My Journey to Cooking My First Best Dish: Lessons from Master Chefs and Practice Makes Perfect

My love for cooking started young, inspired by two great master chefs in my lifemy mother and elder sister. Each dish I've prepared and cherished is a step in my culinary journey. One of my proudest moments was when I first cooked Carrot Halwa in my 9th grade. At that time, I didn't know how convenient YouTube and Google were for recipes, but I was determined to make it.

Learning Carrot Halwa

One day, my family friend served me a delicious cup of Carrot Halwa. I was hooked by its taste and asked for the recipe. Reluctantly, she agreed, and I took it upon myself to recreate this sweet delight. It turned out well, much to the delight of my family and even the neighborhood aunties who asked for the recipe. Here's a photo of my creation:

Repetition: The Key to Mastery

You'll notice that as you cook, you'll encounter many dishes that you'll make repeatedly. But it's through this repetition that you'll find your first true dish that you can call your best. My first best dish? It's Vermicelli Rice with Meatballs Dipped in Tomato Stew. Here's a picture for you to imagine it:

Learning from My Mom

Most of what I've learned in cooking comes from my mother, an extraordinary cook. Being the eldest sibling with no house help, I was often her helper in the kitchen. I watched her closely, fetching ingredients and utensils. Over time, I began assisting more hands-on, such as stirring and adding ingredients and spices.

More importantly, I learned to cook small meals for myself. Sometimes I nailed it, but other times I had to admit defeat and start over. Practice was key. I started with the basics and worked my way up, eventually even outpacing my mother with some dishes. Later, I realized that observation and practice were the most valuable lessons I could have learned in the kitchen.

Advice for Aspiring Cooks

Learning to cook is a personal journey,one that you may undertake with the guidance of a mentor or through self-tuition. If you're fortunate enough to have a mentor, whether a family member or a friend, take it as an opportunity to learn. If that's not an option, YouTube is a treasure trove of information and inspiration. Watch recipes carefully, and then try them out yourself. Remember, start with the basics.

Practice makes perfect, and as you experiment with different dishes and techniques, you'll find your strengths and weaknesses. Critically, have fun and keep trying, even when things don't go as planned. Your culinary journey is unique to you and filled with a wealth of learning opportunities.

Here's a Meatballs Dipped in Tomato Stew for you to consider: