My love for cooking started when I was very young. I can remember standing on a chair at the kitchen table helping my parents cook and bake whatever project they had in mind that day. It started with things like cookies, breads, sugar eggs for Easter and cakes. Then as I got older I was able to help and learn more of our main meal or pot luck meal dishes such as green chili, pasta salads, various meat dishes, sides and salads.
Both of my parents had a love for cooking, food and trying new things. so they taught us a lot growing up! Not only did I get to learn and try new recipes and food all the time, but I also gained the same love for cooking that I have passed down to my girls.
Cooking is More Than Just Preparing Food
Yes, it is a fact that we need to eat to survive. And there are a lot of people who just don’t like cooking or baking. But for those of us who have a passion for and love for cooking and food, it can bring us pure joy! For me Food is a Love language, my Love Language. So when I get to cook with or for those I love, there is nothing on this planet that makes me happier. It’s my way of showing love to my family and friends. (People making me or bringing me food makes me feel pretty happy and loved too!)
I love the time I get to spend in the kitchen with my family and friends. Some of my best memories are in the kitchen, trying new recipes or cooking/baking for a holiday with those I love. Music’s on, everyone is in a great mood, the aroma in the air is appealing and everyone’s happy and having fun. (Most of the time, there have been a few times when recipes didn’t work out as planned, or someone was in a bad mood, or timing didn’t go as planned. But we always learned something new and never starved!)
Family Meals
Growing up in a house of 6 almost always meant all hands that were home and old enough on deck to help make dinner. We always cooked from scratch and everyone had a “job” in the process. My parents always tried to make it fun, even when it was a new recipe and they were a little stressed out. So music on and everyone at their “Stations”.
Once my parents learned new recipes, my dad would eventually tweak it to see how he could make it different or better. He would always say “Don’t be afraid to play with your food.” (Which meant something different when we were little and usually ended up a mess and with mom not happy.)
But now my siblings and I all ” play with our food” and still share our love for cooking together. If we share new recipes, they usually come with notes on what needs to be changed or added to make it better. I learned so much cooking with my family and friends, and have some of the best memories from them. Plus it brought us all closer together, even during some of the hardest times of our lives.
Love for Cooking and Kitchen Creativity
I love the many ways you can use creativity with food. From the food itself to the plate presentation and pairings, there are millions of ways to be creative in the kitchen. My family is loaded with various talents and forms of creativity, mostly in the arts. That gene skipped completely over me, but I feel like I make up for it with my creativity in the form of cooking, baking and plate presentations.
I had the most fun with this when I got to cook with my mother-in-law. She was the ultimate Hostess and her love for cooking was deep. Any family gathering, Holiday or Party she hosted was thought out to the tiniest detail. And most of her attention went into the food, its ingredients, and the presentation. I learned so much from her and loved how we would feed off of each others ideas, especially when it came to plating and presenting. She taught me so much and really helped me up my party planning and Hostess game!
Love For Cooking From Scratch
I love cooking from Scratch! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t always cook from scratch and sometimes “Cheat” on recipes using premade things for parts of recipes. But cooking from scratch just feels better and allows me to alter or change a recipe. Plus it just feels like more love and attention goes into the meal, which makes it taste all the better anyway.
One of my favorite meals I discovered in my love for cooking from scratch was Homemade Sloppy Joes. I loved the canned version as a kid and young adult, but wanted a healthier version when I had kids of my own. And luckily after a few tweaks on a Pinterest recipe I came across, I nailed one that was WAY Healthier than the canned version, and it tasted so much better.
My Kids have a love for cooking now too. Once in a while when we were bored of the same recipes we would play our version of Iron Chef. Sometimes it worked out well and sometimes it didn’t. Most of the time we keep a notebook nearby so we can write down our ingredients, measurements, and steps just in case it turns into a dish we want to make again. Either way, we’ve created some great memories along the way. My youngest and I created this tangy tropical chicken recipe that turned out better than we thought it would! (I still have yet to remake it, take pictures and post it here, so stay tuned!)
One of my favorite things about cooking from scratch is that you can add or alter ingredients with any recipe. Which is a must in my house with the different allergies and food preferences. Most of the time I try any recipe that is given to me or that I find online or in magazines the way it is written. (Unless there is something in the recipe someone in the house is allergic to, then I make needed alterations.) Then I’ll “Play with my food”, and change or add ingredients and sometimes the cooking method to improve the recipe or make it fit my family’s tastes better.
Finding My Love For Cooking
Finding my love for cooking was a journey and a love that runs deep. It is a passion, my love language and something I’ve always found comfort and peace in. With Inspiration and guidance from numerous people throughout my life. (And cooking shows.) It’s been a way to do what I love while taking care of my family and friends. It’s also been a fun way for me to express my creativity and try new things. I love learning new tricks and putting them to use. I also love trying different foods, and food and beverage/ wine pairings.
If You have a Love for Cooking or not, Don’t be Afraid to Play with your Food
Whether or not you enjoy cooking or baking, we all need to eat. Getting in the kitchen and learning how to cook or bake can be so much fun. Especially if you “play with your food.” You already know what foods you like, so why not play with some of your favorite dishes or recipes and make something new. It might even turn into a new favorite dish! Besides, cooking can be so fulfilling and a great way to bond with those you love. You can check out some of my favorite recipes here and maybe find something new you and your loved ones can enjoy. Salute!