Words and image by Olivia Adams

With the closure of many food eateries as a result of lockdown, and receiving the advice to stay at home, the desire to try new foods and recreate meals from my familyÔÇÖs favourite restaurants became a regularity in my household. Being a food lover myself, I did miss being able to eat out and order takeaways, however IÔÇÖm glad that lockdown has not only improved my experience with cooking, but has brought more variety to what I can make. 

Although IÔÇÖve never minded making my own food, IÔÇÖd always view it as more of a chore rather than something that I enjoyed doing – especially when rushing to get somewhere! Not only that, but I could only make a limited number of meals which I would just repeat week, after week, while at university. For example, my meal plan would consist of: stir fry, spaghetti Bolognese, fajitas, chicken curry, stir fry (again) ÔǪand so on. My intake of McDonaldÔÇÖs and other fast foods were getting a bit excessive, so in some ways, from a healthier lifestyle perspective, I admit IÔÇÖm grateful for the lockdown period. 

“My intake of McDonaldÔÇÖs and other fast foods was getting a bit excessive, so in some ways, from a healthier lifestyle perspective, I admit IÔÇÖm grateful for the lockdown period. “

Lockdown enabled me to have time to actually enjoy cooking and further my skills in the kitchen as there was no pressure or need to be anywhere else. I began to spend time reading and looking at various recipe books made by numerous people like: Mary Berry, Joe Wicks and Fearne Cotton, while also browsing online at different cooking websites. This search for a new culinary education meant that I could have a go at making meals that I wouldnÔÇÖt usually try or, in fact, even know existed. It has opened my eyes to many more recipes, tastes, healthy options, and it has definitely made me realise that you donÔÇÖt need to go out in order to be satisfied with food! 

In saying that, there were a couple of occasions where we did get a celebratory takeaway (e.g. for birthdays) and they were delicious! There were other times where myself and my family were craving these meals from our favourite restaurants, and couldÔÇÖve easily given into the temptation ÔÇô but we didnÔÇÖt! Instead, we opted to make our own versions of these foods; which looking back I am proud of us for doing it as our versions were healthier and also saved us money. We ended up designating Saturday nights as curry night, where my step-dad would make a new curry from scratch every week. We also made home-made pizzas, which were just like Dominoes, and one night my brother made Katsu Curry using the WagamamaÔÇÖs recipe. Even though we could not eat out, we brought the restaurant feel and tasty food to the comfort of our own home!

“Even though we could not eat out, we brought the restaurant feel and tasty food to the comfort of our own home! “

Another thing that I have started to appreciate more, to my own surprise, is vegetarian and vegan food. IÔÇÖve always been a meat lover and must admit that IÔÇÖve been reluctant to try foods that are meat-free. This isnÔÇÖt because I dislike what ingredients are included in a veggie meal, but because I always assumed that I would prefer the meat alternative. However, IÔÇÖve actually proved myself wrong! My family and I began to make different meals like: chickpea curry, falafel, bean chilli, and we absolutely loved them! Now I donÔÇÖt think that IÔÇÖll ever choose a chilli containing meat over the meat-free option again, something I didnÔÇÖt previously imagine IÔÇÖd say.  

Over the course of lockdown, there were seven of us staying at home, which meant having to make meals that suited everyone, and in a huge quantity. Although it may not seem difficult, when trying to adapt how many ingredients are needed for seven when the recipe is designed for three or the challenge of remembering not to include some foods due to allergies; you could say it was hard work at times! However, IÔÇÖm happy that IÔÇÖve learnt to be able to do all of those things and I can confidently say I am able to cook for a larger amount of people, instead of just myself, which I can now apply in the future. In fact, since restrictions have eased, IÔÇÖve actually continued to cook for the family a few times, which I wouldnÔÇÖt have done before due to not wanting to cook for more than two people! 

A few months ago, I never thought I would have a newfound love for cooking; however, lockdown has changed that. It has made me appreciate various foods and recipes, while also boosting my confidence in the kitchen. It has helped me to alter my lifestyle for the better as I now follow a healthier food path, while also allowing myself to greatly enjoy the unhealthy options once in a while. Now that many restaurants are opening, IÔÇÖm definitely excited to eat out, but IÔÇÖll never dread having to cook for myself again.