I want to learn how to cook properly and make simple recipes and don’t spend too much time looking for what to make everyday.

So I start looking into some recipes I can make with the instant pot that we have at home.

But then I can’t find certain ingredients in the local supermarket, or the ingredients are too expensive, so I start searching for other places to buy cheaper produce. Then I also start looking at what recipes don’t take too much time to make, and read about meal prep and such, and find communities and websites. And then I look at local classes for learning how to cook, but they are way too expensive and I’m not sure whether they will be any good, etc…

And so I spend hours and hours researching all these things, but I never actually start cooking or go to the grocery store for ingredients.

I’m now feeling tired and have no energy to actually do any cooking anymore. And I just have no clue where to get started.

It seems like I’m stuck thinking of how to do something the best way possible, instead of actually trying something. But when I want to try something, I have no idea where to even start.

Anybody experience the same sometimes?

  • Deestan@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    8 months ago

    Yes, the never-ending feeling that a small amount of more effort could make the result better. Recognize and counter it.

    Perfect is the enemy of done

    Mentally decide to do it imperfectly or even “badly”. Pick the first recipe you see. Buy ingredients of any quality you find. Cook it with the utensils you have - whisk with a fork, knead badly by hand, etc.

    Trust yourself that if you aren’t pleased with the result, you will make adjustments for next time.

    • NationProtons@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      1·
      8 months ago

      Thanks. I want to try this and accept it if things go wrong. I already realise that in the worst case, we go to a restaurant nearby or order pizza or something.

      But somehow my brain wants me to do hours of effort to make it perfect. I should have some kind of training to accept mistakes and imperfect results.

  • DessertStorms@kbin.social
    1·
    8 months ago

    You went down a rabbit hole and got overwhelmed, it happens to the best of us lol…

    Try breaking down the big task in to smaller steps and focus only on the next step. Remember you’re only starting out, keep things simple at first as you get to know for yourself your likes and dislikes (advice from others is great, but taste is personal as is ability), cooking isn’t going anywhere!

  • s12@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    0·
    8 months ago

    I HATE cooking recipes! They always seem to want to make you go above and beyond when you just want to eat.

    • NationProtons@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      0·
      8 months ago

      I would love to be able to just make anything based on whatever is in the fridge. But I don’t really have much experience yet, and especially on days when I’m tired, I feel incapable of thinking up something to prepare. I just stare at the fridge and pantry and have no clue where to start.

      • s12@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        0·
        8 months ago

        I usually start by identifying the “meat” I want to have, then preheat the oven if necessary. The meat usually takes longest to cook.

        While that’s happening, I check that I have all the other stuff I need. Once the oven’s preheated, I put the meat (and anything else to be oven cooked) in and set the timer according to the packaging instructions. Once it reaches 10-12 minutes, I usually boil some pasta/rise with some veg.

        I’m not sure if that’s the best way, but it works for me.

        • NationProtons@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          1·
          8 months ago

          I think that’s a good idea.

          I actually like taking recipes and trying to reduce them to their most generic form. Like a curry, or a stew, or a salad. Most of the ingredients can be substituted, but the basic steps are the same.