It Smells So Good In Here

Cooking never seemed like a hard task for me. I grew up in a household where both my parents were (thankfully) good cooks and I got the hang of marrying flavors and basic cooking skills pretty early on. I have also never been too picky of an eater and I was raised to hate any and all food waste, so I was always down to finish off leftovers from multiple cuisines or flavor families all on one plate. I think the main idea I’m trying to get at here is that cooking isn’t necessarily hard. Making good food isn’t a difficult thing. There are hard recipes, sure, but there are so many simple ones as well. “Good food” does not have to mean “expensive” or “requiring hours of preparation.” Good food is thought-out but can be made of few ingredients. 

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The first time I fully was on my own to fend for and cook for myself for any and all meals was my sophomore year of college. I had obviously cooked meals both for myself and my family back home before, but this was different. I would be the one doing the grocery shopping. I would be the one planning the meals. I would be the one actually chopping the vegetables, watching the pans on the burners, and trying not to over-salt my meals. This did not feel like a daunting responsibility. It felt more like a fun opportunity for me to explore the world of food and cooking. I always knew there were people out there who were born with the ability to burn water and inability to properly cook any simple meal. However, sophomore year of college fully solidified that idea in my head. It really is true that not everyone can cook or has had the opportunity to cook. I can’t blame them. It’s not for everyone. Some people really enjoy cooking and experimenting. Some people really like the science behind making food, like the yeast in bread. On the other hand, some people abhor the idea of cooking. It’s too much work. It’s not worth the time. Some people would rather eat at restaurants. Some people can’t stand the idea that they are going to have to prepare and cook dinner every single day for the rest of their lives. For me, it is probably a mixture of these things, but mostly, I just get hungry.

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I cooked the most in that apartment, making full meals with the healthiest ingredients. I had just put chopped onions and garlic in a pan with some olive oil and was letting the onions soften when one of my roommates got home and said, “Oh my god, it smells so good in here. What are you making?” Those words held such admiration for my stupid onions and garlic, and they made me feel like I was Gordon Ramsay himself.

It really was not all that great. It was just the onions and garlic. That amazing, novel smell was something I was used to, it being the starting point for most stir fry or sautéed vegetables or meat. This was a funny moment for me, because to my roommate, I was really that chef. I felt like I could put Gordon Ramsay to shame. When all I did was heat up some onions and garlic. Next thing you know, I’m sprinkling salt and pepper on the food and the entire world is quaking.