Roger Morph 
It is mid-way through 2022. You might have recently taken a look at your New Year’s resolutions and realized you have not tackled some of your goals for the year. If you are reading this article, there is a high probability that one of your main goals for the year is to improve your cooking skills. Get ready to take a stab at learning some new recipes and move out of your comfort zone this summer! If you are a beginner who is merely an expert at making mac and cheese but little else, this is the guide for you. In this article, we will go through a list of tips and tricks to get started to make this goal a reality!
Tip #1: Your Blender Is Your Best Friend
Our first tip is to invest in a blender. Blenders can seem like an intimidating, pricey, and an unnecessary kitchen appliance, but we are here to tell you that is not the case. Firstly, you can purchase very affordable blenders. Secondly, you can use a blender for more than just kale smoothies. Do not get us wrong, fruit smoothies are great in the summertime! You can also use your blender to make summer cocktails and frappuccinos. Having a blender will greatly enhance your beverage game in the hot summer months!
Tip #2: Get Proper Pans
The second tip is to invest in a new set of steel pans. When you keep pans for too long, they can start crumbling, causing little pieces of the coating to get into your food. Instead of continuing to purchase low-quality non-stick pans, consider investing in a sturdy set of steel pans. Steel pans tend to be more expensive but are worth the investment since they have better longevity.
Many recommend the brand HexClad. This brand works for beginners because a well-seasoned HexClad pan provides the cooking experience of stainless steel, non-stick, and cast iron in a single pan. They are the first ever cookware line to fuse PFOA-free non-stick and stainless steel that is laser-etched into a honeycomb pattern. All those buzzwords mean that these steel pans provide you with the best of both worlds!
Tip #3: Air Fryers Are More Than Trendy
Air fryers are one of those kitchen appliances that you may think are unnecessary if you have an oven and microwave in your home. We are here to confirm that they are essential to helping you cook more and better. Plus, it is actually healthier to cook with an air fryer because you do not need any oils, so it is a great alternative to cooking deep-fried foods.
The appliance itself is also very user-friendly, which is perfect for beginners. For example, you may have never attempted to make pork chops before. With an air fryer, this meal is much less daunting. Another positive to using the air fryer is not having to turn on your oven. In the hot summer months, the last thing you want to do is preheat your oven; the air fryer makes cooking the same meals possible without all the energy!
Tip #4: Start a Small Garden
Another great way to improve your cooking skills this summer is to start a small backyard garden. Growing and nurturing your own ingredients will make you care more about the delicacy of cooking your own food and will help you feel more connected to it. Putting care and effort into a small herb and vegetable garden will take you a long way. We recommend starting with herbs such as basil and rosemary as they do not require too much attention. Then, you can move to ingredients like tomatoes and peppers.
Like blenders, a common garden misconception is that it has to be pricey. However, you can start a garden with minimal money and supplies. If you just want to start with herbs, you can create an indoor herb garden, which is helpful if you do not have a lot of outdoor space. Trust us, you will take pride in using your own creations in your future dishes. The more recipes you enjoy and start experimenting with, the more ingredients you can begin growing yourself.
You Can Reach Your Goals
Cooking can be extremely daunting, but it does not have to be. Take a look at the appliances you use regularly and make a list of typical meals you prepare, then take the time to invest in new pans. Once you get used to cooking with those, re-read this list and see which cooking territory you want to conquer next. By the end of the summer, you will be amazed at what you can cook!
