subject: How to spend more time in the kitchen this Christmas [print this page] How to spend more time in the kitchen this Christmas
Christmas is a time that's full of traditions, from the family-specific nuances we have developed over the years to more widely enjoyed customs like buying a tree and eating turkey. One of the most enduringly popular Christmas traditions is that of eating, with the festive season commonly associated with over-indulgence. However, if you're not as comfortable in the kitchen as you'd like to be, your Christmas may not go exactly to plan. Here are some simple steps to help you spend more time cooking this winter.
1. If you're a complete novice, then you may want to begin by asking family members and friends for tips and suggestions. Watch and help them cook and try and pick up a few tips along the way.
2. Watch cookery shows and read recipes in newspapers and magazines. Try to glean as much useful tips as possible, as well as recipe ideas of things you'd like to try.
3. Buy yourself a cooking book that is appropriate for your current level of ability. It's a good idea to buy one that features meals you'd like to eat or that are likely to fit into your lifestyle. If you intend to cook for the family this Christmas, your needs may be different to those who are looking to make healthier meals for themselves after work.
4. If you don't already, learn to love food. The best way to become a master chef is to have a passion for cooking and love the food you're preparing. That way, you'll take extra care to get each meal right.
5. Consider taking a cooking class to learn the basics or advance where you're at. There are many local courses on offer at a relatively low cost, so why not commit one night a week to learning new skills?
6. Make your kitchen your own. From having everything laid out the way you want it to installing the right equipment, including new quality cookware. The more at home you feel in your kitchen, the more likely you are to want to spend more time in it.
7. You may want to start off small to begin with. Offering to cook the Christmas dinner for everyone in the family may be a lovely gesture, but if you're not ready it could be a risk. Why not offer to make the deserts or bake some mince pies and hone your skills?
8. If you do decide to make Christmas dinner, then don't do it alone. Offer to help your Mum and learn as much as you can from her. Or, you could cook it with her supervision and help.
9. The best thing is to make more time for yourself, so your cooking efforts aren't a rush job. If you can take your time and take the pressure off, you're more likely to produce good food that will encourage your future efforts.
10. Before offering to cater for a dinner party or Christmas dinner, practise as much as you can by cooking for yourself or a partner. They won't mind trying your range of cooking, especially if you're getting better and better.
If you decide to invest in new kitchen cookware, then it's a good idea to choose a top brand, such as Prestige or Circulon cookware, as they'll last you a long time.
