Cooking from scratch is becoming a lost art in today’s fast-paced world, where convenience is king. Time crunches and busy workdays have made pre-packaged and processed foods the go-to option for many working parents. Unfortunately, amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, we are losing out on the joy and satisfaction of cooking a meal from scratch. Join me in reviving the fast-disappearing art of cooking from scratch!
Why should you cook from scratch?
What are the advantages of slogging the the kitchen the entire day rather than spending time with the family, on recreational activities or just chilling? Unfortunately, I know many who look down upon cooking as a task for traditional homemakers rather than the modern, chic professional. However, it is important to remember that cooking from scratch offers health advantages that the most expensive store-bought food cannot replace. Besides, with modern equipment, meal planning and some tips and tricks I will share here, it won’t take more than half an hour (possibly much less than that) to whip up a meal.
Here are some of the benefits you will achieve from choosing to cook from scratch:
Cook from scratch for healthier food
Without doubt this is the most important benefit of cooking from scratch for your family. When cooking from scratch, you know exactly what ingredients go into your food. You are very likely going to choose the best raw products for your family, fresh ingredients free of unnecessary chemicals – all translating into nourishing meals for your family.
Choose what goes into your meals
Cooking from scratch enables you to be mindful of added chemicals which are a hugh concern today contributing to poor health. Food safety cannot be taken for granted. Poultry pumped with steroids and antibiotics, pesticides in crops and stabilizers in dairy and bread products are a major concerns.
Homemade meals improve gut health
Pre-packaged foods come with added preservatives, and artificial flavors, in addition to excessive sodium. keeping harmful chemicals away from your food has a beneficial effect on your gut health. There is an ever increasing evidence of the role played by gut health on almost every system in our body
Save money by cooking from scratch
Food cooked from scratch costs a fraction of that of food from restaurants or stores. While it may seem cheaper to rely on packaged meals or take-out, cooking at home can actually save you money in the long run. Your food budget can go a long way if you buy pantry staples in bulk, utilize leftovers, and reuse the ingredients in multiple dishes.
If you are into sustainable living like me, cooking from scratch also reduces food waste as you can control the portion sizes and use up ingredients that might otherwise go to waste.Bear in mind that the savings from every meal accumulate over a year- your cooking from scratch may just help you grab a yearly vacation fro the family or even contribute toward your dream home!
Boost your creativity by trying new recipes
I am a mom to two fussy kids and a foodie husband. While cooking has always been a passion for me, cooking to adapt to the taste buds of three picky eaters has been a challenge and a motivated my creativity.Cooking from scratch is not just about following a recipe; it’s about starting with basic ingredients and transforming them into a delectable meal using your own skills and creativity. Ever though how your grandmother cooked her famous chicken pie? Cooking from scratch will help you build skills towards recreating the same, and perhaps even more classic dishes to be remembered for by your loved ones.
Connect better with family and friends over a homecooked meal
If you delve into your most cherished childhood memories, I am sure food will have a major role to play in them. Be it gathering over a grand spread for festivals or fighting with your sibling for the extra portion of your Mom’s pudding, or your friend who had the yummiest homecooked lunchbox (and perhaps an extra portion for you?). Cooking from scratch makes a meal that is a reflection of your personality and a great way to bond with family and friends. Inviting your loved ones into your home and the kitchen and preparing a meal together creates lasting memories and fosters a sense of togetherness – a feeling no fine-dining restaurant can replicate.
Basic kitchen tools and equipements
It goes without saying that you will need some basic kitchen equipment or kitchen set-up. Invest in good quality equipment and cookware that you will love to use. This investment will pay you multiple times over in terms of health and financial benefits. Here is a checklist of items you should have in your kitchen to embark on this journey.
- Gas/electric/induction cooktop
- A food processer- a basic one will do, anything that can blend a soup and chop veggies.
- Skillet- You are spoilt for choice here with the materials. Though the non-stick ones are best for a beginner, with experience you should always transition towards non-toxic materials such as stainless steel, hard anodised or cast iron.
- 2-3 pots of various sizes- I prefer stainless steel ones as they are easy to clean and non-toxic.
- A set of knives- chef’s knife, paring knife and serrated knife are the bare minimums
- Ladles/ spatulas/ slotted spoons
- Chopping board
- A saucepan- again I prefer steel. The ones caoted with enamel also work great.
- Tongs/ potholders
- 2-3 mixing bowls
- Tupperware containers for food prep and storage. Reusable ziploc bags are also a huge help with food prep and storage, which in turn helps to cut down on the time spent in the kitchen.
These are the bare minimum tools you can get by. As you get the hang of cooking from scratch and start loving the process, there will be plenty more you will add to the list.
Pantry essentials for cooking from scratch
You can just stock up on pantry essentials to create a wide range of meals without running to the supermarket before mealtime.
- Grains and legumes: rice, dried legumes, pasta, breadcrumbs, oats.
- Flours: all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour.
- Oils: canola or any neutral vegetable oil, extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil.
- Vinegar: balsamic and apple cider are the basic ones I recommend.
- Condiments: soy sauce, tomato ketchup, mustard sauce, mayonnaise.
- Spices: Paprika, black pepper, cinnamon, bay leaves, cumin, ground coriander, oregano, rosemary, thyme, cloves, alspice, turmeric powder are absolute must haves in your spice box.
- Dairy: Butter, cheese, eggs, milk, plain yogurt.
- Vegetables: onions, tomatoes, potatoes, chillies, garlic, ginger are the must haves. In addition make sure you pick 2-3 other vegetables on your weekly trip to the grocery.
Getting started with cooking from scratch
Now that you have a basic kitchen and pantry set-up, the fun begins! Don’t jump all in at once and get overwhelmed in the process. Take it one step at a time. Go for basic recipes and start slowly working on one meal per day, progressing as you get confident. Here are a few tips I can share from my experience:
- Choose a good cookbook with basic recipes.
- Don’t expect to produce a gourmet dish at your first go, and don’t let burnt omlettes and spilt milk dissuade you. Its a learning process and every mistake only make you better the next time.
- Go for the basic recipes without fancy ingredients. Remember, skipping one ingredient or substituting another can work most of the time.
- Dont dump the leftovers. Use your creativity and think of ways to use it all up in creating a new meal from scratch. For example, repurpose roast chicken scraps in sandwiches and salads. Any gravy can be teamed with rice and stir fried veggies and a fried egg for an innovative poke bowl. The list is endless. Just let your creativity flow!
Last but not the least, keep following me here for some healthy, easy, from scratch food recipes. Let me know about your progress in the comments!
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