While Tampa is known for having plenty of unique and delicious restaurants for eating out, some residents moving to Tampa apartments may want to start cooking their own food at home. Cooking can be a great way to save money, improve your diet, experiment with recipes, host memorable dinner parties and much more. For beginners, cooking may seem intimidating or complicated, especially if past attempts were not very successful! However, a little patience, planning and choosing the right recipes can put you on the right path to becoming a proficient cook.
What kind of kitchen supplies and equipment do I need to start cooking at home?
When learning how to cook, it is not required or necessary to go out and buy very expensive equipment and accessories. You can find countless apartment-friendly recipes that only require some of the most basic items, such as a pan, pot and baking dish. All of these items come in a few standard sizes, and you can buy them in bulk to save money. Below are a few items to have stored in your Tampa apartment for when you get started:
- Pots: You likely only need one standard pot to learn how to cook. Additional pots come in handy if you need to cook different foods at the same time, so consider this before you choose the recipe.
- Frying pans: It is a good idea to have at least two non-stick pans on hand. Choosing pans that are oven safe may be slightly more expensive, but it will save you time and money in the long run. If you'd like to cook food for your roommates or multiple people, make sure you get a big enough pan to serve more food.
- Baking dishes: Casserole recipes are a great choice for beginners. Since there are so many different options and combinations, having a good set of baking dishes is useful when learning how to cook.
- Tools: Every cook should have at least one good cooking knife. Chopping veggies and meat can be much easier with a sharp, efficient knife. Other helpful tools include a spatula, cutting board, measuring cup and spoons, colander, whisk and can opener.
Tampa apartments with dishwashers are helpful when learning how to cook and make it easier to clean up any messes. Some luxury apartments include unique kitchen amenities and layouts, such as kitchen islands. If you're extra worried about your cooking skills, some Tampa apartments also have emergency maintenance.
Where do I get started when learning how to cook?
If you need hands-on teaching when learning how to cook, you may consider asking a friend first before taking any classes. Basic cooking skills are fairly easy to teach others and you may be surprised to find how quickly you learn. Otherwise, there are a few different places in the Tampa area to take cooking classes, including Publix.
Another option for learning how to cook is reading tutorials online and watching videos. Making a few errors or messing up a dish is not the end of the world – it's all part of the learning process! Startf with basic recipes, like chicken and vegetables, casseroles, one-pot meals and recipes with only a few ingredients. For more recipes for beginners, check out Food.com's beginner cook page.