By One of the most challenging parts of living alone is that there is hardly any time and energy to cook for yourself, which is why most people eat out. It costs more than people think, and the expenses tend to pile up, especially if you order out at least twice a week.
The Cost of Eating Out
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, a standard household in America spends thousands of dollars on restaurants. You may think that you would never allow yourself to spend that much, but the cost accumulates without you even realizing it.
Dining out becomes costly because restaurants charge up to a 300% markup on the food. In simpler terms, you’re paying about $25 for something you can make at home for $5.
While the meals you cook might not taste like your favorite takeout, you can save much more money by cooking at home. Most folks think that it would still cost a fortune because you need to buy groceries and pay for gas, but $50 worth of goods yields more meals than the same cost for takeout.
While dining in might raise your utility bills a little you are still saving a significant amount of money by making a home cooked meal but if you want to save even more money you can compare Georgia gas prices to compare affordable natural gas providers in your area.
Benefits of Dining In
Eating away from your family home means that you will have less money for gadgets and other little luxuries. Dining in is an effective way to stretch your wallet a little further, but that isn’t the only benefit.
It boosts your creativity.
If you are new to cooking, fixing meals yourself will unlock your creativity. There are so many ways you can use one ingredient, and it will be fun to discover what taste you like best.
Cooking is healthier.
You may never replicate the taste of the Colonel’s fried chicken, and that’s okay. Not all meals that you buy from a restaurant are healthy. Sourcing and choosing your ingredients affords you the unique experience of tweaking your recipe to suit your tastes.
You are responsible for your diet—get up close and personal with sugar, gluten, and fat for a healthier you.
It’s a form of bonding for couples.
Living with your significant other makes you more aware of their habits and routines, which can take away from the mystery of the relationship. One way to spice up the relationship is by learning how to cook together calmly.
Cooking takes teamwork, and learning how to do it with your partner will give you a preview of their patience and how well you work together.
Cooking Tips for the New Chef
Are you ready to reap the benefits of preparing meals yourself?
Here are some tips to help you as you start your cooking journey:
Turn the stove off while cooking your eggs.
Eggs are the most accessible ingredients because they cook quickly, and it doesn’t take a lot to make the dishes taste amazing. One way to make sure the eggs turn out well is not to overcook them.
Turn your stove off before the eggs look completely done, and the leftover heat will cook the eggs perfectly.
Let your red meat settle before you cut it.
Everyone loves a good steak. If you want to try your hand at roasting or barbecuing steak, you should master the cardinal rule of letting your meat “sit” before you cut it.
Leaving that glorious beef cut to rest for at least five minutes will envelop it with umami goodness, allowing the juices to lock in the flavor.
Keep some staples in stock.
One of the reasons people order takeout is because they don’t have kitchen staples stocked in the fridge or pantry. You should always keep some frozen meat and vegetables in stock because these are easy to cook and don’t spoil quickly.
Don’t throw away your pasta water.
The secret is in the sauce—and it’s “pasta water.” If you want to achieve superb sauce, you can add some of the water you used to boil your pasta. The saltiness will flavor your sauce, and the starch in the water will give it the perfect consistency.
Aside from the health and economic benefits, cooking at home is a passion you can cultivate. In many ways, it’s alchemy, meditation practice, and therapy all at once.
