If Cooking Feels Like a Chore, Try This
A few of my favorite kitchen rituals and everyday touches that make cooking at home feel less like a chore.
There are nights when I genuinely love cooking dinner. I put on a good playlist, light a candle, slice up the zucchini and tomatoes I picked up at the farmers’ market, and suddenly making dinner feels like one of the best parts of my day.
And then there are the other nights. (You know which ones.)
It’s 6:00pm, you’re pulling into the driveway after a long day, you still have a handful of things on your to-do list, and you can practically see the fluorescent orange glow of the Whataburger sign down the road. Suddenly, making that quick turn through the drive-thru sounds a whole lot easier than going inside and chopping an onion for that recipe reel you saved on Facebook three weeks ago and swore you were going to try.
I’ve learned that on those nights, what gets me into the kitchen isn’t always a new recipe or a perfectly stocked refrigerator. Sometimes, I just need to make being there feel a little more enjoyable.
I turn on a playlist before the cutting board even comes out. Light a candle while the olive oil starts sizzling in the pan. Snip a little basil from the plant by the window. Crack open a Topo Chico and pour it over ice into one of my favorite glasses. Maybe those farmers’ market tomatoes make their way into a pretty bowl on the counter instead of disappearing into the refrigerator.
None of these things actually change what’s for dinner. It might still be leftovers, a quick pasta, or whatever I can pull together in 20 minutes. But somehow, they change the whole experience.
So, in the spirit of our Mediterranean Kitchen Upgrade this month, I thought it would be fun to share some of the little things I use to make cooking, eating, and gathering at home something I genuinely look forward to.
A Few Things That Make Me Want to Stay in the Kitchen
I’m not suggesting you need to redecorate your kitchen before you can enjoy cooking dinner. These are just a few of the little things I’ve found myself reaching for again and again. Some make the kitchen feel a little cozier, some make cooking easier, and some are simply there because they make me happy.
Something Playing
One of the easiest ways to change the mood in my kitchen is to put on some music before I start cooking. Lately, I’ve been loving Spotify playlists like:
A little dramatic for a Tuesday-night dinner? Maybe. But it works!
Something That Smells Good
Yes, apparently tomato candles are a thing, and I’m completely on board. This Heirloom Tomato Candle from Flamingo Estate smells like tomato vines and fresh herbs and feels especially fitting during these last weeks of summer.
Something Growing
I always have a pot or two of green ferns by my kitchen window, usually tucked into a vintage olive jar. If you want something you can cook with too, a little hydroponic herb garden is an easy way to keep fresh basil, mint, or parsley within reach.
Something Worth Drinking From
We discovered GurglePot pitchers in Maine years ago, and my kids immediately fell in love with the funny “gurgle” they make when you pour. Ours has been a staple on our table ever since. Fill it with water, iced tea, lemonade, or even sangria when friends are over.
Something Pretty Enough to Leave Out
I love keeping a small rustic wooden bowl out for garlic and shallots, and my little Staub Tomato Cocotte almost always has a spot on the island. Add a bowl of peaches, tomatoes, or lemons and suddenly the things you actually use become part of the kitchen.
Something You Actually Love Cooking With
You don't need a drawer full of gadgets. Give me the pan I reach for three nights a week, a good cutting board, and a few tools I genuinely enjoy using. If something makes cooking easier and makes you want to use it, it earns its spot in the kitchen.
At the end of the day, it’s the little things that make a kitchen feel like your kitchen, and a place you actually want to spend time in.
Next up, we’re sharing a few of my favorite formulas for making everyday meals (and last-minute hosting!) feel a whole lot easier.
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