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Cooking is an essential skill we all need. Some of us like to cook and some of us hate it, but we all need to do it. Cooking at home is much cheaper than going out to eat for every meal, especially if you have a family.

Learning to cook is a skill that never stops growing. There is always something new we can learn in the kitchen. Here are 5 ways you can improve your cooking skills.

1. Study and find inspiration.

Cookbooks, blogs, cooking magazines, cooking shows are great sources for recipes and techniques. Surround yourself with these sources and learn from them. Take notes – write down ingredients that sound good, techniques you want to learn. I always have a notepad or my phone near me and if I see something on the web or a cooking show that sounds good to me then I’ll write it down and have it for later.

2. Practice, Practice, Practice.

Make a point to try something new at least once a week if not every day. Cooking is something that has to be learned just like driving. Rarely does a person know off instinct how to sauté salmon or how to perfectly roast a whole chicken.

3. Don’t go on autopilot.

Don’t cook the same dishes all the time or allow yourself to zone out while cooking. Focus on finding new dishes to try and really think about what you are cooking and how you are cooking it. Think of new ways to make the same dish. Can a dish that is normally baked in the oven be thrown in the crockpot? How about ground turkey instead of ground beef in a pasta dish? Focusing on what you are doing will help you to think outside the box and grow your skills as a cook.

4. Vary your products.

When going to the grocery store try buying different produce, meats and spices. This will help your palate grow and experience new varieties.

5. Take notes on a dish you’ve made.

Write down what you liked and didn’t like. What did your family say about the new dish you made? Did they hate it? Why? This will tell you if you should make that same dish again or something in that same category or try something completely different.

Working on your cooking skills can only enhance your time in the kitchen and help you prepare more delicious meals your family will enjoy.