“This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook- try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!” – Julia Child
When I tell people that I have a cooking blog, I often find people confessing to me that they used to love to cook, but have been feeling a little burnt out or overwhelmed lately. On top of everything else in life, it is just so hard to plan and cook dinner. Every. Single. Day.
And I get it. When you have to shop for, plan, and prepare food for yourself and your family everyday (on top of handling all of the other daily parts of a busy family and life), it is easy to get overwhelmed and lose the joy of cooking that you may have once had.
But cooking doesn’t have to be a chore. It is actually possible to enjoy cooking again with just a few small changes. From shifting your perspective and practicing mindfulness to experimenting with new flavors, techniques, and recipes, the tips below can help you reignite your passion for cooking at home (or help you discover a new passion you never had before).
If you are ready to reignite the spark or if you find yourself wondering how to enjoy cooking more, I am here to help.
Read on to explore my top 6 tips on how to enjoy cooking at home. You will even find some of my favorite recipe ideas for when I am low on inspiration or need a simple and delicious recipe to reinvigorate my spark for cooking.
Experiment with New Recipes and Foods
Instead of cooking the same old, boring recipes day after day, week after week, experiment with trying new recipes and new foods to help you experience more joyful cooking.
You can take a culinary adventure by letting your cooking be inspired by places you love to visit. Try to recreate some of your favorite cuisine from your last trip – or think about your dream vacation destinations. How can you reinvigorate your kitchen by bringing these new, local flavors into your home?
You can also try cooking new foods or dishes to stretch your culinary skills and experiment with new ingredients and flavors.
If you are feeling creative, try making one of my favorite Italian recipes from my childhood – Stuffed Artichokes.
Be Mindful When Cooking
Mindfulness is defined as paying conscious, nonjudgmental attention to the present moment. In practice, it is being fully present and aware of where you are and what you are doing. When you are cooking, bringing a mindful presence into the kitchen can help you tune into and appreciate the cooking process rather than rushing through, worrying about the future, or dwelling in the past.
To practice mindfulness when cooking, be actively in the moment, do not worry about other things or think about what else you need to do. Pay attention to the sound of chopping vegetables or garlic sizzling in the pan, the feel of the knife in your hand, the smell of each ingredient as it combines with other flavors. These sensory experiences allow you to experience the joy of cooking.
Want to explore more about mindfulness? Learn how I incorporate mindfulness into my morning routine.
Cook with Friends or Family
Another way to find more joy in cooking is to cook with loved ones. Invite friends or family members over to cook together, you can make a fancy meal or simply meal prep some of your weekly essentials. Or encourage kids to get involved in the daily cooking and meal prep.
Sure getting the kids involved may make cooking a little slower, but on evenings or weekdays when you might have a little extra time to spare, brining the family into your cooking routine can bring a lot of joy and new experiences. You may even find that it sparks a new passion for cooking or healthy eating in children, encouraging them to try new foods and learn more about cooking.
Cooking with a friend or family member is a great way to restore your joy of cooking, while trying new things or sharing recipes you love with loved ones.
One of my favorite recipes to cook with Steve is a big batch of these Spinach Artichoke Wonton Cups (we make enough to store lots in the freezer for snacking later).
Upgrade Your Kitchen & Cookware
Purchase beautiful serving dishes that will let your culinary creations shine and inspire you to experiment with new recipes. Or treat yourself to good quality cookware like sharp knives and quality pots/pans. Sturdy cast iron and enameled pots and pans are my favorite, as they are beautiful, durable, and versatile enough to go from stovetop to oven. You should also ensure your kitchen and pantry are properly organized so that commonly used cookware and ingredients are easily within reach.
It is difficult to enjoy cooking when it is impossible to find your ingredients or your old cookware makes even simple tasks like grating cheese seem like a tedious chore. Upgrading your cookware and keeping your kitchen organized makes cooking easier, so you can actually find the joy in cooking, instead of struggling through the task.
Listen to Your Favorite Music, Podcast, Audio Book, or Show
For those days when it takes a little extra motivation to get to work in the kitchen, tuning in to your favorite music, podcast, audio book, or show can be just what you need. When it comes to cooking, mindset makes a big difference, so pairing it with something you enjoy can make cooking feel less like a chore and bring an element of fun.
As you listen, perhaps you can shift your perspective by considering what a blessing it is to be able to have healthy, fresh food to be able to nourish your body and those you love. Honor all of the vibrant, fresh foods that provide the vital nutrients your mind and body need to thrive.
Plan Ahead
The hardest part of cooking is often deciding what to make. You have to cook dinner nearly every single day, and coming up with inspiration every day can be a challenge. For many people, this constant struggle and decision making is what slowly pulls the joy out of cooking.
