Cooking Challenged
Learn about the common cooking challenged couples and singles face in cooking at home, and then check out our tips on making it run a little smoother. Practice makes perfect, so dive on in!
It can be difficult to cook. It can be daunting, especially when you have to deal with dangerous things like fires and sharp knives and the untidy clean-up afterwards. We get it!
1. I MAKE A BIG GIANT CHEF EVERY TIME COOKING CHALLENGED
A great chef will tell you that a clean kitchen is a happy one. It all comes down to organization. I ensure that I have enough cooking challenged scraps for when I am cutting new ingredients. Keep kitchen rags and paper towels on hand to clean up any spillages or mess along the way. Keep your workstation clean by cleaning out any bowls or utensils that are dirty and putting them in the dishwasher or sink.
2. I EAT WAY TO MUCH FOOD, AND I STUCK EATING THE SAME FOOD FOR EVERY WEEK.
Ask yourself how many meals/days you will be eating each day before you start cooking challenged for the week. You don’t have to be a master chef if you aren’t planning on being too challenged at home. Instead, make smaller meals such as sandwiches, wraps and salads that require fewer ingredients. It’s a good idea for those who plan to eat at home at least 4 days per week to prepare a large meal at the beginning of each week. This could include a roast chicken or several pan seared steaks.
3. WHAT IF I SET MY KITCHEN ON FIRE?
It is okay to scream, jump up and down, and pray for the best. Face your fears and move forward! A fire extinguisher should be included in every kitchen to prevent small kitchen fires. Kitchen fires can be caused by grease fires, paper and kitchen rags close to the stove, accidentally heating metals in microwaves, or accidental cooking.
4. I NEVER KNOW WHAT OR HOW MUCH TO BUY AT THE STORE.
Without a plan, it’s difficult to gauge the importance of these items. To see what ingredients I have left over and which need to be restocked, I look in my pantry and fridge. Then I make a list with the ingredients that I will need and plan 3-4 meals. This allows me to only purchase what I need and not rely on my instincts when shopping.
5. I DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH KITCHEN TOOLS FOR HOME COOKING.
It’s amazing that people can cook food while camping. You will be ready to go if you have a stovetop and a cutting board. You can always add more.