Many home cooks suffer from “imposter syndrome” in the kitchen, constantly doubting their abilities while scrolling through Instagram photos of picture-perfect meals. But here’s the truth: you’re probably a much better cook than you give yourself credit for. If you recognize these 12 signs, it’s time to embrace your culinary skills and stop being so hard on yourself. Send someone their favorite meal and host your own dinner party to prove that you’re a star in your own kitchen.
12. You Have Your Own Version of Classic Dishes
Yup, you’ve already developed your own way of transforming classic dishes on your own. We’re talking about meatball spaghetti and chocolate chip cookies. They stood different from standard recipes that the world knows of. For you, there’s a unique twist that can make your version richer. This personalization shows that you’ve moved beyond just following instructions to creating your own style.
11. You Read Recipes Critically
Okay, this isn’t something that proves you’re a know-it-all, as it actually shows that you know your way with food. This is when you read through an internet recipe, and you spot potential issues or improvements. You get to notice how one dish needs more cooking time, or maybe you’re sensing that a dish has way too much salt. This critical reading of recipes shows your kitchen knowledge.
10. You Can Make Something From “Nothing”
Just like on cooking shows, you can create something out of a random pantry ingredient. The best part? You’ll whip up something surprisingly tasty. You can see potential in meals where others see hopelessness. This resourcefulness quality is your mark of confidence and creativity.
9. You Can Improvise Side Dishes
When you’re tasked to prepare dinner, you just simply know what will go well with your main dish. This is when you quickly sauté some vegetables or whip up a simple salad with available ingredients in your fridge. Your knowledge of what complements the meal shows that you know how to play with flavors.
8. You Have Strong Opinions About Food
This is when you know what you want with your food, so you’ll gladly do it for others. You just know that you prefer scrambled eggs cooked low and slow or that your pasta water is properly salted. You have your own preference about technique and taste, which shows that you have reached a sophisticated palate. You’ll have to thank your cooking for that!
7. You Understand the Importance of Good Ingredients
Again, this is when you know your stuff. You know that using fresh herbs is better than dried, or when you opt for olive oil instead of those processed ones. You know that the quality of your ingredients will reflect on the food itself. This ingredient awareness shows that you know what goes well in the food that you make.
6. Your Kitchen Disasters Actually Taste Good
Presentation fails, but the taste never does. Even if your food doesn’t look Instagram-worthy, it still tastes like a gourmet meal. It shows that you prioritize flavor over appearance. If you think about it, that’s exactly what matters the most in home cooking. You don’t need those five-star styled plates as you’ve poured your heart into cooking one meal alone.
5. You Season at Different Stages of Cooking
When you’re a great cook, you don’t just dump salt in at the end. Instead, you know how to build layers of flavor by seasoning the onions as they sauté. You also know how to get the flavor out of herbs when cooking. Of course, you finish cooking with a final seasoning adjustment. Well, this technique alone separates good cooks from the great ones.
4. You Can Save a Dish That’s Going Wrong
When you realize that something’s not turning out as expected, you don’t panic. You carry the motto of keeping it calm and carrying on to solve the problem. You simply add cream to cut the acidity or deglaze the pan to save the browned bits. This recovery skill is something you learned throughout your journey with cooking food.
3. You Know When Something Is Done Without a Timer
When you realize that something’s not turning out as expected, you don’t panic. You carry the motto of keeping it calm and carrying on to solve the problem. You simply add cream to cut the acidity or deglaze the pan to save the browned bits. This recovery skill is something you learned throughout your journey with cooking food.
2. You Can Cook Without Following a Recipe
You’ve reached that point where recipes are more like guidelines than strict rules. You add a little extra garlic here and there and substitute ingredients like a pro. Somehow, you’ll realize that it worked out like a charm. Usually, they’re the recipes that are close to the ones that you usually make.
1. People Ask For Your Recipes
This is like the ultimate flattery of cooking. You’ll soon realize people are asking for a recipe you made for them during dinner. That’s a dead giveaway that you can actually cook. Trust us, people won’t ask for something personal like a recipe when they’re not dying to eat it again.