Do you never have time to cook? Are you reliant on your microwave? Do you have your local takeouts on speed dial? Many people assume that it takes ages to create healthy meals at home or that you need Masterchef level skills. But in reality, you can rustle up something nutritious in minutes using incredibly basic recipes. If you’re keen to hone your culinary skills and embrace healthy eating, this guide will help you to crack healthy cooking at home.

Learn the basics

If you know how to scramble an egg or make a sponge, you’re capable of doing all kinds of incredible things in the kitchen. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can increase your repertoire and gradually build your skill level. If you’re starting from this point, look for recipes, and get used to cooking more frequently.

If you’re starting from scratch, get some help. Is your mom a wizard in the kitchen or do you have a friend renowned for throwing great dinner parties? Set aside a couple of afternoons, and let them show you how to make a few basic meals. Omelettes are an excellent place to start. They are quick, simple, healthy, and versatile. If you’re not used to your kitchen, practice makes perfect. Get used to the hob and familiarize yourself with cake tins, weighing scales, and frying pans. With cooking, it’s often a matter of increasing your confidence and having the courage to try new things.

Don’t write yourself off as a terrible chef if you’ve had a bad experience in the past. Even Gordon Ramsay has probably had his fair share of kitchen nightmares in the past.

Kit your kitchen out

If you’re switching to home cooking and ditching the ready meals, you may need to invest in some kit. You don’t need to go wild in the aisles and buy every kitchen gadget going. But you will need a collection of pans and utensils. Make sure you have sharp knives for cutting, saucepans, and frying pans. You’ll need some mixing bowls, chopping boards and a timer. It’s also a good idea to buy some scales and baking trays. Once you’ve got the essentials, you can add useful items as you increase your range of dishes. You can find all kinds of gizmos for the kitchen out there, such as egg pouches for poached eggs and an all-day breakfast pan. If you’re not sure what to buy, the Internet is a fantastic resource. You’ll find everything from reviews of the best cast iron skillets to recommendations for blenders.

Before you start cooking, make sure your kitchen is ready for action. Clear away any clutter to free up your work surfaces. Make sure the washing up is done and get an apron on. Finally, take all the ingredients out of the cupboards, and get your equipment prepared.

Order some books

It may seem old-fashioned in the age of the Internet, but recipe books are an excellent way to broaden your culinary horizons. People have been following written recipes for years, and it’s a method that has worked well through the ages. If you go to a bookshop or visit an online store, you’ll find hundreds of different titles. If you’re a beginner, it’s wise to look for simple recipes. As you get more confident, you can and order more titles and attempt more complex meals.

Get online

Many of use the Internet on a daily basis to communicate with friends, work, and check what’s going on in the world. The web is also an excellent resource for people who are interested in food. There are numerous food blogs out there, and you can also search for recipes. If you use a search engine, you’ll find hundreds of links. When you visit a website, you can narrow the results. Perhaps you’re looking for 15-minute meals, or you want a 500-calorie main meal. You might be looking for a chicken dish or searching for vegetarian starters. Whatever your preference, you can refine the search within seconds.

 

Plan a menu and do a weekly grocery shop

If you’re making a conscious effort to be healthier, your grocery shop is incredibly important. Many of us give into temptation when we wander through the store, and it’s good to get out of this habit. When you have spare time, plan a weekly menu. Write down a meal option for each day, and the ingredients you’ll need. You’ll save money by buying only what you’ll use, and avoid unhealthy snacks and treats. If you’re worried about your willpower, you could do an online shop. This way, you’ll get everything on your list delivered to your door without having to traipse past aisles of chips and chocolate.

 

Try and vary your menu every week. There may be dishes the family loves that you have every week. But don’t have the same things all the time. Variety is the spice of life, and it will prevent you from getting bored of your healthy eating regime. If you’re struggling for ideas, consult your recipe books and your favorite foodie websites.

If you work late, or you’re busy, try batch cooking. When you have time, cook large servings and then freeze what you don’t use that day. Have you got a late meeting one day? If so,  take the meal out of the freezer before you leave for work, and then warm it up later. Casseroles, pasta dishes, soup, and classics like chili, are excellent options.

Take some lessons

If you’re a cooking convert, you may be eager to develop your skills and take your masterpieces to the next level. If so, why not take some cooking lessons? You’ll be able to find details of cooking schools in your local area online.

 

Have you decided that it’s time to focus on your health? Are you sick of spending your salary on takeouts? Do you want to make use of your kitchen and learn to cook? If so, hopefully, these tips will help. Once you’re up and running, practice makes perfect. You’re bound to have a few disasters along the way, but don’t give up. Take some lessons, and follow recipes. You’ll be more confident and capable in no time at all!