Developing Cooking Skills

CEBU, Philippines - My cooking talent does not go beyond opening a can of corned beef or sardines. Sad, I know. Preparing a meal remains to be a challenge since my college days; quite unlikely for a Hotel and Restaurant Management degree holder, although I struggled through all my cooking and baking classes, barely passing in each.

Our defective ovens and mediocre kitchen facility in school added up to the challenge. Nope, I never get to prepare anything I would enjoy myself then, and would have to leave the cooking to relatives and the house help now that I’m already married. If the inability to dish up a decent meal is a ground for annulment, I would’ve been a single parent for a long time now.

The struggle is definitely real with two school-age girls having to take lunches to school and without a house help for assistance since March. It’s amazing that I’m able to get by. But how? Let me share my experience and plans:

Work on the cooking disability. I have accepted the fact that my cooking skills are limited. And I just have to do something about this lack, for the sake of my family and to keep my sanity. I commit myself to learn the basics and prepare a simple dish at least one per week.   

Start simply. One of my first experimental dishes was a simple fried pork that required only a dash of salt and pepper on thin slices of lean pork – then off the pan they go over low heat! That was a recipe I heard over lunch in the office pantry. The result? Well, not bad for starters. 

Ask for tips. I opened up to my officemates and lunch buddies regarding my cooking handicap and one was kind enough to share her personal simple and easy-to-prepare pork and chicken recipes that involves only a bit of frying and boiling. It was tried and tested, she said. I made notes on scratch paper, and have kept the recipes on the kitchen cupboard, as quick reference until I will have memorized the steps. 

Practice. One time, I accidentally put too much oyster sauce on a dish; instead of freaking out, wasting everything on the casserole, I just tried to neutralize the taste by gradually adding hot water to it. My kids one time said that what they were eating looked practically the same but tasted differently each time.

Variety is a spice of life, I told them. The statement drew confusing looks, but they continued eating anyway; they didn’t have a choice. The room for improvement is the biggest room in the world, so why not make use of it?

Enroll in a class. Those with time spare might as well learn the basics from a pro. Enroll in a cooking or baking class. Who knows, it could eventually turn up extra income or as a gift-giving alternative. Family days are annual activities in schools and so are birthdays, anniversaries, class reunions and the like. With good cooking skills, it’s like sharing a piece of oneself to people who matter.

Organize a cooking event. Saturday afternoons could be best spent with friends in a cooking marathon, where each one can share a recipe and show the others how it’s done. Everyone will learn something new from one another.

Pass it on to the kids. Nothing beats a home-cooked meal, especially when spiced up with love and loads of patience. The love for cooking may be passed on to kids early on. It can be done by allowing them to help out in the kitchen, even just by cleaning utensils, drying them up and putting them away. Or the kids may be made to observe how to prepare meals.

I grew up in a household where I was shooed away each time I attempted to slice a tomato, for fear that I might cut myself in the process.

Cooking is not necessarily a chore but rather a bonding and nourishing activity. Time in the kitchen can really be exciting. It’s never too late so grab that apron and dish up a meal to enjoy. Bon appetit! (FREEMAN)