By: Katie Kirkpatrick, MS, RD, CSSD*
Feeling inspired by your favorite food pics
on social media or quick-thinking chefs and their delicious-looking meals on TV?
Cooking at home is enjoyable and easier than you think. The holidays provide
plenty of chances to use and sharpen your culinary skills too.
Top 5 reasons to cook more at home:
- Home cooking is associated with higher-quality diets, better weight management, and improved health.
- It’s cheaper than takeout and dining out.
- You can control ingredients and portion sizes.
- It’s a great way to connect with friends and family.
- It’s fun and rewarding!
Lack of skills and knowledge about cooking
and food prep are often barriers to cooking at home. It might seem daunting to
learn to cook, but healthful, yummy meals can be made with simple ingredients
and basic skills. Start by watching HPRC’s “How to Choose Knives” video below. Learn
about the 3 knives you need to chop, slice, and dice your way to a tasty,
home-cooked meal.
It’s important to know how to safely handle
a knife too. Did you know sharp knives are actually safer than dull ones? Don’t
ruin your holidays with a knife-related injury or mishap! Learn how to use your
knives safely and successfully with HPRC’s “Handling a Knife Safely” video
below.
Once you’ve got the right knife and know
how to use it safely, you’re ready to learn the ins and outs of slicing and
dicing peppers, onions, and tomatoes. HPRC’s “Knife Skills 101” video walks you
through how to properly cut these items. Watch and learn!
Are you confident and ready to put your
skills to work for your next holiday dinner or party? Visit HPRC’s All About Food
section for recipes and more tips on cooking at home. Get cookin’!
Katie
Kirkpatrick, of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, is a Nutrition Specialist for
the Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP) at the Uniformed
Services University of the Health Sciences.
* The
views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official
position of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or the
United States Department of Defense.
