I love cooking and have been doing so since my father first started teaching me his ways around the kitchen when I was eight years old. So, it sometimes surprises me to find people who don't view cooking with the same passion as I do. Maybe that describes you?
Well, if you don’t love cooking, I'm hoping that maybe I can help make it more fun for you... or at least less loathsome?
On rare occasion I sometimes don't find cooking to be all that fun, either. I can get into a rut just like everyone else.
So that's why I've listed my best "fun" cooking tips for you.
Fun Cooking Tip #1
Check out new recipes.
If just seeing great looking food photos or reading the list of recipe ingredients can get you drooling, chances are, it can spark some inspiration and fun in your kitchen, too.
You can head to your local bookstore. Heck, go for "free" and just google your favorite cooking shows, nutritionists, chefs, bakers, and other online foodie blogs.
Coaching Tip: Don’t go down an internet rabbit hole… Sometimes searching through recipes online can be so interesting the process ends up taking waaaay longer than planned. So, my tip would be to consider setting a timer when you start browsing. The last thing you want is to take so much time looking, that you don’t leave enough time for the cooking. ;-)
Fun Cooking Tip #2
Make grocery shopping fun and inspiring.
When you’re at the grocery store, try something that you haven’t had in a while. Is there a seasonal fruit or vegetable you haven’t had for months? What about a favorite meal from your childhood? Or, did you come across something totally delicious at a restaurant or get-together lately?
Take a couple extra minutes to browse around the store looking for something you haven't had before but interests you. Be adventurous and fun. Then you can go to tip #1 to find new and inspiring recipes when you get home.
Fun Cooking Tip #3
KISS it! (Keep It Simple, Sweetie!)
Sometimes when I see a great food picture, I immediately get inspired to dive in and make it. At other times, when I look at the ingredients or instructions and they're too long or complicated, I move on. Those are the times I need to keep things simple.
A few ways to keep things simple are to:
Search for recipes with 10 or fewer ingredients, and five or fewer instructions;
Search for recipes that can be made in one pot or pan;
Buy ingredients that are ready to cook with (pre-washed salad greens, diced squashes, frozen vegetables, etc.)
Fun Cooking Tip #4
Put on some great music and invite someone to join you.
When my dad and I would cook, he’d turn on some Tex-Mex or Tejano music and go to town (especially if he was barbequing)!
Do you have kids that need to learn the critical life skill of cooking and might creating a lifelong memory of it with you? Maybe your spouse or date would love to join you? What about having a “cooking party” with your friends where everyone brings something and pitches in on the process?
Fun Cooking Tip #5
If none of the other tips work for you, invest in some kitchen swag!
Having proper kitchen tools makes cooking so much easier and faster.
When's the last time you sharpened your (our bought yourself a new) knife? Could dicing carrots with a dull knife be draining the fun from cooking? Or is blending a smoothie with a crummy blender, leaving it too chunky to enjoy, making you feel less excited to try new smoothie recipes? I know it does for me.
My Bottom Line:
I can’t stress this enough; home cooked meals are the cornerstone to healthy eating. And, yes, it can get boring (or intimidating) from time to time. But, that doesn’t mean you give up and relegate yourself to a life of living off a takeout menu!
Instead, try one (or all) of my fun cooking tips to inspire you to nurture (or rekindle) the love and pride of a meal made by your own hands, and in your own kitchen.
Make it a mission and cook yourself some great dishes (even if you have to start small). There's no doubt in my mind that your body, and health, will thank you for it.
Keep moving toward a better you!
