Mastering the Kitchen in your 20s

Mastering the kitchen is essential in your 20s. It can sometimes feel intimidating or seem like something you should learn when you’re older, but building this habit now can be truly life-changing. Learning to cook is vital because it helps you take care of your body and yourself, both physically and mentally. It also provides a sense of independence, allowing you not to rely on restaurants, Uber Eats, or others to feed you. Plus, cooking brings creativity into your life, letting you create dishes you truly love that cater to your preferences. The added bonus is budget-friendly living; cooking at home saves you a lot of money compared to eating out, and you almost always make more than just a single serving, which can lead to leftovers. Cooking is an essential life skill, and that’s why it matters in your 20s.

To get started on your cooking journey, you’ll need some basic kitchen equipment if you don’t already have it. I’ll break down the essential equipment into different categories. For cutting, you’ll need a good knife set, wooden cutting boards, kitchen scissors, a cheese grater, and a peeler. For measuring, make sure to have measuring spoons and cups, as well as a small scale. For draining or separating, it’s helpful to have two strainers—one metal and one mesh. For mixing and spreading, invest in good wooden or silicone spoons, a spatula, a slotted spoon, and a whisk. You’ll also need mixing bowls, pots and pans, and baking sheets. As for electronics, you can gradually invest in items like a blender, toaster, kettle, and air fryer. These are just some of the equipment you’ll need to get a solid start in your kitchen.

Now that we went over the equipment needed for the kitchen. Let’s talk pantry. Your pantry stores the building blocks for meals like grains, spices, and canned goods. A lot of beginner friendly meals come from the pantry such as pastas, soups, rice, and beans. You also store the essential oils, vinegars, and condiments. Stocking up on a variety of snacks is always a good idea. With a well-stocked pantry, you’ll have the foundation for quick and easy meals!

As you get more comfortable, building your confidence in the kitchen is key. Tips for doing this include setting the vibe and tone: play your favorite songs, remember that lighting is everything, and keep all your ingredients and equipment close by. When I’m learning something new, I like to play a YouTube video while I cook. If I’m meal prepping for the week, I find it helpful to have all my veggies and fruits pre-cut and ready to go. I encourage everyone to start by learning the basics and staples in dishes first, then move on to understanding how to cook different proteins, and finally dive into specific recipes. Mastering the basics is crucial. Once you building the confidence, you can try new things and invite people to share with what you learned.

It’s important to try new ingredients and techniques without the fear of failure. I’ve had my fair share of kitchen mistakes, but I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned from them. Always challenge yourself! Cooking can also be a great social activity with friends or your partner; it’s more enjoyable, and you’ll have more helpers. You can make theme nights and have everyone bring in something to share.

Ultimately, the benefits of learning to cook in your 20s are incredibly important. It’s a blessing to know how to feed yourself without relying on anyone else. These skills will stay with you for the rest of your life. Not only will you be able to feed yourself, but someday you’ll be able to cook for your future family as well. One thing I’ve learned while cooking for myself is how challenging it can be to order out sometimes because I know I can either make it better or prepare more of it. Mastering the kitchen in your 20s can be one of the most life-changing things you do for yourself, both physically and mentally.