I think this is the primary thing we’ve lost touch with, due to agressive marketing by food manufacturers: We can cook all of these things for ourselves. People used to do it all the time, we can do it too, and it’s not really that hard. The techniques are mostly simple, and the ingredients are generally few and inexpensive. So here is my top-ten list of foods that you are better off making at home, with links to my recipes:

1. Pizza
2. Dried beans
3. Vinaigrette/salad dressing
4. Ice cream
5. Nut butter
6. Salsa
7. Mayonnaise
8. Chicken stock
9. Applesauce
10. Soup — chunky and creamy styles

Certainly, many other foods belong on this list, such as bread and granola, but I don’t have my own recipes for them. I also plan to try making other staples, like mustard and ketchup. One of those other secrets that you learn once you start cooking a lot is that it’s actually fun. It encourages you to try new things, experiment and get creative, on a daily basis. What’s better than that?

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