Cooking from scratch offers so many benefits. It can act as a stress reliever, be a fun and enjoyable creative outlet for some; but for others, it can fill you with dread. We’re not all expert-level cooks. You may look at recipes online and ask yourself “what is fish sauce,” “how do you saute vegetables,” or “what is an artichoke (and it that thing even edible?)”. 

Like learning any new skill, it can be daunting but worthwhile. It may come naturally, or take a little more practice, but here are some helpful tips to help you find your inner chef and get in the kitchen more. 

Start Slowly

Don’t run before you can walk. It is important to assess your skill set and build from there, accordingly. The best way to do this is to pick one recipe and then hone your skill until it can be made successfully. By doing this, you will save yourself making a full range of mediocre meals that could end up knocking your enthusiasm or confidence further. Find one, make it awesome, then move on to your next signature recipe.

You Don’t Need to Make Everything from Scratch

When cooking, it is important to realize that, although you can make everything from scratch, it isn’t always necessary. Think about the end result and the level of effort needed to make the item. Is it really necessary or worth it, to make it? Does it actually test better enough to justify the time and effort?

For example, making your own pie crust. It can be time-consuming and messy. Is buying pre-made really going to impact the overall meal? Will your quiche or pie be less delicious? If the answer is no, buy it. If you watch certain TV chefs they use it.

Batch Cook

Now that you’ve practiced and successfully made a recipe that you’re proud of and can make without a lot of effort, you can start to consider batch cooking it. This means making more than is required for your meal, with the intention of eating it throughout the week or freezing it for future meals. 

Just because your cooking confidence has grown tenfold, this does not mean every evening you will want to be in the kitchen cooking. By filling the freezer with your favorite meals, you’re saved yourself a job, while guaranteeing a favorite will still be served up when you’re not feeling like playing chef.

Find a Trusted Recipe Source

Some recipes are easier to follow than others, and some chefs and home cooks will make and provide recipes for meals that you want to eat. The trick here is to find someone that you like and trust and keep going back for more meal inspiration. 

There is no point in spending ages searching the web or Pinterest for one-time testing recipes (that may look great in the picture) and making it, for it to be a disaster. All you’ll end up doing is knocking your confidence and going back to square one. Usually, if you like a few recipes from a recipe creator, you’ll like many others from him or her.

Be Realistic

It is great that your confidence has grown and you are wanting to try to cook more, but at the same time, be mindful of your current skill level and also the enjoyment factor you get from cooking. Don’t feel that you need to apply additional pressure to yourself to make everything from scratch. It is still perfectly acceptable to buy desserts or loaves of bread or even premade parts of the meal your cooking, like sauces. Cook what you feel confident make and enjoy that process.