Why You Should Try “difficult” Recipes Right Now
Like rollerblading, cooking is not something everyone has. Like rollerblading, cooking is something to be learned and most of the learning is practice. They say luck loves the brave, and if you tackle daunting challenges, you’ll be better at cooking. (This is where I find cooking and roller skating diverge, as I once bruised my tailbone badly by daring roller skating.)
Today, our personal finance writer Alicia expressed some concern about making pizza dough, a task she was going to save on when she was “more experienced.” This is madness. It may seem like a good idea to “save” complex recipes for when you become a more experienced home cook, but a person becomes a more experienced home cook by challenging themselves. I have found that people are more likely to be put off by tricks or recipes that sound intimidating, especially if the tricks or recipes are French. (Roux may seem like something only culinary school can master, but it’s a very easy way to make some flour and butter .)
The sense of accomplishment you get when you implement a fancy recipe is reassuring. Not only will you eat your food, but you’ll also gain confidence by creating a delicious snowball of achievement that fuels your urge to take on even more complex recipes. Is there a chance that you will lose? Sure, but failure is good, and the lesson you learn will help you become an even better home cook. (Plus, a spoiled dinner is a great excuse to order pizza, which is a reward in its own way.)