If you’re interested in reigniting your interest in cooking, here are a few interesting ways you can add some fun and flavour.
Finding happiness through food
With modern-day life often busy and full of long to-do lists, there is one good thing that isolating at home during COVID gave us ‒ time. And when it comes to food, there is an opportunity to enjoy the process of preparing and cooking delicious meals to eat. You might be surprised at how much joy it brings you. Because there might be no better feeling than making and then eating your own bread from scratch.
While a trip to the supermarket became slightly more stressful than it used to be, many people tried their best to use up all the food they had hidden in the back of the cupboard and freezer. Why not try the same now and get creative! Find new flavour combinations, cook meals that make you feel good when you eat them and learn something new.
Cook with the whole family
In most households, there is one main person who takes care of the cooking. But with everyone spending more time at home due to rising costs, perhaps you should share the responsibility to make it interesting and fun! Everyone, including the kids, can take turns dishing up dinner.
You could also take inspiration from MasterChef and incorporate a few of their challenges into mealtimes. Choose two items from the cupboard that have to be included in the dish, or get family members to compete against each other with different courses.
You could choose meals together: Browse recipes online or in cookbooks, finding something everyone enjoys.
Assign tasks based on age & interest: Younger kids can help wash veggies, older kids can assist with chopping or setting the table.
Make it a learning experience: Explain ingredients, teach simple cooking techniques, and celebrate new skills!
At the core of this, for people with children or teens, it is an amazing opportunity to teach them how to cook even simple meals. It’s certainly a valuable life lesson that is often lost in the busyness of life.
Share the joy of cooking
Keep connected with friends and family outside of your home by inviting them to dinner or sharing photos of what’s cooking in your kitchen. You could even start a recipe exchange where you send tried-and-true recipes for others to try, and they return the favour (or should we say ‘flavour’?).
What about starting a ‘cooking club’ where you choose a theme or specific country to make a meal from? It is a great way to explore different flavours and maybe discover a new favourite dish to add to your repertoire.
But you don’t need a special meal to catch up with friends and family. Simply arrange a time to sit down together at mealtime. Even if it’s over a webinar with interstate relatives. Just chatting and having a laugh with those you cherish, but can’t necessarily visit, will surely make it a dinner to remember.
And yes, the dirty dishes can still wait until the morning!
