Why I Love Cooking: A Journey from Roti Belna to Biryani
Cooking has been an integral part of my life, but it wasn't something I truly appreciated until I had to do it myself. Like many, my first experience with cooking was as an assistant chef in my mom's kitchen. My responsibilities were simple—rolling rotis, light frying, and fetching ingredients—but they gave me an early exposure to the art of cooking. Little did I know that these small tasks would one day turn into a full-fledged passion.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention
It was only when I moved to Bangalore and started living on my own that I realized the true value of knowing how to cook. Eating out every day wasn't sustainable, and instant noodles can only take you so far. So, I ventured into the world of cooking—not as a hobby, but as a necessity. And as they say, necessity is the mother of invention.
I started small, replicating the simple home-cooked meals I had grown up with. But cooking wasn't always smooth sailing. Some days, the food was overcooked, other days undercooked. Sometimes, I went too easy on the salt, and sometimes, I overcompensated. But each mistake taught me something new.
Cooking is Like Coding
One of the biggest reasons I fell in love with cooking is that it reminds me of coding. There's a set of instructions to follow, a sequence of steps that, when executed correctly, produce something wonderful. And just like coding, even a small error—whether it's missing a semicolon in code or adding an extra spoon of salt—can change the final outcome.
The best part? The sense of achievement when everything comes together. Just like debugging a tricky piece of code and finally seeing it run perfectly, watching raw ingredients transform into a delicious dish is incredibly satisfying.
Learning, Experimenting, and Mastering
As I cooked more, I realized that learning to cook is a lot like learning any new skill. The more you practice, the better you get. I started watching cooking videos, asking friends and family for tips, and experimenting with different recipes. Over time, my confidence grew, and I moved from basic meals to more complex dishes.
Some of my favorite dishes to cook now are:
- Butter Chicken – because nothing beats a rich, creamy, and flavorful curry.
- Matar Paneer – a classic comfort dish with soft paneer and spicy gravy.
- Chili Chicken – for when I crave something spicy and Indo-Chinese.
- Honey Chilli Potato – crispy, sweet, and spicy, the perfect snack.
- Biryani – a dish that demands patience but rewards you with layers of flavor.
- Egg Halwa & Pudding – because no meal is complete without dessert.
Cooking as a Creative Outlet
Beyond just being a daily necessity, cooking has become a creative outlet for me. The ability to tweak recipes, mix unexpected flavors, and come up with something unique is thrilling. It's a skill that keeps evolving, and every dish is an opportunity to learn something new.
Looking back, I never thought I'd enjoy cooking as much as I do today. What started as a need to survive has turned into something I genuinely love. Whether it's the process, the experimentation, or the joy of sharing a meal with others, cooking has become more than just a task—it's a passion.
If you haven't tried your hand at cooking yet, I highly recommend it. Who knows? You might just fall in love with it like I did.