As a teen being a Tomboy, the last thing I wanted to do was enter the kitchen. But having both parents working and me being a curious child, the kitchen became my laboratory. I brewed some disasters there and conducted some successful experiments. I guess that’s where my rendezvous with food began. Over the years I’ve learned cooking from my parents, grandparents, professors, chefs, home chefs, and at times even strangers. I explored cooking further by watching TV. shows, magazines, and cookbooks, at home and while I travelled. Honestly, the learning is never-ending and it only increased my love for food.

So every time someone says, I don’t know how to cook? How do I learn to cook? I am afraid of cooking. Trust me, I understand. Been there, done that. I probably was worse than you when you started or would start. So here I am to simplify cooking for you as much as I can cause good health begins in the kitchen.

Almost everyone knows which foods are good and which are not. If you don’t,  visit a Qualified Nutritionist or Dietitian to understand what foods are good for your health what should be eaten when, and how. Make a list and stock your cupboard up. Buy local, buy fresh. Do visit the local farmer’s markets for the best quality foods.

As for cooking, anyone can cook. Whether it’s edible or not that’s a different thing.😉 Jokes apart, anyone can cook. All you need to understand is that cooking is an art and science. More specifically, it’s science and then art. It is all about time, techniques, quantity, quality, taste, and appearance. What makes one recipe better than the other is the love and attention you put in while making it.

Here are some of my tips for beginners:

• Learn all about washing, cutting, and chopping. Then half your battle is won.
• You don’t need fancy knives or cutlery for that, just get a good quality one and be careful. Be careful. First-timers often end up injuring themselves ( I’ve had my share of kitchen injuries too ). So keep your mind with you as you cook.
• Start with simple recipes like salads, soups, or recipes that require minimal ingredients.
• Things you need to know before you start with flame cooking – the basic types of heating techniques ( e.g. lightly heating veggies on a low flame), shallow frying (done in a pan), seasoning/ tadkas, steaming, and pressure cooking. Then later move to the complex techniques.
• Read the recipe, once twice thrice, and understand it. Follow it accurately. At the same time use your judgment. (When I started cooking, There were times when I made recipes that mentioned 7-8 mins cooking time/ sauteeing. I followed it, just to find out at the end that it wasn’t enough. So yes use logic, you may require more or less time or quantity of food).
• Go low on spices. Initially, it’s best to experiment with basic salt, sugar, pepper, chilli powder, and turmeric. Gradually use other spices but use them cautiously.
• Arrange all that you require beforehand. So you won’t end up running last minute.
• Once you get a hang of the recipe, begin experimenting. Modify the ingredients, cooking time, etc.
• Don’t expect master chef results in the first shot. If you are lucky you may even get them but if you don’t, don’t be disappointed. Even after so many years of cooking, I still think I have to improve almost every single day.
• Practice practice and more practice make you good at cooking.

Happy Cooking !!! !!