In honour of the 3rd season of Queer Eye that was just released on Netflix, I decided to channel my inner Antoni and write a post on food! More specifically, I want you to overcome your fear of cooking and have fun while preparing meals for yourself. “Ugh, cooking for one… Is there anything more boring and annoying than that?” You’ve heard it, you’ve maybe said it yourself, and I’ve felt it too. When I started living on my own last year, cooking for one was the part of adulting that I dreaded the most. But not anymore honey!

Growing up, I did have an interest in cooking, but I mostly baked desserts and then didn’t have any motivation left for actual meals. However, there were two meals that I would cook like a boss: Greek-inspired lemon chicken, and chili. Oh and then I was obsessed with chicken fajitas for like, 5 years. Yep. So you are not alone in this my friend!

My 5 tips to help you master (and love) cooking for one

Here are my 5 tips to help you love cooking for yourself! Enjoy and bon appétit!

1. Start with what’s familiar to you and build from there.

   Begin with easy recipes that you are familiar with and enjoy eating. This will not only build up your confidence in the kitchen, but it will also help you realize that you already got what it takes to be a pretty decent chef! If you have no experience in the kitchen, start with eggs: breakfasts are easy to master or try maybe an omelette.

2. From scrapbooking to scrapcooking!

   Ok, I know, that’s not even a word, and no I do not mean for you to cook with scraps, but sure you can! The fabulous concept involved here is to find your inspiration before you make magic in the kitchen. What has helped me the most was Pinterest, definitely. In fact, I had bookmarked so many recipes that I needed to create several boards: one for appetizers, one for desserts, one for drinks, one for vegetarian meals, etc.
   

3. No inspiration? No problem!

   I am lucky enough to live very near to a supermarket so I can go shopping for food pretty much as often as I want to. I understand that this is not the case for everyone, but you can still use my tip and adapt it to your lifestyle.

   Now I do love to cook delicious meals, but I also love to respect my budget. In order to do that, I usually go for what’s on special at the store because why pay full price, right? It not only helps me to save money while eating healthy but it also inspires my meals for the week to come. Frozen shrimps are on sale? Grab a bag and keep it in the freezer for when you feel like cooking a fancy seafood meal. Veggies are on sale? Time for a sauté! Don’t be afraid to be a bit of a food hoarder here. It will come in handy in the future, I promise!

   

4. Always be prepared for crises.

   The fridge is empty and so is your stomach (and maybe your wallet too!). Thankfully, you froze some portions of the recipes you made ahead so you have supper and several lunches ready in the freezer! Also, you are a genius and have soup cans in the pantry, frozen fish fillets in the freezer and dried pasta (see #3). These are just a few of the ingredients you MUST have on hand at all times to save your hungry ass on weekdays when you need to fix yourself a quick meal. Also, sometimes you simply don’t have the inspiration or motivation for cooking. You know, THOSE days. So make sure you always have the basic ingredients to cook a little something.

   Here are a few ingredients that I always keep on hand: frozen shrimps, fish fillets, frozen fruit (hello smoothies!), bread (frozen or fresh, for breakfasts, sandwiches and grilled cheeses, amen!), soup cans (hello childhood memories), eggs, and pasta.

5. Eat your heart out, and talk about it.

   A lot, and often. I got a ton of great recipes ideas and tips while talking about food and meals to friends. Most often, it was over lunch… #guilty. That’s how I learned that my friend’s friend was making her own bagels and I went all WHAAAATT. That was a big moment for me, a self-confessed bagel-obsessed gal. In fact, I have really gotten into making my own dough lately (not money, real edible dough! But yeah money too). From bagels to pizza dough, I am obsessed. The proof? Here I am making the most delicious crispy pizza dough for my friends who came over for supper 🙂

Top recipes that I’ve tested and approved – several times

When I love a recipe, I like to stick with it for a while. So in order to inspire you and make you hungry, I decided to share some of my favourite recipes to make. You won’t be disappointed!

• Ricardo makes a mad chili, but mine is even better 😉 I add mushrooms, carrots and chipotle. This recipe can be adapted to become vegan-friendly.
• Julia‘s garlic shrimp pasta recipe is to die for. This is restaurant quality so you can make this to impress a date or your parents.
• And for dessert? I have baked this cranberry and orange loaf a countless number of times and I never get tired of it! I’ve tried variations of it, such as blueberry and lemon and it was yummm! PS: this is delicious for breakfast too 😉

Voilà! Hope that helps! Now let’s get cookin’, shall we? 😉 Let me know about your progress in the kitchen! I am rooting for you!!

-xox- Marika