In an attempt to keep myself motivated in the kitchen, I decided to document what I’ve been concocting here with you all. Hope this plan works out and that I continue to feel as excited about learning how to cook, even if it may seem basic to all of you out there in the blogosphere. I literally started only being able to cook rice…in a rice cooker. My feelings towards being in the kitchen and putting together meals has already changed drastically in only a couple of weeks. I find myself actually having a good time, although, in turn I also have noticed that I can get pretty down on myself when I make mistakes. I have to remind myself that mistakes are bound to happen, especially when I’m still at such a rookie level, but my fear of failure gets the best of me at times.

Last week, I found a recipe for penne with corn and brown butter. It seemed simple enough for a beginner like me to try to tackle so I excitedly went to the grocery store to pick up any ingredients I didn’t have at home. One big gripe I have had so far? There always seems to be one especially annoying ingredient that I cannot find at the grocery store. It is beyond irritating. This time? Oregano leaves. I decided to leave them out of the recipe, which ended up being a bad decision. It was a little bland, but I was proud of myself for browning the butter all by myself. Of course, I was obsessively stirring the butter in complete and utter fright, fearing that I would manage to burn my entire kitchen down, but all was good. I may have been a little too safe, as the hubs told me I could have left it in the pan longer, giving it an even nut-ier taste. However, good news was that I cooked the corn perfectly and no one was poisoned! I paired it with a ready-made organic butternut squash soup and was happy.

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