But a little prep work and planning ahead can be a great tip to help you enjoy cooking again. Once a week, take a few minutes to plan your menu for each day – writing out or scheduling what recipes you plan to cook each day. You can use an app on your phone, a pen and paper, or a dry erase board on your fridge. Make sure to add everything you will need to your weekly grocery list, so that when it comes time to cook, everything is ready, and there aren’t any decisions to make.
Relieving the tension of making decisions and struggling to find ingredients removes the stress of cooking, and allows you to enjoy the experience more.
My Favorite Recipes for Inspired & Joyful Cooking
If you are lacking inspiration or just find yourself too busy to come up with recipe ideas yourself, having some go-to recipes to fall back on can help you find the joy in cooking. My favorite go-to recipes are ones that aren’t too complicated, are inspired by familiar flavors and ingredients, and are easy for the whole family to love.
Here are 7 of my favorite easy dinner recipes – one for every day of the week!
Grilled Chicken Gyro Bowls with Lemon Herb Orzo
One of the things that I always fall back on when I am looking for easy dinner ideas are loaded bowls. Anything you can eat out of a bowl, ultimately feels more comforting. These Chicken Gyro Bowls use a few simple ingredients and are simple to put together. You can even customize the recipe using ground chicken or beef or make it super simple with a shredded rotisserie chicken.
Get the recipe for Grilled Chicken Gyro Bowls with Lemon Herb Orzo.
Maple Mustard Salmon, Brussels Sprouts, & Sweet Potato Sheet Pan Dinner
A sheet pan dinner is a great way to help you rekindle your love for cooking, because it means minimal cleanup (which is everyone’s least favorite part of cooking). This Salmon, Brussels Sprouts, and Sweet Potato sheet pan dinner is tossed in a simple maple mustard sauce, that is an easy way to add lots of bold flavor.
Get the recipe for this Maple Mustard Salmon, Brussels Sprouts, & Sweet Potato Sheet Pan Dinner.
Crispy Chicken Tacos with Chipotle, Corn, and Black Beans
I am never not in the mood for a taco, and these Crispy Chicken Tacos are one of my favorites. They are simple to cook – combining cooked ground chicken with a mixture of veggies, beans, and cheese. Finish it off by toasting the tacos in the oven until they are crispy and the cheese is melted, and you are ready to eat.
Get the recipe for Crispy Chicken Tacos with Chipotle, Corn, and Black Beans.
Southwest Salad with Tomatillo Ranch Dressing
When you really don’t feel like cooking, a quick salad can be just what you need. This salad is loaded up with crisp veggies and fiber packed beans, all topped off with a creamy Tomatillo Ranch Dressing that will blow you away. For extra protein, add in some cooked shrimp, shredded chicken, or sliced steak to make this Southwest Salad with Tomatillo Ranch Dressing a complete meal the entire family will love.
Get the recipe for Southwest Salad with Tomatillo Ranch Dressing.
Potato Crusted Herb and Goat Cheese Frittata
A frittata is a simple option whenever you need a quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner with minimal prep work. This Potato Crusted Herb and Goat Cheese Frittata incorporates lots of bold flavors including fresh herbs and tangy goat cheese.
Get the recipe for Potato Crusted Herb and Goat Cheese Frittata.
Crockpot White Chicken Chili
A crockpot meal is a great way to make cooking easier – since most of the work is done in advance. This White Chicken Chili is cozy, comforting, and perfect for busy days when you want something hearty and delicious. Toppings are the star of this dish, so serve it with your favorite toppings including a squeeze of lime, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeno, shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, or even a little avocado.
Get the recipe for Crockpot White Chicken Chili.
Italian Antipasto Salad with Simple Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
For a salad that eats like a meal, this Antipasto Salad combines all of my favorites from an Italian antipasto platter. It also brings the protein and fiber with artichoke hearts, flavorful marinated chickpeas (make your own or use store-bought), cubed mozzarella, and chopped salami. Toss everything together with a quick and flavorful homemade Italian Vinaigrette Dressing, and dinner is served.
Get the recipe for Italian Antipasto Salad with Simple Italian Vinaigrette Dressing.
Connect with Me
How do you find joy in cooking when your motivation is low? What are some of your favorite go-to recipes? Share your ideas by commenting below. I would love to hear from you to find out about your recommendations or anything I might have missed.
If you make any of my recipes, don’t forget to comment and rate the recipes to let me know what you think! You can also share your photos and tag me @NamasteHomeCooking on Facebook or @NamasteHomeCooking on Instagram. I love to hear from you!