I like to cook.
That being said, I used to be afraid of the kitchen. When my parents were teaching me to how to make my way around the kitchen, it didn’t start of very well. Neither of them uses recipes and they are both phenomenal chefs. I remember comparing my mushy rice to my mom’s coconut rice perfection and turning my steak into a rubbery chew toy. I was disheartened. I gave up. I turned my attention being really good at cleaning and housekeeping and anything that kept me away from the stove.
It wasn’t until I moved into my own apartment that I developed the courage, and became hungry enough, to venture back into the kitchen. Without the pressure of my own unrealistic expectations – and when I say unrealistic I mean unrealistic, my parents own their own restaurant – I slowly started following recipes and making them my own.
I was lucky enough to have my friends to practice on and, before I knew it, I became at home in the kitchen and a little more adventurous. After trying new tricks and improving on old favorites, I learned to like cooking and I am certain that anyone can learn to like it as well. If you head over to the Food and Fun section, you will find some of my favorites.
My recipes will typically come in pairs. The first is for the ideal. If you are Martha Stewart or Betty Crocker or some other fantastical being who always has all of the ingredients in the right amounts, Recipe 1 is for you. Also, if you are responsible enough to prepare for meals before you make them, I suggest Recipe 1.
However, if you’re a little more like me and like to do things on the fly, or you’ve forgotten something at the store, or Jesus has descended from on high and stolen all of your paprika, recipe 2 is for you. Hell, just try recipe two for fun and see where it gets you.