KASHMIRI-WAZWAN
Ravi Speaks:
It was during the initial ten years of my bachelorhood:
Much as I spent around ten years almost as a bachelor in the initial phase of my service at Ludhiana-I developed a wonderful skill of cooking there during that time. My colleague, who too was a bachelor, used to come and I would, out of my liking for the cooking- make certain preparations like the Biryani or even the Red Meat, etc. in my kitchen which I had been maintaining throughout. Initially, the preparations were not that much tastier, but later on, my friends whom I would invite for dinner or lunch started acknowledging the good stuff cooking. I developed this skill of cooking merely out of my love for it and also out of the motivational applauds coming from my friends’ side. After studying a bit about cooking, I gathered it had very good positive effects on one’s body functioning and even on one’s Psyche.
The positive Impact of Cooking on your psyche: –
Cooking can be so good for your emotional wellbeing that, as ‘The Wall Street Journal reports, therapists are now recommending cooking classes to treat depression and anxiety, as well as eating disorders, ADHD, and addiction.
Mental health experts have suggested that cooking helps relieve depression, anxiety, and stress. As various forms of meditation, yoga, and exercise are some of the effective ways to relax in this busy world, cooking is just joining the list. Slicing and dicing vegetables for a meal can soothe your mind and soul.
Cooking a de-stressor & an activator: –
Cooking or baking has become a common cure for stress or feeling down, but there might be some science why small creative tasks might make people feel better. According to a new study, a little creativity each day can go a long way towards happiness and satisfaction in the bustle of daily life. Cooking is therapy: Making meals helps to reduce stress and heal a broken heart, among other benefits. “Cooking is a great de-stressor because it serves as a creative outlet,” says Debbie Mandel, author of “Addicted to Stress.” “And while stress can numb your senses, cooking activates them.
Cooking, once done with the most personal intensity, intensifies your bond with the person concerned:
You may get surprised, but what I have found is that a cook, because of his involvement and special know-how, prepares the specific preparation with deep intimacy and a level of satisfaction. Cooking a meal is one of the most personal things you can do for someone. You’re providing plated nourishment made with your own hands and creativity — This makes your bond with the person for whom you cooked even stronger and intimate. Thus, in our Kashmiri-culture-we normally say that if we invite someone for dinner-we befriend him very easily because it is all about intimacy and affliction involved especially in providing him the best of your efforts in form of the finished cooked stuff for eating.
I cook Kashmiri-Mutton Biryani well and can hype for it too:
I make very good ‘Biryani’-especially of Mutton and I enjoy cooking the same. As far as the basic ingredients are concerned, I go into detail. I ensure the good Mutton quality, good quality of ‘Kashmiri Masalas’. I apply culinary expertise as a timely usage of ingredients with proper steam pressure to be given. Adding a few dry fruits and dry leaves would make the stuff smell better. Finally, while using the fast-paced decisions needed, I do a bit of motivational management as well by highlighting the final product to be the unique one prepared so that the final invitee devours it with all expected feelings and full of saliva in his mouth. My hype is so much that the consumer-my friend who eats the final preparation is forced to submit that the food was simply superb.
Is Cooking a Skill or A Talent?
There has been a long debate on the fact of whether writing is a skill or a talent. I may be a creative writer or a fiction writer- I would always take it to be a skill developed over some time. Likewise, is cooking skill or talent.? A skill. It can be taught, with varying degrees of proficiency, to anyone-even children. To put flavors together and develop recipes, though, is a talent, and not all cooks have it. Learning to cook will help you understand world cultures, customs, and flavors. You will also learn life skills like eating healthy, budgeting your money, and cleaning. Save some cash. Cooking is less expensive than eating at restaurants, fast food joints, and school cafeterias.
