It’s interesting to see how the term “home cook” can differ depending on who it’s used to describe. After all, if you cook at home, you’re a home cook. That said, this might extend to mostly putting frozen carbohydrates in the oven, frying some meats and vegetables, and calling it a day (which there is nothing wrong with), all the way up to baking your own breads, purchasing a range of artisinally shaped-plates, and keeping a herb garden on your windowsill.
No matter what level of home cookery you’ve achieved, it’s good to focus on those universal principles that simplify and sustain our actions, helping us get the best out of our efforts, and also saving us money in the kitchen. For example, learning to portion and refrigerate foods in the right containers can help us limit wastage, which can help reduce how often we need to purchase new ingredients.
But what universal cooking lessons can sustain any home cook for a healthy amount of time? In this post, we’ll discuss that and more:
Keep Your Station Clean & Organized
Any newbie chef will learn, through various means, to keep their station as clean and organized as possible. This might sound obvious, after all they’re preparing many meals each hour. However, this effort is important at home, too. It helps you maximize your surface space, which may be limited. It keeps you safe by avoiding slips, falls and breaks, and comforts you by giving you that visual sense of coherency that helps even complex cooking tasks remain simplified. Wipe down your surfaces when you can, and wash up used pots. It will help you work as you go, in the best possible way.
Focus On Simplicity & Quality
It’s also important to focus on simplicity and quality to the extent you can. Better ingredients cooked simply will always be better than bad foods hidden with an overabundance of spice. For example, learning how to make smoked prime rib will help you avoid tainting a beautiful cut of meat, allowing natural flavors, spices, and preparation methods to bring out the flavor of the ingredient, as opposed to masking it. As many master craftsmen and artists learn – simplicity is often the height of creative ambition.
Presentation Really Does Matter
Of course, you don’t always have to go out all, purchase brand new plates for every meal, or use microgreens as a garnish if you don’t want to use them. But little things, like arranging your food on the plate well, learning what sauces should cover other carbohydrates, and little flourishes like spooning sauce at the side can make a big difference. On top of that, seeds, herbs like basil, and fresh adornments like a squeeze of lemon juice or olive oil for gloss can make a big difference, and when serving food to a loved one or cooking for a new romantic interest, you’ll feel so much more confident in the effort. In the long run, efforts such as this make a profound difference to your confidence in the kitchen.
With this advice, you’re sure to expand your skills as a home cook.
