Did you know that 1 in 4 Brits would struggle to cook a meal from scratch?
Cooking is an essential life skill.
Whether you want to just get by making simple meals or you want to develop a flair for whipping up culinary delights, being able to make your own food can and will serve you well in the long run.
However, it isn't always as easy as it sounds- and cooking doesn't come naturally to everyone.
If this sounds like you, then getting your basics sorted can help you to ensure you have a good starting point and expand your skill set in the kitchen.
Read on to learn more!
Knife Skills
Every cook had to start somewhere, and even Gordon Ramsey one day had to learn the basics of knife skills.
Before you even think of jumping right in, you need to learn about the different types of knives you can use and how to use them.
This will allow you to prepare your food easier and get a better, more even result. Don't forget to learn how to sharpen your knives too.
Flavouring and Seasonings
Just because you're a beginner, it doesn't mean your food needs to be bland. Far from it!
Learning how to cook with spices and seasoning will help you to create edible meals from the off and lift your cooking.
You need to add your seasonings and flavouring during the cooking process, not at the end. This allows the foods to really absorb what you're adding.
Taste-testing your food as you cook allows you to get this right. So don't leave adding salt to the end; add it during cooking and make your food come to life.
Recipes are Good
Recipes can be your best friend when learning to cook.
Following a recipe exactly can give you a feel for exactly what quantities you need and allow you to get a visual representation of different ingredients, instead of throwing everything in and hoping for the best.
So whether you're following this homemade chicken alfredo recipe, making the humble meatloaf or you're simply wanting to learn how to bake better cakes, find a good recipe and follow it exactly while you brush up on your skills.
Learn Different Cooking Methods
Different cooking methods exist for a reason, and learning what each one does and why you need to do it is vital in helping you build your cooking skills and produce more flavoursome meals.
From sautéing to boiling, roasting and frying, you need to try each style of cooking to be able to bring out the most from your foods.
For example, sautéing is cooking with direct, very high heat, boiling is adding your food to boiling water to cook, and roasting involves popping your food on a tray in the oven and letting it cook.
Conclusion
Cooking can be intimidating, and you need a lot of patience to get started.
But whether you need to learn how to boil an egg or you want to be able to cook wholesome meals for your family, stripping things back to basics and taking it slow can help you learn at your own pace- and you can become more confident in the kitchen.
Do you enjoy doing a bit of cooking? How do you want to improve your skills in the kitchen? Let me know in the comments!
Love Sarah xoxo
