‘I Don’t Know How to Cook’

October 27, 2021

Some of my friends will often say to me, “Rebecca, it’s great that you like to cook, but I don’t know how to cook.”

And I always reply, “Well, have you tried?”

If you were to take a chicken breast and put it into the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, you could say that you cooked it. It may not be the most exciting thing you’ve eaten, but you. cooked. it.

Friends of mine may be surprised to know that I don’t actually follow recipes. They’re overwhelming.

It’s very rare that I’ll shop for the precise amount of ingredients for a particular dish. Instead, I’ll read cookbooks, become inspired, and then take to the kitchen like a mad scientist — or, like most home cooks.

My point is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re terrified of getting into the kitchen, you’re overthinking it.

Others will often say, “I’m afraid of cooking [enter raw protein here] because I’m worried I won’t do it correctly/thoroughly and I’ll get sick.”

My reply is always the same, “Well, have you tried cooking it?”

Buy a meat thermometer. I only recently started using one and it’s a game-changer. Namely, because I’m terrified of cooking pork. I always overcook it. Until I discovered that I could overcome that irrational fear by being rational and buying a thermometer.

So, friends, yes you can cook. You just have to start. Try.

Let me know what you come up with and invite me over to sample it. I rarely say no to a homecooked meal.

Cheers,