If you're like me, the idea of cooking delicious and healthy meals sounds like a dream, but getting started sounds like a nightmare. But after years of just eating mediocre meals that never really left me satisfied I decided I needed a change. I knew that I wanted to fuel my body with healthy and home cooked meals, but also knew that I had absolutely no real cooking experience. If this sounds like you, keep reading to find out the best Top 3 Cooking Tips for Beginners!
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1st Tip
The 1st tip for all beginner cooks is to establish what your cooking goal is. Is it to feel and be healthier? Save money by eating out less? Try new recipes? Get out of your comfort zone? Try a new dietary lifestyle?
Regardless of what your goal may be it is important that you know why you are starting the journey of becoming a cook so you stay motivated throughout the process!
2nd Tip
The 2nd tip is to then find recipes based on your goal. For instance if your goal is to go gluten and dairy free research recipes that fit into what you are looking for. By searching recipes you will start to get a better understanding and feel for the style of cooking you're striving for. Another option is buying a cookbook!
The cookbook that started my cooking fab is Plant Over Processed, this book has over 75 recipes and has a month long challenge to really get yourself in the swing of things!
Furthermore, when I first started cooking, preparing a grocery list was honestly the hardest part. I became overwhelmed by the different amount of seasonings and other ingredients I would have to buy. Something I did and something you could do to avoid this overwhelming feeling is basing your grocery list off of the recipes that you are following. If you need recipe inspiration click here. I picked my dinners for the week, snacks, and a couple breakfast recipes and then scanned my pantry and fridge to see what I might need. After writing what I needed down I was ready to hit the store! Before you know it you'll have all the spices and ingredients you need to create the perfect meal! You’ll be natural at meal planning and grocery shopping sooner than you think.
To be transparent, buying individual spices can be expensive, so a great way to avoid having to spend tons of dollars on spices is to buy a seasoning basic set! In this set you'll have a great foundation for all the spices that your recipes will require! Personally I use the spices in this set more than others, but specific recipes will require additional seasonings. This starter pack is a great start to begin your spice collection!
3rd Tip
The 3rd tip sounds silly but it is to actually follow the recipe! For the first meals that you cook, make sure you follow the recipe step by step so that you don't get discouraged by a flop of a meal early on. Once you follow recipes for long enough you will have enough experience in the kitchen that you will find yourself naturally grabbing seasonings that match together without the help of a cookbook! In no time you will be instinctively cooking!
In addition, I highly recommend investing in a high quality knife set for cutting veggies and meats, it will be a life and time saver! Also funny enough, sharper and more high quality knives are safer than cheap dull ones, so do your fingers a favor and purchase quality knives! Additionally, buying a non-stick pan will make your kitchen clean up so much more of a joy, trust me there is nothing worse than having to scrub a pan that refuses to come clean!
I hope these Top 3 Cooking Tips for Beginners help you and encourage you as you start your cooking journey! Remember that learning how to cook is a process, but it is so rewarding and your tummy will thank you! The gift of being able to create a meal and share it with the people you love is unmatched, happy cooking friends!
