10 Fundamental Lessons That Will Make You a More Confident Cook

There’s no bigger disappointment than going to the store with a specific dish in mind only to discover the ingredient you need isn’t there, or even worse, looks crappy. You stand in the aisle, frantically trying to come up with plan B, searching for recipes on your phone while people bump into you with their carts. Don’t do that. Shop in person for the things that only you can judge: the sparkliest fish fillets, squeakiest bunches of greens, heaviest melons, most marbled steaks. Talk to the store employees as you go (e.g., when did those scallops come in?). Choose what inspires you and decide what’s for dinner based on what ends up in your cart, even if you plan to cook it in the simplest way. In person, I shop small with a focus on proteins and produce, and use online shopping to keep my kitchen stocked with basics so I can build the rest of the meal when I get home.

Get the recipe: Butter-Basted Rib Eye with Crunchy Fennel Salad