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Cooking can seem daunting and intimidating, especially to those with mageirocophobia, a fear of cooking. Learning how to cook can be freeing, empowering, and an important life skill. This guide will provide bachelors with the tools they need to master the kitchen, from simple recipes and tips to advice on stocking up on kitchen essentials.
With this guide, you'll be able to whip up delicious meals and impress friends and family alike—all without ever having to step foot in a restaurant.
Understanding mageirocophobia and what causes it
Mageirocophobia is a specific phobia that is defined as the irrational fear of cooking or eating, but it is not considered severe enough for treatment unless a person is severely afraid or impacted. Most of the time, it is a common social anxiety disorder caused by negative reactions to common cooking mistakes, post-traumatic stress from cooking, or the fear of others cooking for the phobic person.
Overcoming Your Fear of Cooking Step-by-Step
Before you begin to conquer your fear of cooking, you must first understand why you have developed this fear. Once you understand the root of your fear, you can begin to work towards overcoming it. To overcome your fear of cooking, start by preparing easy and simple recipes, such as sandwiches or salads. Once you have become comfortable making these simple dishes, you can slowly begin to advance to more complex recipes.
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Easy Recipes for Beginner Cooks
1. Khichdi is the best dish for a bachelor who is trying to strike a healthy work-life balance. Putting together this delicious meal in a pressure cooker is as simple as adding your preferred vegetables, lentils, rice, and spices. Making khichdi is a quick and easy process that takes less than 10 minutes. And you can get all the nutrients your body needs while also enjoying a quick, easy, and comforting meal.
2. Smoothies are a great last-resort option for those who find themselves short on time but still want a healthy and filling meal. Smoothies, whether in the form of a glass or a bowl, are a convenient and versatile way to get all the nutrients your body needs in one convenient and delicious package.
3. Everyone in India, no matter their age, loves a good bowl of dal and rice. Dal-chawal is a staple food that everyone should know how to make. Aside from being healthy, this dish is also simple to make, and any type of dal is high in essential nutrients.
4. Rice, yoghurt, and spices are all you need to make this South Indian staple known as curd rice, also known as yoghurt rice. Simple in preparation, this dish requires only a few pantry staples and can be made even by a kitchen rookie. Fry some papads, add your favorite pickle, and you have a great, wholesome meal.
5. Chilka roti is an option if you're not in the mood to prepare fresh vegetables. Put some aata (flour), some chopped onion, some chopped tomatoes, some coriander leaves, some haldi powder, some salt, some jeera powder, and enough water to make a thick paste into a bowl, and then use that paste to cook some food on a hot tawa.
Some tips and hacks for making cooking fun and enjoyable
• To make the eggs easier to peel while boiling, add a teaspoon of baking soda.
• Second, peeling and chopping off the ends of the onion can help prevent tears. Soak it in cold water for 30 seconds, and no more tears!
• Since the flower head is the part of the cauliflower that is consumed, it is best to choose a cauliflower that is not too heavy, as the heavier the head, the more stems there will be and the less edible it will be.
• While it is important to not be too scared of the mess that is created during the cooking process, always make sure to clean up afterwards to avoid fruit flies and the stench of rotting food waste. Also, a clean kitchen is more conducive to your cooking experiments for your next cooking adventure.
• Cooking shows and books are a great way to learn new cooking techniques and recipes with visual instructions. They're also great for beginners who want to focus on one specific type of cuisine.
Common Kitchen Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
1. Keep your hands clean; wash your hands before and after preparing meals to avoid spreading bacteria.
6. Avoid cross-contamination; clean all surfaces and tools that have come into contact with raw meat or vegetables.
7. Using the wrong pots and pans can be dangerous and cause food to burn or become unevenly cooked.
8. When cooking certain foods, the correct cooking temperatures are essential to keep the food safe and ensure it is properly cooked.
9. Using the wrong amount of seasoning: seasoning is important, but too much can be expensive and make the food taste bad.
Cooking can also be a great way to unwind after a long day and can be a very therapeutic activity, so what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
