Allison: Becoming a Better Cook Through Mistakes
“Laugh at your mistakes, don’t take cooking too seriously, and always read the ENTIRE recipe before starting!”
Allison has been a long-time cook thanks to her mom and Martha. Recently, she’s been meal planning to make sure she can still cook after long days working as an occupational therapist. Read her Heroes in the Kitchen story below:
Name: Allison
Age: 29
City, State: Irvine, CA
Outside of the kitchen I: can be found helping people with disabilities become more independent and lead fuller lives as an occupational therapist.
I cook for: my health and my wallet.
Being able to cook allows me to: relax after work and show love for my family members.
Favorite Cook Smarts meal: Pineapple Cashew Curry Fried Rice
How did you learn to cook?
I learned the basics from my mom and everything else from Martha Stewart. There were a lot of fails involved – but those are what helped me learn!
What’s been your biggest kitchen challenge?
Wasting ingredients. I either forget what I have in the pantry / fridge or buying an expensive ingredient for one dish and never use it again.
How has your cooking routine changed recently?
I now work 4, 10 hour days and need something preplanned, quick, and delicious to make when I get home late (even though at the time I just want to shove a whole bag of chips in my face!).
What new skill or dish have you cooked that you’re most proud of?
Fish! My mom never cooked it growing up – so I am pretty intimidated by it – how long to cook it, what to do with the skin, etc. But Cook Smarts has inspired and challenged me to try cooking fish at home! And it turns out, It’s not so hard.
What advice would you give to other home cooks on reaching their cooking goals?
Laugh at your mistakes, don’t take cooking too seriously, and always read the ENTIRE recipe before starting! Whenever I forget to read the recipe directions before hand, there is always a step requiring long refrigerating or marinating time.
Allison, thanks for your great advice to all home cooks out there. We hope you continue to have fun making mistakes and learning in the kitchen.
To join Allison and cook meals like her favorite pineapple cashew curry fried rice, check out our meal plan service. You can get started for free!
