When I was growing up, my exposure to cooking, and the concept of “real food” was limited. Packaged meals, quick microwavable dinners, and take-out orders formed the foundation of my mealtime memories. As a university student juggling deadlines and an active social life, I didn’t exactly embrace the culinary world beyond instant ramen either. But as adulthood came knocking and life started to settle down into an undefined routine, I finally realized that it was time for me to start cooking actual food instead of just popping boxes in the microwave.
Looking back at my twenties now, it’s truly remarkable how far I’ve come from being a stranger to ingredients like ‘coriander’ or experiencing genuine panic at the thought of making an omelette. Join me while I reminisce about my culinary journey from the early events that drove me into the kitchen and how discovering cooking in my twenties became an incredible and fulfilling lifelong passion.
The Turning Point
I still remember the day when everything changed—the breaking point where I decided that enough was enough. My body had just about declared mutiny after one-too-many frozen pizzas for dinner. Going through a bout of violent stomach cramps late into the night led to an epiphany: My body deserved better.
It was time to step out of my comfort zone and make some serious changes in my diet. I had spent years neglecting my health by indulging in convenient (and let’s admit, sometimes empty-tasting) meals. It took two decades for me to realize that not only can cooking nourish your body and soul but also be fun and enjoyable.
A Joyous Journey of Discovery
Learning how to cook was – honestly – terrifying at first. After all, starting from scratch meant facing knife skills, learning different herbs and spices, facing recipe disasters, attempting dishes far beyond my league (trust me; soufflés don’t play around), and making countless errors due to experimenting with various combinations.
But as days turned into weeks and weeks wore into months, these disheartening missteps began paving the path for a newfound creativity and confidence in the kitchen. No longer did recipes bear intimidating outlines hovering over my shoulder; instead, they transformed into sources of inspiration where I felt free to modify flavors based on personal preference. And let’s not forget about those ‘aha!’ moments when you finally get that Béchamel sauce right!
Not Just Sizzle: Lessons Beyond the Kitchen
Taking up cooking in my twenties came with several surprising lessons for life outside the realm of sizzling skillets:
1. Like palates evolving over time, people grow and flourish through new experiences.
2. Embracing a sense of adventure nurtures passion– learning new techniques doesn’t need to be boring textbooks and lectures.
3. Cooking cultivates mindfulness; patiently chopping onions might be more therapeutic than venting sessions on therapists’ couches!
4. There’s no better reminder of the beauty of sharing than sitting down with loved ones over a lovingly-prepared meal.
Cooking Real Food: A Lifelong Commitment
I am continually grateful that in my twenties, there was an awakening that led me onto this culinary adventure. Retrospectively acknowledging progress from half-heartedly shuffling boxed meals around on plates to confidently kneading dough for handmade pasta not only fills me with pride but also endless curiosity about future gastronomic explorations.
So whether you’re just starting your culinary expedition or embarking upon your thousandth seasoning experiment, here’s to real food – meals prepared with heart can transform any dish into a soulful treat worth sharing! Happy cooking!