10 cooking lessons from Lola's blog

1. Good preparation is half of the job. Great chefs get the tools ready ahead of time, they prepare, cut, and proportion ingredients before they start, which makes the cooking quicker and easier. Create the meal plan and grocery list according to it. 

2. Slow down. Rushing makes things worse. Cooking is an art and meditative practice when you’re present and focused and loving. Hence there is no need to rush. Every step is important. Doing things slowly and one by one is oftentimes the most efficient way to get things done.

3. Respect the process. It takes however long it takes. In "baking", you definitely have to go with the recipe. And yes, you have to respect the process. We would love everything to be done faster, we feel the need to push and speed things us, but it is often not the best idea. The process is what matters and we have to trust it.

4. Try new things. Try to create a new recipe.

5. Love is the secret ingredient of everything. It may sound like a cliche, but love is one of the most important and universal ingredients of good food and…all other good things. The practice of cooking with love teaches us to do everything with love.

6. Good tools make the work easy and enjoyable. One good sharp knife can change an entire cooking experience, plus make everything you do quicker and better. Invest in good tools in your kitchen.

7. It is best to cook whatever is in the season. Seasonal produce is the freshest, delicious, and most affordable option.

8. Food is the topic using which you can connect practically with everyone. At the dinner table avoid talking about politics, issues with digestion, gossip, reality TV. Food is typically producing the emotions of love, and remember that a piece of bread is also food.

9. Just by using what you have at hand. Make a good meal with the ingredients you already have. And every time, you able to make something good.

10. Share the food/inspiration/ideas/experiences with people you love. Share the food.