Do you know how to cook? Is “cooking” putting a frozen meal or popcorn in the microwave? Or, are you comfortable in the kitchen? Either way is fine, but we can always learn new things and upgrade our skills. I believe everyone should be comfortable in the kitchen – even if it is just with a couple of simple recipes. I have learned that the more I cook, the more comfortable I get in the kitchen. The more I cook, the more comfortable I get experimenting with new recipes and cooking. . . gasp. . . without a recipe. I strongly believe that if you want to eat healthier, eating at home is the best option because you can control how it is cooked and what goes into your food. When you make it, there is not a lot left to guess about.
When I first expressed an interest in learning how to cook years ago, John (my husband) got me two books for Christmas. The first was The New Professional Chef put out by the Culinary Institute of America so I could see what a specific instruction meant – “what’s a saute anyway?” The second was The Well-Tooled Kitchen so I could find out what that tool the recipe talked about looked like. I still use these books. They got me started cooking along with a few cook books.
One of the best ways I’ve learned to cook is by taking cooking classes. It seems cooking schools are popping up all over the place. I started with a group of classes for beginner cooks. Each class addressed a specific issue and/or technique – meats, vegetables, soups, etc. It was great! I still try to take a cooking class every other month or so to continue to expand my skills. And, to learn new tips and tricks that are not included in the books. I recently took a bread making class with a friend. I learned a few new things to do with my dough to make better bread – even though I was comfortable making bread before the class. I will even look for classes when traveling to pick up tips on local foods and recipes.
Taking a class is a lot of fun with a friend and/or significant other. “Couples classes” are frequently offered and can be a lot of fun. Or, grab a group of friends and go. Some cooking schools let you bring a beverage of your choice to help you relax and have fun. The key is to have fun and get more comfortable in the kitchen.
You can Google “cooking classes” and your city and see what is offered. Several grocery stores offer classes as well as Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table, and specialized cooking schools.