The Great Cooking Experiment: How I Went from Microwave Master to Amateur Chef (Sort Of)

Confession time: I used to be a master of the microwave. If it could be heated up in less than three minutes, I was all over it. My culinary expertise consisted of knowing the exact time it takes to nuke a frozen burrito to perfection. But one day, I decided it was time to take my relationship with food to the next level. It was time to—gulp—actually cook.

Now, I’m not going to lie to you and say I instantly transformed into a culinary genius. There were… let’s call them “learning moments.” Like the time I accidentally set the smoke alarm off while trying to sear a steak. (Pro tip: more oil is not always better.) But somewhere between the burnt pancakes and the overcooked pasta, I discovered that cooking could actually be fun—and even kind of satisfying. Here’s how my great cooking experiment went down.

Step 1: Start with the Basics (Seriously, the Basics)

Before I dove into the deep end of gourmet recipes, I figured I should master the basics. You know, the stuff everyone else seemed to know but I somehow missed. So I started with eggs. Scrambled, fried, boiled—I was determined to get them right. After a few tries (and a few very rubbery eggs), I finally nailed it. And let me tell you, the pride I felt when I made the perfect over-easy egg was real.

Step 2: Get Creative (Or at Least Try)

Once I got the hang of the basics, I started experimenting. And by experimenting, I mean I threw random ingredients together and hoped for the best. Some combos were hits—like adding avocado to pretty much everything—while others… not so much (let’s just say cinnamon doesn’t belong in spaghetti sauce). But that’s the fun of it! Cooking became less about following a recipe to the letter and more about seeing what I could come up with. Spoiler: sometimes it was awesome, and sometimes it was a very creative disaster.

Step 3: Embrace the Imperfections

Not every dish is going to be a masterpiece, and that’s okay. I’ve learned to laugh off the fails and celebrate the wins, no matter how small. Like the time I made a cake that was more lopsided than a Dr. Seuss house—but it still tasted delicious, so who cares? The key is to enjoy the process and not take yourself too seriously. If you burn the garlic bread (again), just grab some butter and garlic powder and call it a day.

Step 4: Find Your Signature Dish

After a lot of trial and error, I realized I needed a go-to dish—something I could whip up with confidence and impress people with. For me, it turned out to be a simple pasta dish with garlic, olive oil, and a ton of Parmesan cheese. It’s not fancy, but it’s delicious, and I can make it in my sleep. Having a signature dish has saved me from many a last-minute dinner panic, and it’s also become my “thing” among friends and family. (I’m the pasta person now, and I’m totally okay with that.)

Step 5: Share the Love (and the Food)

The best part of learning to cook? Sharing what I’ve made with others. Whether it’s hosting a casual dinner with friends or just bringing some homemade cookies to work, there’s something incredibly satisfying about feeding people. It’s like, “Hey, I made this with my own two hands, and now we all get to enjoy it together.” Plus, sharing food is a great way to distract from any imperfections—because who’s going to complain about a slightly burnt crust when there’s chocolate cake involved?

Final Thoughts

So, if you’re like me and the kitchen used to be just another room in the house, I encourage you to give cooking a shot. Start small, embrace the mess-ups, and have fun with it. You might surprise yourself with what you can whip up. And if all else fails, there’s always takeout—no shame in that game.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a new recipe I’m dying to try. Wish me luck!