First You Read, Then You Mix

Welcome to your first cooking class. Tonight you are going to make a spicy tomato curry, and the chef is here to help you. Don't worry if you've never cooked before. Just follow the steps.

First, read the recipe all the way through. A good cook always reads to the end before starting. You don't want a surprise halfway through.

“Now, measure your flour,” the chef says. “You need two spoons, no more. Too much flour and the sauce gets thick.”

So you measure two spoons of flour. After that, you heat the oil in the pan until it is hot.

Next, add the flour and the spices. This curry is spicy, so add one spoon of chilli. If you don't like spicy food, add only half. Then mix it well, so the spices don't burn.

“Smell that?” the chef asks Nadia, who is cooking beside you.

Nadia nods. The whole room smells warm and spicy now.

After that, you pour in the tomatoes and a little water. Let it cook slowly. While it cooks, measure half a cup of cream and keep it ready.

Finally, when the sauce is thick and red, turn off the heat. Now add the cream and mix it in slowly. The cream makes the spicy sauce soft and smooth.

First you read, then you measure, then you mix. That is all cooking is: small steps, in the right order. Now taste it. You made that.