Success in the Kitchen = Less Stress

Funny that this post follows my last post, the rant about all my failed attempts at making homemade bread. Well, since then, I've had many successes.

I conquered those crescent rolls! I had been killing my yeast all along with water that was too hot. I have also taught my teammates how to make them. From failure to teacher in a week. Haha.

I also made homemade breakfast sausage. Who knew you just had to add some spices to some fatty pork? (I know, that sounds gross. But isn't sausage gooood?!)

Then I decided to tackle lasagna. The entire process took 2 days. Michael had to order the noodles, tomato sauce(I'm too lazy to make that one yet), and mozzarella from an import store. I made ricotta cheese and Italian sausage. It was labor-intensive, and I'm now exhausted, but it was sooo good! And we have lots of leftovers! Hooray!

I don't post these successes to brag. Well, those could be some hidden intentions because I am a sinner after all. But, rather to share how success in the kitchen really boosts my confidence, mood, and attitude. Last year was one disaster after another in the kitchen. After tasting dishes that were burnt, flavorless, or just plain nasty time after time, cooking really took a toll on me. I would then spiral into a "I hate where I am" rant. My poor family had to endure it every time. Michael did his best to encourage me, but I didn't want to be encouraged during those times. I wanted to pout.

Fast forward to this year. I have some basic recipes under my belt. I have better access to import goods. (We order then online and they are shipped to our campus within a day or two. Compare that to last year when we had to wait until we went downtown to the import store. I only went about twice a semester.) I don't have to tackle more than 1 new recipe a week. This cuts down on multiple failures in a row. I found a blog of a woman who has lived here for several years, knows how to cook, and gives tons of tips on how to adapt recipes. I finally learned how to make that stinkin' bread. :)

Through all of these lessons, I have come to realize I didn't really know how to cook in America at all. I could bake some things, yes. But not cook. I relied heavily on canned and pre-made items to form a meal. Here, those items barely exist. (Don't worry, they're trying to emulate the West, so they'll have stores full of cans, boxes, and cancer soon enough.) I'm kind of glad living here has forced me to learn how to cook nearly everything from scratch. I feel like I'm really having to learn about food. I would like to think it's keeping our family healthy, but who knows...we still eat at KFC, McDonald's...and c'mon..we eat a ton of MSG. :)

I think the area of cooking is just one way the Father has decided to bless me this year. He knew I wouldn't be able to handle the stress of that and a newborn. And a toddler. And husband. And..ok..you know how the list goes. I'm thankful he has taken some of the stress off of me in the cooking area. Now, if only I can learn how to handle the failed attempts...