Divorce can be a tough time, leaving you feeling lost and unsure about your next steps. One way to rediscover yourself and build confidence is by learning something new—like cooking! Exploring the culinary arts isn’t just about making food; it’s about creativity, relaxation, and enjoying the process of making something delicious. Plus, it’s a life skill that can make you feel more independent and capable.
This guide will help you get started with cooking. We’ve included simple steps, resources, websites, podcasts, and books to make it easy for you. Whether you’re a total beginner or want to improve your cooking skills, this blog will guide you every step of the way.
Why Start Cooking After Divorce?
- Healing Through Creativity: Cooking lets you focus on something productive and fun, helping you forget your worries.
- Building Confidence: Learning new skills can make you feel more capable and independent.
- Saving Money: Cooking at home is much cheaper than eating out.
- Healthier Choices: You control the ingredients, so you can eat healthier and feel better.
Step-by-Step Guide to Start Cooking
1. Start Small
- Begin with simple recipes like soups, sandwiches, or pasta dishes.
- Look for 5-ingredient or one-pot recipes to keep things easy.
- Websites like AllRecipes and BBC Good Food have beginner-friendly recipes.
2. Get the Right Tools
- Basic tools you need:
- A good knife (check Amazon for affordable chef knives).
- Cutting board, pots, pans, and a spatula.
- Consider getting a basic kitchen starter set like this one from Home Depot.
3. Learn the Basics
- Watch YouTube channels like Tasty or Pro Home Cooks for easy cooking tutorials.
- Enroll in an online cooking course:
- Udemy Cooking Classes (offers beginner-friendly courses).
- MasterClass with famous chefs like Gordon Ramsay (affiliate link).
4. Practice Meal Prep
- Meal prepping saves time and ensures you have healthy meals ready for the week.
- Check out Meal Prep on Fleek for easy meal prep guides.
Helpful Resources for Beginner Cooks
Websites
- Serious Eats – In-depth cooking tips and techniques.
- Minimalist Baker – Simple, easy-to-make recipes using 10 ingredients or less.
- Budget Bytes – Affordable recipes with step-by-step photos.
Podcasts
- Home Cooking: A podcast for beginners featuring fun and easy recipes.
- The Sporkful: Talks about food in a way that’s relatable for everyone.
- Gastropod: Explores the history and science behind food.
Magazines
- Bon Appétit: Offers recipe inspiration and cooking tips.
- Cooking Light: Great for healthy and simple recipes.
- Food Network Magazine: Full of beginner-friendly recipes and cooking hacks.
Books
- Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat – Teaches the basics of good cooking (affiliate link to purchase on Amazon).
- The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer – A classic beginner’s cookbook.
- Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain – An entertaining dive into the world of cooking.
Where to Find Ingredients
- Local Farmers’ Markets: Fresh and affordable produce.
- Online Stores: Instacart delivers groceries to your doorstep. Thrive Market is great for organic options.
- Grocery Delivery: Services like Amazon Fresh or Walmart Grocery save you time.
Hobbies to Pair with Cooking
- Food Photography: Learn to take great pictures of your dishes. Check out tutorials on Canva.
- Gardening: Grow your own herbs and veggies. Visit Gardening Know How for tips.
- Writing: Start a food blog to share your culinary journey. Use WordPress to get started.
Cooking Apps to Download
- Yummly – Personalized recipe recommendations.
- Tasty – Step-by-step video recipes.
- Kitchen Stories – Beginner-friendly recipes with video guides.
