Posted by Rachel Schwartz on 1/10/2020 to
Family
1. Experiment with spices. This will not only improve your cooking skills but will also help you familiarize yourself with different spices. Once you know your spices, you can start mixing them on your own to find that killer combo.
2. Try one new recipe each week (or twice a month). The best way to expand your repertoire and improve your cooking abilities is to try new things. Flex that adventurous food muscle! Yes, you've perfect how to make spaghetti but maybe it's time to move on and learn how to make a burrito bowl.
3. Start cooking dinner 3 nights a week. If you don't cook at all or think the amount of take-out you consume each week is getting ridiculous, start making a point to cook dinner a few nights a week. Not only is this healthier for you (and lighter on your wallet), there is nothing that will make you a better cook than actually spending time cooking in the kitchen.
4. Start following a food blog or YouTube channel. Following a blog, YouTube channel, chef, or Food Network show is never a bad idea. It can lead to inspiration for new dishes to try and new tips and tricks to try in the kitchen. Just remember--whoever you follow has probably had a few mishaps too so don't worry if your version of a dish doesn't turn out picture perfect on the first try.
5. Plan a dish around a food or ingredient you've never used before. This is another great way to experiment and improve your cooking skills. Pick a food or ingredient that you've never tried before and choose a dish to make that uses that ingredient. For example, if you've never used butternut squash before, maybe try making butternut squash soup. This will help refine and expand your skills while also keeping the act of cooking interesting and new.
6. Host a mini cook-off with friends. Most people love the chance to show off and eat great food. Add in a little friendly competitiion and you've got a new annual tradition. The competitive aspect of the event will keep you on your toes and paying attention to each little detail of the cooking process.
7. Experiment with cooking methods. This is slightly different from just trying different recipes. Try making the same dish a few different ways. For example, a gluten-free version, adding extra ingredients, substituting some ingredients out for others (ex. butter for oil), etc. and see what works and what doesn't. Doing this may not only lead to a new go-to flavor combination but it also gets you more familiar with how cooking works and the role individual ingredients can play in a recipe.
8. Put your own twist on a classic dish. Dress up a simple meal by adding extra ingredients and making the meal your own. This can take something good but mundane (like a grilled cheese sandwich) and give it a gourmet feel.
9. Challenge yourself. Come across a recipe that looks delicious but appears to be beyond your cooking capabilities? Try it anyway! You might be surprised at how manageable a "difficult" recipe it.
10. Try to recreate a favorite restaurant dish at home. Love the way your favorite restaurant makes their signature bread? Or love the house-made salad dressing at a local sandwich place? See if you can recreate it at home. This will not only have you experimenting with proportions and ingredients but it's also where other things on this list (like #1 or #7) can come in handy! And don't forget to get creative! Some restaurants achieve their signature items by adding in unexpected ingredients.
