When I first arrived in Segovia, my cooking skills were quite concerning; I couldn’t even describe my roommate’s face the first time I made pasta (and I am Italian). Cooking can be a very intimidating task, especially when you find yourself nearly eating raw chicken, still pink after 20 minutes on the stove.
As you can tell, my first few cooking experiences were not the best, so here I am sharing advice on how to gain confidence in cooking (even if your first meal turns out to be raw). Cooking does not have to be scary or complicated, it can be quite the opposite.
Tip 1: Start Simple
Simplicity is the key to learning the basics when you’re not yet an expert in the kitchen, which you’ll then be able to apply when making more intricate dishes. If you don’t know the basics when trying to make those delicious and complex TikTok recipes that appear on your For You Page, you might end up frustrated when the result doesn’t turn out the same. Instead, try starting with more basic recipes, with fewer ingredients and more straightforward instructions. Easy examples are pasta dishes, stir-fries, or salads.
Still traumatized from my raw chicken, I attempted to make pasta again: a very simple one of tomato sauce and basil. It was easy to make, taking me no more than 30 minutes. Being restricted by my uni schedule, it was a perfect start. I then started changing the sauces, to first master the cooking of pasta and sauces, to then be able to move to more complex dishes. Once you know the basics, cooking becomes less daunting.
Tip 2: Follow Recipes
As mentioned previously, recipes will become your best friend when your confidence in the kitchen is not at its highest. They guide you through with step-by-step instructions, including correct measurements and techniques to get the best taste and perfect level of cooking of your meals. Don’t be scared, however, to adjust recipes to your preference, that’ll help you gain mastery in the kitchen. If there’s a recipe you like, but don’t have an ingredient, don’t be afraid to substitute it. Maybe your first substitution won’t be the best, but you’ll slowly learn what ingredients work best with certain foods, allowing for change.
For example, last night I wanted to make honey sesame chicken, however, grocery shops were already closed and I had run out of soy sauce, a component of the main sauce to add to the chicken. At home, I found teriyaki sauce, which is close enough to soy sauce even if not exactly the same. I chose to add that instead, and the recipe came out perfectly fine! Of course, with soy it would have been better, but finding alternatives can allow you to try many fun recipes and help you see what works best with what. It’s a game of trial and error. Personalizing recipes is part of the fun.
Tip 3: Make it fun and social
As university students, what’s better than having dinners with friends? Socializing is our favorite thing! And why not incorporate cooking into it? Try inviting your friends to cook with you, it is the best way to learn. Not only will the long process of cooking be more enjoyable and entertaining, but you can gain many tips from friends, and add to the basics that you have mastered so far.
Living with roommates these past two years, there were often times when we would cook together. And being better cooks than me, they stayed by my side and helped me with many doubts I had. Now I invite them to dinners cooked fully by me! Can you believe it?
If there’s one takeaway from my experience, it is that cooking can be for everyone, and it can be enjoyable. I remember calling my mum and telling her how much I hated it, and now I call her to show the meals I’ve made. Adulting 101 I guess.
Building confidence in the kitchen is a process, if you haven’t been exposed to it as much previously, and there will be many mistakes as part of this journey. Following simple recipes, learning your basics, and sharing this progress with your friends, can help you become a master cook! So go grab that spatula, pour some butter in the pan, and get to cooking. Enjoy!
Featured Image Courtesy of Adobe Stock
