By Sophia Dearie
There has always been something comforting to me, about the act of cooking. I think it comes back to the fact that when I’m cooking, I am using my hands to my hands to create something tangible. All day at work, of course, I’m doing things, making things, and creating things - but it is not very often that I can hold these things in my hands, let alone eat them.
I know that cooking is a chore to some people. That some people eat to live, rather than live to eat. I feel lucky that I find cooking enjoyable. That I can finish a work day, feeling exhausted and fed up, and as soon as I’m in the kitchen, I feel excited again and like myself again.
When I’m cooking, be it from a cookbook, a video or an idea I had on the tube, I feel in control. Even though my pineapple upside-down cupcakes may not have turned out how I imagined, it was my doing that made them that way. I can cut things the way I want, and season things the way I want. When you think about it, the actual act of cooking is quite selfish.
The art of cooking is getting to share this with people that you love.
In the modern working lifestyle, where often weeknights are a scramble to get something cooked, whilst simultaneously working out, doing a load of laundry, catching up on TV shows, maintaining relationships and staying sane - I encourage you to enjoy the act of cooking. Be present whilst you add some torn basil to your pasta pomodoro, feel alive when you squeeze a lemon cheek on your salmon filet. Feel the flaky salt between your fingers.
The art of cooking is yes of course the flavours, but it is the act of you wanting to feed yourself something nourishing, comforting, and delicious. We have to live with ourselves forever, so get to know what you like. Comfort yourself. Feed yourself.
Trust me - it tastes delicious.