Happy Wednesday, everyone!  Do you love to cook?  Here are 10 Reasons To Learn To Cook!  As you know, I’ve written three cookbooks and am working on my 4th cookbook.  I found my love for cooking and baking from my grandparents and parents.  I’m lucky to have Mr. TAL, who is a big fan of my cooking and loves it when he gets to taste test :-).  Learning to cook can be a relaxing hobby.  Here are 10 great reasons you will find it enjoyable.

Learning to cook is so much more than mastering the art of preparing a meal at the end of the day.  It offers more benefits than you can think, from boosting your confidence to improving your health.

1.  You can create delicious dishes. Whether it’s a Portuguese chicken recipe or a new Indian curry, one of the best reasons to learn to cook is the joy that comes with creating something mouthwatering.  Creating perfectly seasoned chicken with a smoky and spicy marinade made from paprika, garlic, lemon, and olive oil can be satisfying.  Having the ability to prepare dishes from around the world lets you explore new cuisines while impressing friends and family.  Not only that, but you’ll be able to impress yourself with your homemade fare.

2.  It’s fun. Putting together a pile of ingredients onto your countertop and watching those ingredients turn into something that smells and tastes delicious is fun.  If you have a creative side, you will fall in love with the chance to experiment with new flavors, presentation techniques, and unique ingredients through cooking. Once you figure out how to make your own sauces rather than using shop-bought sauces, that’s just the beginning. Eventually, you learn how to make your own pasta, and there are no limitations to that. There is never a wrong answer in the kitchen, only an amazingly delicious outcome.  And I always say….mess it up, wipe it up, and try again!

3.  You’ll save money.  Cooking at home stops you from spending extra money you don’t need to.  It’s nice to have takeout food occasionally, but nobody wants to live on that stuff every day, and the amount of money you could spend on it every day is immense.  Dining out is fun, but you can start putting together those flavors you love from your favorite restaurants.  Creating the Portuguese Chicken means you can recreate the restaurant’s quality meals for a fraction of the cost.  The best part is that you’ll likely find the ingredients bought in bulk or fresh from the market go much further with your money than when you buy takeout.

4.  You have the opportunity to boost your nutrition.  When cooking at home, you have full control over what goes into your food.  You can use wholesome and fresh ingredients while avoiding excess salt or processed foods. Cooking your own meals often means you can make health-conscious decisions. You can customize your dishes to suit your directory preferences, and nobody can tell you what you can and cannot cook because you’re cooking for yourself!

5.  It can build confidence.  Preparing a meal from scratch brings a huge sense of pride and accomplishment. When it turns out delicious, and everybody is giving you approval around the table, it can make you feel good on the inside.  It doesn’t matter whether the dish you’re cooking is a simple stir fry or something more elaborate; the point is that you created it, and you can feel proud of that.

6.  It’s a good way to bond.  Cooking for yourself and for others is a good way to bond.  Bringing food to a potluck dinner or having a party and serving up homemade fare is really going to give you those brownie points with your friends.  You could even cook together, a meaningful and fun way to spend quality time with loved ones. The joy of enjoying a meal that you created together is one that can’t be beaten.

7.  You reduce your stress.  Cooking can be a huge stress reliever.  Just think of the amount of energy kneading a loaf of bread takes.  Cooking is a huge stress reliever because it’s a hands-on activity that requires focus and attention, which can take your mind off your daily worries.  The rhythmic chopping, stirring, and seasoning and the ability to immerse yourself in the instructions on the recipe can make a massive difference to your mood and to your health in general. It’s soothing and meditative, and you have something delicious to look forward to by the end.

8.  You have a chance to develop new skills.  Learning to cook opens you up to a whole new world. You may be able to cook the basics right now, but eventually, you can turn your hand at a coq au vin or make your own lasagna.  Learning to cook allows you to grow your culinary knowledge and understand more about what goes into food to create the amazing flavors that you love so much.

9.  You can reduce food waste.  When cooking at home, you can control your portion sizes, reducing the likelihood of overeating.  Being able to control your portion sizes means you’re not going to waste any food, which means you actually get to create the perfect amount of leftovers to last you the week. You’ll quickly learn how to repurpose your ingredients and ensure that you are able to use up leftovers in more creative ways.

10.  It’s an endless world of fun. When it comes down to it, cooking allows you to cook everything from starters to desserts from scratch by yourself.  The kitchen ends up being a place where you can really let loose and get creative, and it encourages you to explore, experiment, and discover. Plus, you get to eat the results! All you need to do now is put on your apron, select a few recipes, crank up the music, and have a blast in your kitchen.

Cooking is a creative outlet; for me, learning to cook led to learning how to bake.  Did you know you can use edible flowers to decorate cakes?!!!  If you are interested in beginner/intermediate recipes, try my Sit, Stay, Eat Cookbooks with tablescape ideas and easy-to-make dog treat recipes.  We don’t want to ignore our furry friends at dinner time :-).

Want more recipes, check out my older posts here:

How To Cook A Roast In Cast Iron Skillet

8 Ways To Get Your Kitchen Ready For Thanksgiving

How To Cook A Turkey In A Cast Iron Skillet