As a teenager or young adult, I never felt that I “loved to cook”. For me, it was a chore or something that I “had” to do because my mom told me to help in the all-dreaded kitchen.
However, now, married to someone who enjoys cooking, I have a new outlook and perspective. We are “Cooking Experiences” together and creating memories with our meals!
Many factors contribute to this love or hate relationship that so many have with cooking; personality traits, prior cooking experiences, knowledge passed down from one generation to the next. If you can shift your mindset to “I want to cook experiences,” you can actually enjoy the time spent in your kitchen.
When we are cooking during the week for the family or on a weekend for friends, we always have a plan. The plan is thought out in advance and grocery shopping is never last minute. This helps us stay focused on the dinner and the evening with no last minute uh-Oh's!
With a plan, you can calmly prepare the meal even while listening to music or talking to a friend on the phone. This will help you be more relaxed at dinnertime as well.
Cooking with joy can be obtained when there is a purpose for your cooking and a plan to help you. The purpose for cooking could be that you want to provide a healthy and nutritious meal for your children and family. Or, to discuss your next family vacation. Sometimes people cook for friends or family just to spend time together. Whatever your purpose is, have a plan and enjoy the process.
I grew up in a home where music was usually playing while my mom was cooking. I also added this to my cooking routine. It’s usually jazz or familiar classics; Elton John, Frank Sinatra. Once my plan is created, my purpose is defined, the music is playing, a glass of wine is poured, my evening begins.
Kitchens are central to many homes, often serving as not only a place for preparing meals but also a gathering spot for family and friends. They come in a wide range of styles and designs, varying based on functionality, size, aesthetics, and cultural and regional preferences.
