Scared of the kitchen? Start with soups and stews
The thought of cooking can be really intimidating if you’re envisioning beef wellington or salt-crusted fish. You’ll get there later… if you’re so inclined. For now, try focusing on something a little simpler: delicious, versatile soups and stews. Sure, these may not sound like the sexiest dishes, but they’re a great place to start, as they often require just a few ingredients and very little technical know-how. They can also be loaded with healthy, inexpensive ingredients. Here are some tips that will help you get started.
Picture it
A lot of new home cooks find recipes daunting because the instructions are confusing. If this is you, try to find recipes that show pictures for every step. This will allow you to check in with the photo and make sure you’re on track as you go. If you make a mistake, you’ll have a chance to correct it before moving on.
Go shopping
Before you start cooking anything, it’s a good idea to take a trip to the supermarket. There’s nothing like getting halfway through a recipe and realizing you don’t have smoked paprika or chicken broth. The first time you try a new recipe, buy exactly what’s on the ingredient list. You can start substituting later, once you’ve got the hang of it.
Slice and dice
This is essential. Before you turn on the heat, scan the ingredients list for words like chopped, diced, and sliced. If the recipe calls for two diced carrots, you’ll want to prepare them before you do anything else. That way, when it comes time to add them to a hot pan, they’ll be ready to go, and things will move along smoothly.
Layer, layer, layer
If you dump onions, tomatoes, and green peppers into a saucepan all at once, you just won’t get the nice, well-rounded flavour you’re looking for. Not to mention, they all cook at different rates and have varying liquid content, so you’ll end up with a strange mix of soft and crunchy.
To get good depth of flavour in a stew or soup, you need to add your ingredients layer by layer to give each one the chance to develop its flavour. Start with the onions and let them caramelize. Next, add the green peppers and let them soften. Finally, add the tomatoes and let them cook down. Just be patient and let each ingredient take the time it deserves.
Embrace mistakes
One of the reasons I love making soups and stews is that they tend to be extremely forgiving. If you add too much salt, balance it out with some extra veggies. If it seems too thick, add more liquid. Making mistakes as you cook offers a great opportunity to learn. Whether you end up with an Instagram-worthy dish or one you’d rather not photograph, you’ll have gained some valuable experience. Just remember to taste as you go!
Go off script
This is really where the fun begins, and the creativity can flow. After you’ve tried out a few simple recipes, you’ll have the confidence to shake things up a little. Have you mastered that hearty vegetable stew? Try adding some cooked, ground turkey next time. Got a favourite lentil soup recipe? Maybe some red pepper flakes would take it to the next level. Stick to only one or two changes at a time, so you can really taste what works and what doesn’t. Use your imagination and be bold!