5 Ways on How to Immediately Boost Your Kitchen Confidence
Is your kitchen confidence holding you back? Does the thought of stepping into your kitchen fill you with a mix of excitement and uncertainty? Then fear not! This post is going to sprinkle a dash of confidence into your culinary tool belt. Discover five simple ways to boost your kitchen skills & become a kitchen master.
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1. Master a “Signature Dish“
Saying it is simple. But doing it is going to require tenacity.
Your signature dish is that one go-to recipe that never fails to provide nourishment & comfort. It may not be fancy or plate up so pretty. And this is certainly not a feast – we’re talking just one simple piece of it.
But it feeds. That’s what matters.
This is the dish you want to be known for at all the gathering tables near & far. So, whether it’s a simple pasta dish, a hearty soup, or a mouthwatering dessert – you’ve got to own this one, lovely.
Mastering a particular recipe will skyrocket your confidence. And it’s not about a confidence-boosting recipe although that helps if it is. You just need repetition.
Practice makes progress, so whip it up regularly until it’s a masterpiece.
Or at least recognizable to Mom’s version. I mean, hey, after all. What more could you hope for?
BTW, mine is a basic meat blend with an insanely delicious seasoning profile. I use it to make my family-infamous burgers, meatloaf, shepherd’s pie, meatballs – you name it.
It’s truly a classic in our home. Here’s my signature dish recipe!
2. Equip yourself with the essential kitchen tools
Having a good handle on basic cooking techniques is a start, but a chef is only as good as her tools.
Invest in a few essential cooking tools and utensils to level up your kitchen game. A sharp chef’s knife, a sturdy cutting board, and quality pots and pans can make a world of difference. These will likely have the highest price tags, but they will also be the work horse of your kitchen. Buy the best quality you can to avoid having to replace these later down the line.
Plus, having the right tools at your fingertips boosts your kitchen confidence by turning cooking into a breeze. But don’t think that all your tools have to be the latest and greatest either.
You will find incredibly effective instruments at yard sales, thrift stores and used appliance markets. Besides that, don’t forget to take note of some forgotten pieces in your family’s kitchen. Chances are if you ask for something, you may walk away with 3 more things too. (Thanks, Mom!)
3. Conquer those knife skills
Alright, so you’ve got the right tools. And you just may have invested in a new chef’s knife or kitchen trimmer.
Time to break out the sharpener and get to it! (You got a sharpener right? oops)
The kitchen can be a bit intimidating if you’re not comfortable with a knife. So, spend some time mastering basic knife skills. Things like chopping, dicing, and slicing.
Knowing your way around a knife not only makes cooking more efficient but also boosts your culinary kitchen confidence as you handle ingredients like a pro.
You can find some good tutorials online for basic knife skills and chopping techniques. I actually enjoyed this one myself.
4. Experiment with new recipes & learn to salt food properly
This might sound scary & contrary to kitchen confidence. But, start tweaking recipes to suit your taste, dietary needs & preferences.
Swap ingredients, add your favorite spices.
Don’t have a favorite spice? Try some & find one!
Now salt isn’t exactly what I’m talking about, but you should be using it properly. It adds flavor, enhances flavor and brings out the flavor of the food it’s paired with. A dish may be simple if you’ve only used salt, but it will be incredibly delicious if you use the right amount of salt.
My family enjoys Redmond Real Salt, but you can easily find it in local stores, through Azure Standard or other bulk bin stores like Essential Organics too. So, shop around for the best bargain.
Being self-sufficient in the kitchen means you need to have good problem solving skills. If you haven’t developed them yet, now is the time!
Don’t be afraid to get creative; that’s all problem solving is anyway. Cooking creativity is something you can learn and grow into. And a great way to do that is by recipe experimentation.
The more you experiment, the more you’ll understand the complexity of flavors & the deliciousness of certain combinations. Then pretty soon, you’ll be crafting your own recipes with confidence.
Pro tip: Reserve the choicest (& maybe quietest) part of your day to try new recipes & skills. The calmer your environment, the less stressful it will be.
So maybe don’t try making roast duck on practice nights or the day before a long trip.
5. Celebrate your small wins – that’s the biggest kitchen confidence booster
Every victory counts. Your small wins might look something like perfectly seasoning a dish. Nailing the timing or plating your meal in a new way.
So go ahead – acknowledge your achievements!
Over time, you’ll start to recognize more cooking milestones. But it starts here with the small and the ordinary. No matter how small the kitchen victory, it builds a foundation of confidence that you’ll need to carry you through the bigger feats.
Remember, cooking is an evolving journey. Just like transforming your kitchen into a stronger self-sufficient space, the more you dive in, the more confident and skilled you become.
And while we’re talking about it, tell a friend or two! Having cheerleaders (AKA accountability partners) will go a long way!
Bonus: Fun Game Challenges to Boost Your Kitchen Confidence
Here are some exciting challenges you can use to spice up your kitchen journey. Make a game out of being in the kitchen so you can really get things done! Share your masterpiece with friends & fam to celebrate. Or keep track of what you’re doing to appreciate your growth later in your journey.
However you find your footing, I know you’ve got this, lovely.
Drop a comment to share what makes YOU feel supreme in the kitchen!
🌱 Start Small. Start Now. Start where you are with what you have. The rest will follow. 🌱
Is being more self-sufficient something you’re interested in but don’t know where to start?
The Self-Sufficient Roadmap is for you!
Designed it to eliminate some of the overwhelm, find out exactly where you are & what to look forward to next.