I love food! I love eating out at my favorite restaurants to the point that the server asks, “Will it be the usual?” But I also like trying new types of food at new restaurants. I enjoy my everyday food experiences so much that I end up planning road trip routes based on different food stops I want to take. However, if you had asked me before this summer began what I could whip up for you in the kitchen, you would have been given a very short list that looked something like this: Quesedillas, nachos, ramen, cookies (if you don't mind them being slightly burnt). You get the idea.
I do not belong in a kitchen, and I certainly cannot keep anything white stain-free for more than 20 minutes. But when I’m hungry, or more like "hangry," you bet I can find myself some food. My parents had always cooked meals for my sister and I, and although my mom had tried to teach me a few things here and there, I never paid attention like I should have, which I came to realize this summer. As a summer internship approached and the campus diner appeared vacant and out of service, I began to question how I would get my next meal. What was a hangry college girl to do?
My first option was the easy way out.
Order take out and buy junk food, but with that loomed the threat of the dreaded “freshman 15,” not to mention an expensive meal budget of eating out every day.
However, I realized it was time for my second option of putting on my previously non-existent chief hat and head to the kitchen, and fast because I was starting to get hungry.
At first I definitely felt out of my element and ended up calling my parents during almost every meal preparation…. multiple times. Questions like, “Is it okay if I didn’t wash this?” “How much do I add of this or that?” “How do you crack an egg?” “Is it okay to use if it’s past the (said) expiration date?“ “Can I speed up the defrost process?” or “How much is a pinch of salt?"
With each abomination that I ended up creating in the kitchen, each meal slowly began to appear more and more edible. For the longest time, the kitchen had been this scary room in the house that was uncharted territory for me. I had been so intimidated by the thought of cooking that I had avoided it like the plague, but when I was forced to learn or starve I realized that to overcome my fear of the kitchen, I had to eat my fear one bite at a time, literally.
Throughout my cooking adventure I relied heavily on Pinterest, to stockpile easy recipes that were both healthy and affordable, which I highly encourage any new B in the kitchen to do. Also, remember if all else fails or go up in flames, pizza is a safe and cheap go to. Despite all the progress I’ve made, I’m still no Betty Crocker, but I can provide some advice for those who are just as inexperienced as me.
A few how to’s and don’t forgets about cooking:
Rinse off the meat BEFORE you begin cooking it.
Keep an eye out for when the water begins to boil (hot water and a stove top don’t mix well).
Remove cookies from the oven when golden on the edges… otherwise it’ll be too late and not even the cookie monster will be able to chew them without breaking teeth.
Don’t forget to turn off the oven!!! (It was a little toasty in the kitchen when I woke up in the morning… don’t tell my mom).
Lastly, have fun and enjoy trying new things (Cheesy level: Gouda) But hey, if I can make it out of the kitchen with only a few stains and minor burns, you can too! Happy cooking y’all!
