How to cook when you're not into cooking

Microwave Magic

The microwave is more than just a tool for reheating leftovers; it's a versatile cooking device that can transform simple ingredients into delightful meals. Margaret Eby highlights how the microwave can be used to cook a variety of foods, such as eggs, rice, and even ramen, making it an excellent option for those without access to a stove 1. Marielle Segarra adds that microwaves function as efficient steam ovens, perfect for dishes with moisture content like soups and oatmeal 1.

You can make enough rice just for you in a mug in the microwave, and it doesn't take very much time.

--- Margaret Eby

Experimenting with comfort foods in the microwave can lead to creative and satisfying meals, proving that cooking doesn't have to be taxing to be enjoyable 1.

   

Confidence Building

Building confidence in the kitchen starts with simple, flexible recipes that allow for personal interpretation. Samin Nosrat emphasizes that cooking is a skill that improves with practice, encouraging beginners to start with pre-verified simple dishes 2. Marielle Segarra3.

Recipes aren't written on high and inscribed in a stone tablet, right? They're something that a person is making, and they are kind of a mixture of three things, which are a technical manual, a translation project from my kitchen to your kitchen, and a form of poetry.

--- Margaret Eby

This approach helps cooks gain confidence and develop their culinary skills over time 3.

   

Recipe Flexibility

Recipes should be seen as flexible guides rather than strict rules, allowing for creativity and personal taste. Marielle Segarra explains that while baking requires precision, most other dishes can be adapted based on available ingredients and personal preferences 4. Margaret Eby encourages cooks to adjust spice levels and other ingredients to suit their taste, making cooking a more enjoyable and personalized experience 4.

If you can get, like, one or two or three wins under your belt, then you can start to eventually, over time, learn.

--- Samin Nosrat

This flexibility not only makes cooking more accessible but also helps individuals build a repertoire of go-to dishes 4.