How Can I Start Cooking At Home?

Do you have basic kitchen tools?

Do you cook breakfast or dinner at home?

Do you plan your meals in advance?

Do you know any recipes?

Do any of your loved ones cook?

Are you a bit reluctant to start cooking at home?

Do you lack inspiration/passion for cooking?

Are you afraid you would fail?

Is eating healthy important to you?

Are you afraid cooking is time and/or money consuming?

A beginner’s cooking equipment would be – a good knife, a peeler, a cutting board, a few mixing bowls, a baking dish, 2-3 pots (different sizes), a frying pan, some spices, a stove and an oven. You don’t need to go over the top at first, use what you have and buy only the essentials. If you plan on cooking for more than 8 weeks, consider getting some more advanced tools (2 more knives of different sizes, more spices, measuring cups etc.).

Begin gradually with cooking one meal at home. Start with something easy, like salads, roasted vegetables, pancakes (depending on your diet). It’ll be easier to advance from there.

Having a plan for the week can save you time. Choose the recipes you want to cook and make a shopping list. Set a day in the week to go grocery shopping. Prepare what you can in advance – chopping vegetables for example. As a beginner you should follow the recipe and not improvise.

Ask for a friend/relative to give you some recipes. If one of your parents cook, ask them to teach you how to make 2-3 of your favorite dishes. Write down the instructions and keep them at hand. When attempting to cook by yourself ask for more guidance and support if needed.

These days there are plenty of culinary TV shows, online tutorials and free recipes. To prevent from getting lost, try to focus on a certain style. For example, use a famous chef you like as inspiration, watch their show, read interviews and check out their restaurant’s menu. Another option is to focus on a cuisine you like such as Italian or Spanish cuisine, learn the basic dishes and flavor combinations. You don’t need to become an expert, just form a broader understanding of cooking.

Cooking at home can help you eat healthier and save you time and money. As you gain confident and start enjoying cooking at home, you can have your family and friends over for meals, cook together or just show off your new skills and encourage them to do the same.

It’s understandable to feel a disconnect towards something you’re unfamiliar with. You need to achieve a deeper understanding of cooking – terminologies, tools, techniques etc. You can read cooking books and culinary magazines, watch cooking shows on TV, check out high ranked restaurants’ menus and analyze them (see what ingredients go well together), participate in cooking related forums or have a foodie friend explain the basics to you. You don’t need to go all in, start with one or two of these options.

No one is born a chef. You need to practice and you’ll progress gradually. As a beginner cook, don’t attempt improvising with whatever’s in your fridge. Go by a recipe and buy the specific ingredients you’ll need to make a good and tested dish. Coming up with your own ideas can be mentally tiring and lead to poor results. Following constructed steps is easier, so use recipes at least at first. Don't feel bad if you don’t succeed at first – you will get better with time.

When you dine out you have no control over the components of your dish and cooking methods. Cooking at home leads to eating healthier since you decide what goes in your food and how it’s made.

Cooking your own meals can actually save you time and money. Preparing food takes time whether you cook it yourself, order a delivery or dine out. You can plan your cooking so there’s enough food left for a few days, this will save you time and money. Dining out 3 times a day can be much more expensive than going grocery shopping once a week, especially if you have kids. To be most efficient, plan your time and meals in advance (including making a shopping list).

Get a recipe or two and just start experimenting. Sometimes the appetite comes with eating. If you can't persist, make time to sit down and think - which of your values align with home cooking? Focus on that.