I was told by my elementary school art teacher that I could not draw.

That hurt. I was in a musical at a local Equity dinner theatre, the school choir, and a cheerleader, so the sting was lessened a bit by being distracted by other activities. Though distracted, I carried the thought I was bad at drawing with me. I always felt awful when I was asked to draw. I would not want to draw, because I was no good at it, so I would not draw. I did not draw, so I never learned how to do it.

What happens when we don’t think we can do something?

Do we simply choose not to do it? Do we do it regardless of whether or not we are any good at it? Do we become determined to practice and get better at it? Is the choice that clear?

I don’t draw and have not ever really tried to learn. I don’t really cook, either. But, I am taking a different approach to learning how to cook.

I have never been a great cook, but I am learning. I have good pots and pans, mostly. My knives could be better. I find good recipes. I buy good ingredients. I make successful recipes again and again hoping to make them better and better.

What I am learning by learning to cook?

Practice Practice Practice

I have not made any recipe perfectly the first time I make it. It takes making it several times before I get it right. (Unless it is awful the first time I make it. Then I don’t make it again.) As I practice, I learn the heat of my stove and oven. As I practice, I am better at chopping and mixing. As I practice, I am better cook. I keep working at it.

Use Good Ingredients

What you use in a recipe makes a big difference. The fresher the ingredients, the better the taste. The fresher the ingredients, the more beautiful the color. The fresher the ingredients, the better the result. What we put in to all things matters.

Be Creative

New to cooking, I rely on recipes rather than just throwing ingredients together. Creativity in cooking, for me, means searching for great recipes, finding the best ingredients, tasting, and placing food on a plate in a beautiful way. I have not gotten to the place with cooking where I can rely on my instincts without risking a complete fail, but I am becoming more courageous meal by meal.

Pay Attention

I have to pay attention when I cook. I have to be present. When I am not, bad things happen. I cut my fingers. I drop large bags of rice. I set off the fire alarm. I put too much red pepper in the soup. I burn the squash. I use bad milk. Cooking reminds me to be in the moment. Cooking reminds me to notice details. Cooking reminds me to slow down.

Generosity

I love to cook for others and I hate to cook for just myself. Making a meal takes time and attention. It communicates care that can not be shared many ways. I get real joy when I cook a meal. I smile from my toes when I see quickly spotless plates, hear conversation as people pass bowls of food, and taste a dish that I know will be a hit around a table. As I get to be a better and better cook, I will continue to cook more for others.

I am grateful that I am learning to cook. I am grateful I have not just given up as I have endured bumps and bruises along my cooking road. I have been at it for a while now. Even though I am not great at it, I will keep cooking.