A cook is also an artist: –
Each dish is a creation that takes many hours of time and dedication, so feeling comfortable working in the kitchen is important. Therefore, you must know what you want to achieve and your vocation for service. Having passion and discipline are two key aspects to be a superb cook. Without a doubt, the passion for cooking moves you to perfect yourself as a professional. Research the products, touch them, manipulate them, and be responsible for each dish you prepare. Discipline is key. You will have very hard and tired moments, but the idea is to persist and cross the barrier. You must get out of your comfort zone. As they say, if it is easy, it is because something is failing. Be creative. A talented chef differs from another basically by creativity. If you can take ideas and be inspired, you will design recipes that only talented chefs have achieved. Be creative, but don’t lose your identity. Identify and know what your style is. Only then will you be recognized for your unique way of creating innovative culinary proposals. Don’t put limits on yourself!
Being the Chef or a Cook is not the same:
I may be a good cook-which I could become over some time since I had been a bachelor on my own for at least a decade, but I cannot and should not be compared with a professional chef. Anyone can become a cook- The first thing is to clarify a confusion of concepts: being a chef and a cook is not the same. Just as being a director or secretary is not. “It’s like football,” says Diego Guerrero, “not everyone plays in the first division, but those who play in the third region are also footballers.” The cooking shows that are now broadcast have not made this concept clear: their contestants get fame before their profession, “and the trade has to be learned because there are very few cracks,” says Guerrero.
Professional Chef:
Professional chefs are exceptional precisely because they spend their lives devoted to their craft. They go to culinary school, work years in commercial kitchens learning the skills, and immerse themselves in the study of food. Most home cooks don’t reach this level because they don’t have the time or energy to do this. Being able to prepare food properly without a timer and knowing what all the settings on the oven do are also key indicators of an excellent cook. Chopping an onion in seconds, cooking steaks perfectly using the thumb technique, and the ability to whip something up from scratch also sets confident chefs from the rest of us.
Becoming a chef is a tough profession.
Dedication is key- A lot of dedication and vocation, that’s what it’s all about. While it is true the demand for this career has increased, take it seriously and be constant in learning. Studies confirm that 10,000 hours of practice makes you an expert in any discipline. So don’t forget that a gastronomy professional is born from the dedication you put into each of your actions. Have a study base ‘Essential’ for everything you want to do. A house cannot be started with the roof, there is a complete process before. You must have an excellent base of specialized studies in an institute or university so that you can put into practice complex techniques and recipes. This way, you will be one giant step ahead to reach your goals. Use natural ingredients. These become a critical part of the entire brewing process. The best thing is to always go for the healthiest and most natural, and then combine those ingredients with original recipes. All with a lot of creativity! A skill that all talented chefs possess. You must be able to feel the aroma of your dishes, savor them and realize their presentation with the smallest detail. With experience and practice and constant tasting of products, you will refine your senses to design magnificent compositions and create unforgettable experiences. Manage time. If cooking is just your hobby, maybe time is irrelevant. But to be a good cook, have a clear conception of time. Not only to ensure that your cooking and techniques are excellent but also so that your guests have the best experience and your talent stands out. Being the best chef depends on you and how much passion you put into your culinary career. Your effort will be what leads you to be part of the new generation of chefs and to develop your talent well, you must know how to choose the best culinary school option.
Just a decade ago, if a young man told his parents “I want to be a cook,” it was likely that they would throw their hands on their heads. Today, instead, they face a prestigious profession, worthy of admiration, full of glamor. But, what do we know about the true life of a chef? Although in the last decades it has gained prestige, the cook is still a tough profession. They work when others rest. The days are marathon (about 16 hours a day) and require daily control and care of details. The talented chefs – beside them there are a lot of chefs who work from the most absolute anonymity – are aware that their business is “like a baby.“, which according to Diego Guerrero- “robs you of all your energy and, the more pending you are, the more failures you see”.
I am just a simple Cook:
Coming to myself-when I talk as a cook-about other things related to the kitchen. It is not only one or two preparations I can make-I am confident of doing the other details of the kitchen as well. I am good at tea making and even sandwiches of different types. I may make even the good ‘egg parathas, etc. The idea to convey all this is- if I am left to myself, I would not get handicapped at least at the Kitchen level. Finally, it is well said that if someone gets his better half as a good cook-his rest of life would be the luckiest one since he would enjoy the best of culinary varieties to eat and enjoy. I am happy to admit that my better half is surely an excellent cook, especially of ‘Kashmiri Wazwan’. Wish each one of you to be lucky as well on that front.
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