. But, I still didn’t immediately get obsessed with cooking because the act of going to the grocery store (and the sudden shortage on a TON of ingredients) gave me serious anxiety.
I persisted though, and I also started looking at more time-intensive, yet classic recipes. Roasted chicken, chilis, Guiness pie, casseroles, etc.
I had a lot more time to work on the meals, both because we weren’t going anywhere on the weekends and because I could start working on dinner right at 5 every evening instead of waiting until I got home from commuting to my internship. I also was able to go to the grocery store on my lunch break, which meant it was less crowded and overwhelming.
This is where I really started thriving. I had a major success with the roasted chicken, and the confidence that gave me helped keep me going. Preston is also the SWEETEST and goes above and beyond with praise when I cook almost anything. This positive reinforcement really pushed me to go outside my comfort zone.
Then, I found Halfbaked Harvest. This website absolutely changed the game for me, and I know I will never, ever go back to not being obsessed with cooking. Her recipes are (usually) simple but elevated at the same time. It makes even the most basic meal feel like a treat, and the recipes are sure to impress anyone you’re cooking for.
HBH taught me a lot of cooking techniques, principles of an elevated meal and really how to make my own recipes using her principles. At this point, I have probably made close to 50 of her recipes, I am seriously obsessed.
So, I guess all this is to say- I am a much better cook than I ever thought I would be. I am not trying to brag at all, but I just genuinely am confident in saying I can cook well! If you give me almost any recipe, I can probably figure it out, and it will probably be completely edible!
I used to FREAK if I had to make two or three elements at the same time (example: protein, a veggie and a sauce), and now I am able to host ten people for a multi-course meal. Previously, I couldn’t have anyone even take an inch of my attention while cooking, and now I cook when friends are over, chat with Preston, talk on the phone to my mom, listen to an audibook, etc. Before, I wouldn’t even dare to make a recipe that looked complicated, now I look for bigger and bigger challenges.
Here is a basic summary of how I became a better cook,
– Pick one recipe you really, really want to make. Take advantage of the weekend to make it! When I first started cooking, I tried making complicated things on weeknights- big mistake! The weekend gives you a lot more buffer room.
– Don’t invite people over the first time you’re trying out something new. I have done this and really regretted it! It’s a lot of pressure on a new cook. Try just making it for you and one other person or your family first.
– Look for recipes with few ingredients. Nothing stings like completely destroying a recipe that had a list a mile long of ingredients. This will make you feel like a failure quicker than anything else. Remember, part of persisting through learning how to cook is keeping the right attitude.
– Ask the women in your life for recipes. Most of our mom, grandma, aunts and other southern women’s recipes are simple and taste delicious. While they might not be the healthiest, it’s a great place to start learning.
– Find a recipe outlet and stick with it. I really enjoyed sticking only to HBH in the beginning because I was used to her recipe style, common ingredients and techniques. Even professionals have different habits and methods, so getting used to one person makes it easier in the beginning.
______________________
That’s it! I hope these tips helped. I really, really love cooking, baking, hosting and all things that come along with it. I never knew I would be here, but I am so happy I am.
