Every day it’s more expensive to go out to eat and it’s increasingly difficult not to feel ripped off each time you do. The price-quality ratio just keeps getting worse. If you also live in the United States, you must budget an additional 20% for tip on top of the already outrageously high prices and the quality often leaves much to be desired. Moreover, even when you spend a lot of money, you don’t always get a satisfying gastronomic experience. In many cases, you are left feeling that you could have enjoyed more and spent less.
Many people I know go out to eat more than anything because they have no choice. They say I don’t have time to cook, or I don’t know how to do it. But let’s not let that stop us, let’s consider eating at home as an option!
Cooking in the Comfort of Your Own Home
Cooking is much more than a simple daily activity; it’s an opportunity to bring together the people we love and create unforgettable moments. Inviting friends and family to cook together, whether you’re grilling, roasting, or in the kitchen, is an experience that goes beyond the food itself and connects us with the people we love.
Instead of spending large sums in restaurants, consider cooking at home. Here are some reasons why you should do it:
- Unity and Sharing: Food has the power to unite us. Preparing and sharing a meal is a way to show love and affection towards others.
- More Time and Less Stress: Cooking at home allows you to enjoy more time with friends and family. You don’t have to worry about reservations or traffic to get to the restaurant and you can stay as long as you want chatting after dinner.
- More Economical: Buying fresh ingredients and cooking at home is more affordable than eating out. You can prepare delicious meals without spending a fortune. Home-made drinks are also better value.
- Healthier: You have total control of the ingredients you use, avoiding any ingredient that causes allergies or is just not healthy.
- Learn and Experiment: Cooking is a creative process. Follow recipes, experiment with flavors, and discover new combinations to unleash your creativity. You can surprise your loved ones with your creations!
Personal Example: Comparing Costs
In my personal experience, when I go out to eat with my family in South Florida, the budget for a modest meal for 4 at a family restaurant is at least $100. But if I wanted to enjoy a more luxurious experience, like going to a famous chef-name restaurant like Boulud or Michelin-starred places like Cote, or Hiden in Miami, the expense can easily exceed $500 for a couple, and yet it does not guarantee total satisfaction or that you won’t leave the place hungry.
Can you imagine what you could eat and how many people you could invite with an investment of $500? I’m not saying that’s the budget, or that it doesn’t make sense to go out to eat for some special occasion. I’m just comparing costs, the costs I normally face.
Does this mean that we should never go out to eat again? Quite the contrary! When we go out to eat we get inspiration, we can understand how our favorite dishes are prepared, and how the ingredients are combined.
In our case, there are meals that I find very difficult to replicate at home, either because of the complexity or the time it takes to prepare or how complicated it is to get the ingredients, for example, Japanese food, or haute cuisine that we can usually get in Miami, but I don’t like paying 30 dollars for a plate of overcooked pasta carbonara with heavy cream that I can do better at home. We are just more selective in terms of what we go out to eat, why, and when we do it.
You Don’t Need to Be a Chef
You might say, I don’t know how to cook. If you can follow instructions, it’s not that difficult. What you need is a good recipe, the right ingredients, and a little practice and you will be able to prepare delicious dishes that will surprise your family and friends.
Cooking at home allows you to control what you eat, from the selection of ingredients to the way the food is prepared. And the best thing of all is that you don’t need to be a culinary expert to get delicious results.
Are you lacking inspiration? Don’t worry. At Javier Happy Eats you will find a variety of recipes for all tastes and levels of experience. From simple dishes for beginners to longer and more complex elaborations for the more daring.
Cook with Love, Share with Joy. Enjoy the process of cooking, the company of your loved ones, and the pleasure of a good meal.
What inspired me to start Javier Happy Eats? My love for cooking and for sharing special moments with others. I want to share what I know to help others improve in the kitchen, while also improving myself. For me, cooking is fun and rewarding, and I want to convey that enthusiasm to others through my blog.
In summary, cooking at home is not only more economical, but it also gives you the opportunity to enjoy delicious meals and share special moments with your loved ones. So the next time you face the question of “Where are we going to eat?”, consider the option of staying at home and preparing something delicious yourself. Your wallet and your palate will thank you!
