While fast food can save time and is often more convenient, nothing compares to a fresh home-cooked meal. It tastes better, with richer flavors and usually less grease. Cooking at home also has many benefits, from giving you control over the ingredients in your food to bringing you together with family and friends.
People tend to think cooking is a difficult skill you need to master in order to enjoy delicious meals, but all it takes is knowing the basics. Creating delicious and healthy breakfasts, lunches, dinners, desserts and snacks on your own has never been easier.
Whether you want to cook more meals during the week or need help figuring out where to begin, we have 10 tips for cooking at home to get you started.
1. Stock Up on Essentials
A well-stocked pantry and fridge are necessary for cooking at home. When you have all the essentials, you will always be prepared to put together a delectable meal. Some staples include:
- High-quality soy sauce.
- Salt and pepper.
- Butter or margarine.
- Oil and vinegar.
- Ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise.
- Flour and sugar.
- Eggs and milk.
- Rice or pasta.
- Baking powder and baking soda.
- Garlic.
2. Explore Different Recipes
A great way to improve your home cooking is to read multiple recipes from different sources. This process will help you get ideas and learn various cooking techniques, even if you don’t make every recipe you see.
3. Read the Entire Recipe
Read each recipe all the way through to ensure you have all the ingredients and are confident about all the steps you need to follow before making the dish.
4. Taste Test as You Cook
The best way to ensure the food tastes good is to taste test it while cooking. It is helpful to get a taste of the different flavors as you go and become familiar with what works best, even if you’re following a recipe.
5. Plan Your Meals
Instead of wondering what to make, plot out your meals for the week. Bonus points if you have a calendar that everyone can use.
6. Make Double Batches
You can’t plan for everything — some days get hectic. You can always make double batches of freezable items to heat up for a quick meal.
7. Invest in Equipment
After cooking at home, you might notice that your knives, mixing bowls and cookware aren’t working well. Look for affordable replacements online — the right tools can make all the difference.
8. Add an Ingredient Weekly
Have a yearning for guacamole? Buy some avocados and make your own. Have you always wanted to test out Tempeh? Find an online recipe and incorporate the meat alternative into your dishes. You might find a taste that everyone in your home loves.
9. Enjoy Yourself
Cooking can be a relaxing activity, especially in the comfort of your own home. Plus, making a dish your whole family enjoys can boost your confidence. Make it a point to have fun while cooking, put on your favorite songs and unwind.
10. Experiment With New Dishes
The more you cook, the more you’ll become comfortable trying new things. You can mix up your favorite meals every so often by trying something out of the ordinary.
Check Out Our Recipes and Sauces Today
Are you looking for new great recipes to start your home cooking journey? Trust San-J for our exciting recipes that make use of quality products like premium Asian sauces. Above all else, have fun getting more comfortable as the master of your kitchen.