Everyone gets into a cooking rut occasionally. You’re making the same few dishes on rotation—this isn’t due to laziness, but because that’s what works. Cooking should be an enjoyable experience. When you start to think about cooking as an art, it becomes a lot more fun. This guide features a few ways to start expanding your cooking skills, so continue reading to learn more.
Learn From Various Sources
There are so many ways to learn new recipes and techniques. If you’re looking to expand your cooking skills, one way to start is with family and friends. Everyone has a different background and many people grew up eating different foods. The next time you’re struggling to come up with an idea for dinner, consider asking family or friends. Often, people are happy to share their recipes and techniques. The best way to learn new things is to collaborate with others.
Another way to expand your cooking skills is by watching cooking shows. There are plenty of shows that explain how to cook various dishes. You can also buy a cookbook. There are thousands of cookbooks on the market, so there’s something for everyone. Consider a cookbook that contains recipes that are different from what you normally eat. For example, you could cook a dish that contains a vegetable you don’t normally use. This is something to consider, since new recipes can inspire you to cook in different ways.
Experiment With What’s in Your Kitchen
Experimenting with ingredients is one of the best ways to learn which flavors go well together. If you don’t want to spend a fortune, experiment with what’s in your kitchen. There are shows and apps dedicated to this, but you can do this on your own with a little creativity. Think about how many things you have sitting in the fridge or pantry right now. The next time you’re struggling to come up with an idea, look at what’s in your kitchen. If you get a little creative, you could make something that you love. Some of the best recipes come from an experiment, so don’t hesitate to get creative.
Try Out Different Cooking Tools
Trying new things is one of the best ways to expand your cooking skills. Most people stick to a pan on the stove, but there are so many cool cooking tools on the market, and most of these tools are easy to use. Think about the pan you use at home. Consider switching out your normal pan for a grill pan. For anyone that doesn’t have a grill, consider a grill pan. They are inexpensive and last for a long time. Grill pans are great for making chicken or steak because the pan has lines on it. Cooking with a grill pan provides the same grill lines that a traditional grill would, without the hassle. This is a great option for anyone that lives in an apartment building or somewhere a grill isn’t achievable.
Another way to expand your cooking skills is to make things from scratch. There are so many cooking tools that allow you to make just about anything from home. One of the best investments you can make is buying a stand mixer. This changes the cooking game, because there are many attachments for a stand mixer. You can make your own bread, for example. You can also make your own noodles. Many people enjoy making zucchini noodles as an alternative to grain pasta. There’s an attachment for stand mixers that allows you to make noodles, but you can also buy a noodle maker separately. Another tool that makes cooking more fun is a food processor. You can make your own salsa, sauce, or slaw. Food processors are also commonly used to make the crust of a pie or other dessert. Once you realize all the things you can make from scratch, you’ll be inspired to try your hand at even more new things.
Recreate Favorite Dishes in New Ways
If you’re having trouble getting creative in the kitchen, try to re-create your favorite dish in a new way. For example, think about your favorite restaurant. Is there an appetizer you absolutely adore? Or a main course that blows your mind every time. Even though those dishes might seem intimidating, chances are they aren’t. Most dishes seem super complicated, but it’s achievable if you take your time. There are plenty of resources online to assist you, as well.
Another idea for expanding your cooking skills is to recreate a dish from your childhood, but with your own twist. For example, you could recreate a dish that traditionally has meat, but you could make it meatless. For example, switch out the chicken in a recipe for tofu or plant-based chicken. There are a lot of different proteins to experiment with, so consider trying something new next time. Lastly, add spices to any dish to give it a whole new flavor. There are various seasonings on the market to add flavor and spice to any dish.
Research Global Cuisine
One of the best ways to start expanding your cooking skills is to research global cuisine. There are many recipes and techniques that originate from specific cultures. If you take the time to research cuisine from different parts of the world, you’re sure to be inspired. There are thousands of cookbooks on the market. Look online for a cookbook that features global cuisine or watch cooking shows with chefs from all over the world. There are so many resources available online, including e-cookbooks, TV shows, self-filmed videos, and more. You can also try authentically cooked food from local restaurants for inspiration.
At iSpice, we offer high-quality ethic spice blends. We have an extensive inventory of seasonings and spices, so you’re sure to find whatever you need. We’ve been a supplier for the food industry for over 30 years. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned chef, our seasoning and spices are sure to add flavor to all your dishes. Also, be sure to check out our customizable sets if you’re interested in buying more than one product. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions. Let us show you why we’ve been trusted by the food industry for three decades.
