Cooking from scratch is a term that you may be hearing more and more, especially in homesteading circles. So what does it actually mean to cook from scratch? What type of recipes would this include, and is it difficult and time consuming to cook this way? Lets take a deep dive into the world of cooking from scratch and if it is for you.
The only real stumbling block is the fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude – Julia child
What does it mean cooking from scratch?
Lets begin with what it is not. Cooking from scratch doesn’t mean that you have to make everything from scratch. Like for instance baking your own bread, making your own pasta, condiments and so on. Don’t get me wrong if you can make these then that’s amazing, and keep up the good work.
But if you are new to cooking from scratch don’t get booged down with perfection, the ideal. Just do your best whatever that looks like.
Home cooking though should a basic element of any homemaking. It is sad that this skill has been slowly dying the last few decades. To cook from scratch is something that we should all be striving to do, it will not only benefit us personally but it will benefit our families too.
Processed foods have taken over our supermarkets, all those center aisles. The convenience of being able to place something straight in the oven or microwave and within a few minutes it is ready can be tempting.
Yes, this can be very alluring to those of us that are worked to the bone with very little time to spare. I have been guilty of this trap when I am tired and rundown. Just the thought of cooking can be so overwhelming.
What is the solution?
- Learning how to cook a few basic simple meal that are made from whole nutritional ingredients is a great start. It wont be perfect in the beginning but you have to start somewhere.
- Find foods and recipes that you really enjoy and that your family love this will really help to motivate you to want to cook.
- If you are that very busy person then planning is more than likely going to be the key to success. Although, over the years I have found that to be easier said than done. Not all of us are planners.
- Have a stocked pantry full of all the basics only buying the fresh ingredients when needed. I have a baking pantry staples list here and also check out diywithmyguy.com pantry staple list
- Have the right tools for the job. You don’t need all the gadgets out there. But like for any other job the tools can make all the difference. Check out my baking tool list here as an example.
Ways to plan your meals
The planners
If you are a planner then that is amazing. Knowing what you will be eating for the week can take the thought process out of it. Choose easy meals for days you know you will be busy. Leaving meals that may require more time to the quieter days.
- Setting aside time to write out a meal plan that works for your family
- Make the grocery list specific to those meals
- Freeze foods that can spoil quickly, like meat. Don’t forget to plan to defrost them in time, for when they will be needed.
The Preppers
I admire these people, those that will spend an entire day chopping, dicing and bagging up meal after meal. It truly is amazing, if you have the patience then this is probably the most efficient for busy families.
- Have a handful of go to meals that work well to be prepped in advance.
- Make a plan of what is needed for each meal in regards to the prep required.
- Have a grocery list and purchase the food that is needed.
- Set aside at least a day to prep each meal.
- Label then freeze each meal. Obviously you will need adequate freezer space to be able to prep like this.
Simple eaters
You are lucky if this is you. No fancy ingredients or recipes needed here. Repeating and rotating the same or similar recipes is for you.
- Find a handful of recipes that you like and rotate through these through the month.
- Keep your shopping list simple trying to use the same ingredients for multiple recipes
- Plan out your meals for the week or month.
- Have quick and easy recipes
Easy cooking from scratch recipe ideas
- Traybakes, like Chicken with vegetables and potatoes. Which meal putting it in one dish and baking it all together. This is a very simple meal that anyone can do. With so many good quality seasonings the varieties are endless. Although this one from justaveragejen.com is yummy.
- Marinated chicken. Prepared in advance, bagged and frozen taking out what you need as you need it.
- Any vegetables. That’s pretty obvious. Many people don’t like vegetables because they say they are bland or the main reason I think is because they aren’t cooked right. Try to find tasty vegetable recipes packed full of flavour. You should check out my creamy leek recipe it one of the most popular recipes that I have.
- My quinoa salad. This may sound like a difficult recipe but it couldn’t be farther from the truth. My husband loves this salad. I will make an extra large batch and he will eat it all week for lunch.
- Baking, Cakes cookies, loafs and muffins there are so many goodies to make from scratch. Baking can be a great place to begin your cooking from scratch journey. Although be careful because that sweet tooth will hit you, we want to improve our health not fill it will more sweets.
The takeaway point
Pinterest should be your friend. Filled full of recipes that cater to everyone. There you will find endless recipes to make not matter what you cooking skills are.
At the end of the day none of us should shy away from cooking from scratch. It is something that anyone can do. It may take more trial for some than other and may come in different forms.
Cooking from scratch is definitely a skill that we all should learn. Along with trying to reduce the amount of processed foods that we consume. You and your family wont regret learning how.
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