If you’re one of many people wondering how to cook at home more, there’s plenty of healthy and fun options that will allow you to feel your best, improve your health, and maintain a healthy weight! If you’re someone that loves to explore different cuisines but doesn’t have the time (or money) to spend eating out, below are some ways you can learn how to cook at home more. Use these recipes, tips, and tricks to help you achieve your best meals.
Buy Lots of Herbs
If you want to learn how to cook at home more, one of the first things you’ll need to do is buy lots of herbs that will help give your food a unique flavor profile. Italian food is famous for including many herbs, such as rosemary that pairs well with steak, or thyme that pairs well with chicken. If you’re not sure which herbs to use, don’t worry! Most recipes will tell you ahead of time which herbs to buy and include in your meals.
If you’re wondering how to cook at home more and enjoy herbs, consider buying twine. Twine keeps herbs secure and allows you to easily remove them from soups, stocks, or just about any other meal. If you’re planning on using different herbs in your cooking, consider buying live herbs or planting your own.
Many herbs, such as chives, mint, basil, and green onions are easy to grow indoors. More hearty herbs like rosemary and lavender will need to grow outdoors in the sun. However, there’s no denying that having your own garden of herbs is one of the best tools for those that want to learn how to cook at home more!
Stock Up on Seasonings
If you’ve tried cooking at home before but were upset at the lackluster taste, you might be missing seasonings from your meals. For instance, if you only used a little bit of salt or pepper, you might have benefited from using more salt or other seasonings.
Not many people understand how crucial the right seasonings are to a dish. For instance, if you’re cooking Chinese food, you’ll more than likely need fish sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, and mustard to help bring out the intriguing and delicate flavors of a dish. Many Chinese food recipes also call for MSG, which contrary to popular myth, is actually safe to consume in small amounts and packs a lot of flavor!
For those wondering how to cook at home more to get more flavor, consider stocking up on seasonings beforehand. Some seasonings to consider include salt, pepper, white wine vinegar, red whine vinegar, and soy sauce among others. Paprika, cumin, and dried herbs are another great source of flavor. Fortunately, these seasonings don’t take up too much space. They can easily be stored in your kitchen cabinets or a spice rack.
Buy Gloves and Disinfectant Wipes
If you want to know how to cook at home more and stay safe while doing so, one of the first things you’ll need to buy is disinfection tools. Having disinfection wipes, soap, and gloves on hand can help you avoid foodborne illness and prevent you from getting the rest of the family sick during the cooking process.
If you’re new to cooking, you might not be aware that many meats, dairy products, and eggs don’t have a stable shelf life. For instance, dairy like milk and eggs will go rancid if left out in room temperature. The same applies to meats like chicken, beef, pork, and fish among others. Leaving the meat out in the room temperature for more than two hours allows parasites and other bacteria to begin breaking down the meat, which can make you deathly sick.
In addition, there are parasites and other bacteria, such as salmonella, present on the outer layer of most meats and uncooked eggs. As such, if you’re cooking and cutting meat, it’s critical to thoroughly wash all plates, utensils, and tools used to handle raw meat. You’ll also need to disinfect any areas touched by the meat. For instance, if you placed it on the counter, or spilled raw egg, having disinfection spray or wipes nearby can help protect you and your family! If you’re experiencing signs of foodborne illness, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or fever, make an appointment with your primary care physician right away.
Consider Remodeling Your Shelves
One of the things you’ll notice once you start cooking is the vast amount of items you’ll need. From kitchen utensils to spices, pots, pans, and disinfection tools, there’s lots of smaller items you’ll need to find creative storage for. Fortunately, kitchen remodeling doesn’t have to be difficult if you want to learn how to cook at home more. For instance, you can add a spice rack to your countertop, which will help store your spices and make them easily accessible.
You can also add a built-in spice rack to your drawers, or purchase a small one to sit on your countertop. If you’re short on space, consider hanging pots and pans from the ceiling using a pot rack. This can help make it easier to cook, as well as give your kitchen a more rustic feel.
Another great way to save space in your kitchen is by getting rid of any appliances you don’t use. If you never bake, consider getting rid of your oven. If you don’t cook with meat, get rid of your butcher block. Not only will this help clear up valuable counter space, but it can also help make your kitchen feel less cluttered.
