How to get your kitchen mojo back

You know how you used to love cooking? Your kitchen used to be the heart of your home and you had a great repertoire of your best recipes that would delight your family and your guests. But, somehow, the joy of cooking has diminished because all of that other stuff keeps getting in the way - like work, the house, a new interest - or you’re simply too busy and don't have the time for it. Well get your benchtop and cooktop ready because we’re bringing you some great ways to get your kitchen mojo back!

Baby steps

If one of the reasons why you lost your passion for cooking is you just got a bit tired of it all (which happens to everyone every now and then), don’t rush yourself to get back to it immediately. Taking baby steps and warming into it is the best way to go if you want to bring those culinary masterpieces to the table once again. Start with simple recipes that are full of flavour but don’t consume too much time or energy. How about some delicious brekkie dishes to begin with? A simple omelette or some French toast will do the trick. Save the time consuming tricky recipes for a big night.

Inspire yourself with cooking shows

Need some inspiration? Arm yourself with some nibbles and your favourite tipple and tune in to some good cooking shows to awaken your inner Kylie Kwong or Curtis Stone. Whether it’s My Kitchen Rules, MasterChef, Food Safari, or whatever show catches your attention, you’ll be inspired to get back in the kitchen and start cooking.

Reading a cookbook

If watching cooking shows on TV isn’t for you, then reading cookbooks may just be the ticket to help you bring back your passion for cooking. Some cookbooks even include the stories behind the recipes, where the author was inspired by their own childhood memories of helping their mum cook when they were little. Pick up the kind of books that include the sort of food you love to eat and serve, and if you don’t have time to hit the bookstore, there are plenty of places online to buy some great cookbooks at a good price. And don’t forget there are heaps of interesting food blogs and recipes online too!

Get a cooking mate

Unless you’re a bit obsessive about having the kitchen all to yourself, why not try cooking with a friend. It can be fun to have someone around in the kitchen who shares the same love for cooking as you do. Someone to work alongside so you can have a good chat while you both whip up that amazing feast. And don’t forget, you’ll have a food-taster too - available for you right there who can let you know if you need a dash more lime or another sprinkle of salt.

Bring your favourite recipe back to life

If you used to be the master chef in your home, you no doubt have at least one signature dish that you enjoyed cooking over and over again. This is a great time to bring it back to life. Maybe it’s that classic meat pie recipe that you got from your mum or that unforgettable chicken recipe that everyone loves. It could be anything you know you’ve always enjoyed cooking – just get it sizzling in the pan again and your cooking mojo will be back in no time!

Plan ahead

If you know that a big night is coming up (when everyone expects you to be whipping up some tasty dishes), planning ahead will help you avoid getting stressed on the day. If you’re cooking more than one dish, preparing the ingredients a few days in advance will reduce both your workload and your anxiety levels. If possible, pre-cook some of the dishes a day before the big night. What really takes time is all the cutting and chopping of the ingredients so if this is something you can do ahead of time, it will help you to enjoy cooking (instead of dreading it).

Want to get started?

If you really want to get your kitchen mojo back, maybe it’s time for you to try some of these tips as soon as possible. You shouldn’t keep one of your most creative skills in the cupboard, but the joy of cooking can mean some extra expenses. You might feel that a new cooktop or fancy appliance will inspire you to jumpstart your kitchen prowess again, so if you’re a little short on cash, we can lend a hand to make it happen. Just check out our small loans to $5,000 to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, we can usually deposit the funds into your bank account within a few hours - so apply now and get ready to start cooking again!