How I Learned to Cook

I didn’t know how to really cook until I had my children.

Let me explain. I grew up in an Italian household where food was the center of attention. I would watch my mother cook dinner each night. When I was with my grandmothers, they always explained what they were cooking and tried to get me involved. Deep inside, I knew what to do; it was embedded in me. But it wasn’t until I was forced to make meals for my children that I enjoyed it and began to master it.

When I first got married, my husband worked very late hours, so if we had dinner together, it was never anything fancy. If he wasn’t home, I usually had dinner with my parents most nights. And that would continue for the first year or two after I had my daughter.

But when I had my son, it was nearly impossible to take them both out every night, so I bit the bullet, pulled out my family recipes, and called my mom to guide me through. And eventually, it became natural and enjoyable.

Fast-forward to the present day. Food and cooking have become a passion of mine. I seek out the best markets, find the freshest ingredients, plan weekly dinners, teach my children, and even share them on social media.

However, if you are in the same position I was in years ago, here are some ways to ignite a fire for cooking and embark on this delicious journey.

1. Family Traditions

Call your grandparents or parents and ask them to teach you how to make some of the meals you had growing up. Write down each recipe, put it in a book to reference, and pass it along to your children and grandchildren.

2. Trial and Error

Begin experimenting in the kitchen with different recipes and ingredients. If it doesn’t come out perfect the first time, try again. Make it your own.

3. Cooking Classes

Take an in-person or online class to learn about specific techniques or foods.

4. Use Social Media and Follow Food Blogs

There are limitless accounts to follow that demonstrate how to cook anything you could think of.

5. Cookbooks

Choose some of your favorite cookbook authors or cuisines and begin making those recipes weekly.

The experience of cooking is fascinating and fulfilling. Transforming ingredients into something truly special evokes emotions and memories. It connects us to nature, to our cultures, and ourselves. You owe it to yourself and your family to try.