Redo Your Interior
If you’re wondering how to cook at home more, one of the best things you can do is create a comfortable and inviting space. After all, if you don’t feel comfortable in your kitchen, you’re less likely to want to spend time cooking. To make your kitchen more inviting, consider repainting the walls or adding some new artwork. You can also add a few comfy chairs or stools to create a cozy breakfast nook.
If you have the budget for it, consider doing a complete kitchen remodel. This can help you add features like an island or new appliances. If you’re not ready for a complete remodel, even small changes, such as repainting kitchen cabinet refinishing or updating the hardware, can make a big difference.
No matter how you choose to update your kitchen, the goal is to make it a space you enjoy spending time in. After all, the more time you spend in the kitchen, the more likely you are to learn how to cook at home more!
Take Cooking Classes
One of the best ways to learn how to cook at home more is by taking cooking classes. Not only will you learn how to cook, but you’ll also get to meet other people who share your interest in cooking. Cooking classes can be found at community colleges, culinary schools, or even online.
If you’re not ready to commit to a cooking class, consider attending a cooking demonstration. These are typically held at local kitchen stores and can be a great way to learn about new products and techniques. You can also find cooking demonstrations on YouTube or other cooking websites.
Get Organized
If you’re wondering how to cook at home more, one of the best things you can do is get organized. This means creating a grocery list, as well as a schedule for cooking. Yes, cooking can take a bit of time and can be difficult for some people to incorporate into their day. For instance, if you’re going for a check up and then to pick up the kids, you might want to settle for fast food instead.
However, there are lots of fast recipes you can make at home that are just as good as what you would get at a restaurant. By getting organized and planning ahead, you can make sure you have the time to cook healthy meals at home. For instance, consider creating a meal plan for the week. Then, do all of your grocery shopping at once. This will help you save time and money in the long run. You can also meal prep, which means cooking food in advance and storing it in the freezer. This can be a lifesaver on busy weeknights.
Buy the Right Tools
In addition to getting organized, it’s also important to have the right tools in your kitchen. This means investing in quality pots, pans, and knives. You can also invest in small appliances, such as a crockpot or Instant Pot. These can help you make quick and easy meals without a lot of effort.
In addition, you’ll want to read the recipe thoroughly before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients and the steps involved. It can also help you determine if you have the right tools for the job. For instance, if a recipe calls for a food processor, but you don’t have one, you might be able to use a blender instead.
In addition, you’ll want to always use sharp knives and never cook with dull ones. Not only are sharp knives safer, but they’re also more effective. If you’re not sure how to sharpen your knives, you can take them to a professional or watch a tutorial online.
Other tools you’ll need include measuring cups and spoons, a cutting board, and an oven mitt. When in doubt, consider starting your kitchen tool collection small and then adding to it as you need more items.
Learn Basic Cooking Skills
If you’re new to cooking, you’ll want to start by learning some basic skills. This includes things like how to properly measure ingredients, how to chop vegetables, and how to cook rice. These skills might seem basic, but they’re essential for learning how to cook at home more. Fortunately, a great way to learn how to cook at home more is by reading cooking blogs or watching cooking shows. There’s lots of shows that can teach you the basics on how to grill, how to bake, how to make pasta, and so much more.
In addition, another great way to learn how to cook at home more is by following along with a recipe. This can help you understand how to properly follow directions and measure ingredients. It can also help you get a feel for how long certain things should cook. For instance, cooking shows often have recipes that you can follow along with at home. This is a great way to get started and learn how to cook at home more.
Start Small
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start small. There’s no need to try and make an entire Thanksgiving feast if you’ve never cooked before. Start with simple things like grilled cheese or scrambled eggs. In addition, use high-quality ingredients so all of your dishes taste amazing. For instance, if you have custom chicken coops, use high-quality eggs so your dishes taste even better.
As you get more comfortable, you can start to try new recipes and experiment with different ingredients. This is a great way to learn how to cook at home more. And, it can also help you save money since you won’t be eating out as much.
Practice Fire Safety
Perhaps the most important tip for cooking at home more is to practice fire safety. This means always being aware of what’s going on in your kitchen. Don’t leave things unattended or attempt to handle anything that might pose a fire hazard. For instance, call a propane service instead of changing out the propane of your gas grill yourself.
By following these tips, you can learn how to cook at home more safely and effectively. And, you might even find that you enjoy it. So, what are you waiting for? Start cooking today!