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If you’re well versed in stressful mealtimes, you might dread that time of the day when your kids (and partner) tell you they are hungry. It can feel like your cooking endeavors are a whirlwind of chaos no matter what you do, and even putting a tray of fries and chicken nuggets into the oven somehow goes awry. 

But, cooking is supposed to be fun, even if you aren't the best cook in the world. You shouldn’t nervously anticipate the mealtimes, and instead, it should be something you look forward to. This won’t happen without eliminating stress, though, so here’s some advice to make you fall back in love with cooking. 

Find Trusted Resources 

It can be daunting to try a recipe from scratch, but that’s the beauty of the internet and cookbooks. Now, you don’t need to go into every new meal blind as you can dip into expert knowledge and pick and choose the best parts of the recipe to suit you. If you can find several trusted resources, you can rely on them for any meal, as you should have a diverse range of options that help you put together something, even if you’ve never made it before. 

Stick to Simplicity 

Many people struggle with kitchen stress because they get too ambitious. They associate ambition with high-quality food, but the truth is that you can keep it simple and still make something delicious. More experienced cooks know that seasoning can enhance even the most straightforward meal, so you can take a standard chicken breast or pork chops to the next level with a sprinkling of salt and pepper combined with garlic and onion. 

Getting to know your spices and understanding which combinations work best is a must for anyone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen and if you can find a reliable connection, you’ll never need to worry about extravagant meals ever again. 

Explore Meal Prep 

Ask anyone how they eliminate stress in the kitchen and they’ll tell you that they decided to explore meal prep. Instead of making everything on the day, prepping meals gives you a convenient way to enjoy healthy and filling meals without the hassle of cooking then and there. 

Of course, you still need to find time to prepare these meals beforehand. But, buying and cooking in bulk means you can fill your fridge and freezer with ready-to-eat meals that you can grab whenever you feel too tired or stressed to cook. 

Make Your Kitchen Work For You 

Your kitchen should not be a competitor, but rather a companion. Without your kitchen, you won’t be able to make anything, so you must make your oven, stove, and countertops work for you. 

One way to achieve this is by looking at essential kitchen tools. Slow cookers, air fryers, and instant pots are all superb additions to any kitchen. If you struggle with certain tricky foods (like rice), you can research how to cook white rice in an instant pot and transform your Asian-inspired meals. These tools take care of some of the more stressful parts of cooking and allow you to focus on other things without interruption. 

Keep Your Freezer and Cupboards Well Stocked 

Have you ever looked in your cupboard and lamented that there is nothing to eat? You’re not alone. Many people have planned a meal only to discover they don’t have half of the ingredients they need. Immediately, this is stressful, as their plans are in tatters and they need to run to the store to stock up.

But, if you keep your freezer and cupboards stocked, you won’t run into this problem again. A cupboard packed with spices and sauces can add flavor, while a freezer of frozen vegetables can add nutrients and texture, making quick meals easier to whip up. 

Invest In Quality Utensils 

A final issue is the quality of your utensils. Blunt knives are as dangerous as they are frustrating, so you need to keep your knives sharp to ensure a positive kitchen environment. Likewise, high-quality food, a garlic presser, and a meat thermometer are all vital as they help you stay on top of your cooking by helping to add flavor and ensure the food is cooked to perfection. 

Fun In the Kitchen 

Whether you’re an experienced cook or you’ve just started to explore the full potential of your kitchen, food, and flavors, these tips can make your mealtime adventures much more enjoyable. Although you may still have your kids ask repeatedly what’s for dinner and when you're going to serve it up, you’ll at least feel more positive about the dish you serve, and you might even be able to enjoy it yourself.