7 Ways to Make Cooking More Fun!

Do you enjoy cooking? Or do you do it because you know it’s good for your health?

Maybe you avoid it because it’s such a chore?  Especially chopping all those vegetables!

If you're in a rut and want some inspirational tips on making cooking more fun, I've got you covered. I've compiled my seven best tips and a fast and simple, yet delicious, recipe for you to try.

Fun Cooking Tip #1 ~ Check out new recipes

Sometimes just seeing the beautiful food photos and reading the recipe can spark some inspiration and fun in your kitchen.

You can head to your local bookstore. Or look up your favourite nutritionists, chefs, bakers, and other online foodies. Maybe do a quick search on Google or Pinterest to see thousands of new ideas, especially if you have some ingredients in your fridge that are just waiting to be eaten!

Pro Tip: Searching through recipes can be so fun and inspiring, and can also end up taking waaaay longer than planned. So try to plan ahead, so that when it’s time to get cooking, you know exactly what to make!

Fun Cooking Tip #2 ~ Make grocery shopping organized, fun and inspiring

Of course the first step is to either plan or at least have an idea of what you plan to make so that you have your shopping list handy.  A variation on this which is more adventurous is to see what’s available at the store.  You can try a seasonal fruit or vegetable you haven’t had for months. Did you come across something totally delicious at a restaurant or get-together lately? 

Or browse around the store looking for something you haven't had before (but not in the processed food aisles, that might lead you down the wrong path!); something that is completely new to you. Be adventurous and fun. Then you can go to tip #1 to find new and inspiring recipes when you get home.

Fun Cooking Tip #3 ~ Prep some of the ingredients ahead of time

This is one of the big secrets to what we call “Meal Prepping”.  Not only can you make extra servings to have leftovers, but you can prep some of your veggies, and other ingredients ahead of time, so the actual cooking is quick.

For example, I squeeze the juice from 2 - 3 lemons so I have the juice on hand to quickly add some flavour when needed.  And I will use some of the lemon juice to make salad dressing (works as a marinade, too!) so I’m not relying on the store bought kind - which are full of sugar and processed seed oils like canola.

Fun Cooking Tip #4 ~ Make it tasty!

Have herbs and spices on hand to add flavour and variety to whatever you’re cooking.

I love garlic and tend to add garlic powder to lots of recipes – although sometimes I will take the time to use garlic cloves, peeled and sliced or minced.

Another favourite is either Indian or Thai curry, not just using the spices but also a can of full-fat coconut milk - delicious!

Fun Cooking Tip #5 ~ Keep it simple!

Sometimes when I see a great food picture, I immediately get inspired to make it. But if I look at the ingredients or instructions and they're too long, I will plan to save that for when I’m cooking for friends and family - that inspires me to get fancy!

Otherwise I try to keep things simple.

A few ways to do that are to:

• Search for recipes with 10 or fewer ingredients, and five or fewer instructions;
• Search for recipes that can be made in one pot or pan;
• Buy ingredients that are ready to cook with (pre-washed salad greens, diced squashes, frozen vegetables, etc.)

Fun Cooking Tip #6 ~ Put on some music and invite someone to join you

Do you have grand-kids that need to learn the critical life skill of cooking? Perhaps your partner would love to join you? What about having a “cooking party” where everyone brings something and pitches in on the process?

Fun Cooking Tip #7 ~ Invest in some kitchen swag! 

Having proper kitchen tools makes cooking so much easier and faster. When's the last time you sharpened your (or bought yourself a new) knife? Could dicing carrots with a dull knife be draining the fun from cooking? Or is blending a smoothie with a crummy blender, leaving it too chunky to enjoy, making you feel less excited to try new smoothie recipes?

Have I convinced you yet?

You know that cooking is key to healthy eating. And, yes, if you cook the same meals all the time, it is bound to get boring!

So try one (or all) of my fun cooking tips to inspire you to get into your kitchen and cook yourself some great dishes.

You already know your body and your mind will thank you!

Recipe (simple and fun): One Pan Salmon with Rainbow Veggies

• 4 servings
• 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 cups Cherry Tomatoes
• 1-1/4 lbs. Salmon Fillet
• 2 Yellow Bell Pepper (sliced)
• 4 cups Broccoli (chopped into small florets)
• ¾ cup Red Onion (sliced into chunks)
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp Coconut Aminos
• 1 Navel Orange (zested and juiced)
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF (191ºC) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place the cherry tomatoes, salmon, bell pepper, broccoli, red onion and garlic on the sheet pan. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil. Brush the salmon with the coconut aminos, orange juice and zest. Sprinkle everything with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the salmon is fully cooked.
4. Divide between plates and enjoy!

Notes:

• Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for 2 - 3 days.
• Switch up the veggies and protein with whatever you have on hand ~ or try something new!