Cooking can be such a daunting task for anyone whose heart is not set to it. They say that there are people who are not born for the art of cooking but only for the art of tasting. However, there are certain scenarios in life that would leave you with no choice. If you're a student and staying remotely from your home, doing your own meal planning and food budgeting for the first time, then the following tips might benefit you in making cooking a delightful experience.
1. Properly balance both your diet and money. Takeouts and fast foods are temptingly a lot easier than cooking by yourself but do make sure your budget will reach the end of the month.
2. Buying in bulk at least running on a weekly budget will save you a lot both money and time wise rather than doing frequent little shopping that might get you buying more things than what you actually need
3. Keep an eye on special offers of the items you normally buy or are usually part of your shopping list. Avoid being tempted to buy things that you don't actually eat just because they're on bargain. The freezer is helpful for stocking and preserving meals or part meals that you purchase in bulk.
4. Always best to choose fresh food and keep away as much as possible from readymade or processed meals as it's often cheaper and healthier. Fresh food guarantees you more value, so go visit the flea market or local greengrocer or butcher instead of the supermarket.
5. Carbohydrates are energy foods and will keep you feeling satisfied for much longer as the day progresses, thus making you avoid in between snacks or junks. Potatoes, rice and pasta should always be part of your main meals and offer a variety of options like lasagnas, curries and spaghetti.
6. Great sources for your protein needs are baked beans, fish, chicken and eggs, so get a load of them. Pulses are great alternatives for vegans or those who are not fond of eating meat. Milk is widely known as the best source of protein as well, so even a glass a day ensures a healthy day for you.
7. Of course fruits and vegetables form part of a well-balanced diet, so five portions a day will do it. This may come as a glass of fruit juice, fresh apples or bananas during lunch and dinner, whichever suits your palate.
8. A general rule of cleanliness is to wash up after eating. It might be that bombsite kitchen is found in every student home, but it is unhygienic and may be source of unwanted virus and bacteria.
9. Recipe books and hand-me-down recipes from your mom or family are great meal planners. Make an improvised book stand to readily have your recipe while cooking. Although you may get a lot online recipes, it is a bit of a hassle to go to and fro your computer just to follow the recipes!
10. Cookwares are your tools in cooking, so be sure to use the appropriate size pan or pot to suit your menu. If you're a first time cook, why not utilize a starter pack to help you get moving in the kitchen?
Cooking is great fun if you know how to run the kitchen wisely. Just start with simple recipes for pasta and rice dishes, and you'll be revved up enjoying your every meal preparation. Cooking can be an art, so go ahead and eat your own way to a healthy diet. You can check out the temperature of your food by using a
laser thermometer to ensure everything is fully cooked.
