This article was written by a girl who learned how to cook veggies and beans about 2 years ago…and I’m 19 now. 

I grew up watching Top Chef every week and I clearly remember the types of questions that usually popped into my head. I wondered how it felt to use the kitchen as a space to emotionally heal. I am a curious girl, so I wanted to feel the same experience that chefs and cooks do while making the ordinary, extraordinary in the kitchen.

During quarantine, our time in the kitchen has considerably increased, whether individually or as a family…quarantine has obligated some of us to share this now holy space. But, even in distance we keep our relatives close with certain dishes or specific mixes of flavors. 

Besides reading, I needed a hobby that would allow me to focus on something other than the problems happening where I live and the pandemic raging through the world. As cheesy as it sounds-, I started with a bag of potatoes, some regular cheese, milk, and eggs to prepare a basic but DELICIOUS mashed potato puree. 

After that first puree, the serene nostalgia would revive my soul every time I started doing it. The process of cooking my own food (right now, our food because I’m staying with my family) while taking my time moves me to a warm and relieving mental place that feels like home. I have started to understand the importance of seeing and feeling the kitchen as a studio and the food I make as art in addition to a strategic coping method when things are out of my control and I need to calm my mind. 

I’m definitely (three thousand) miles away from being a good cook, but just having the comfort of keeping myself present and enjoying the moment, slowing down, focusing on a project that requires attention like cutting vegetables, and looking forward to doing so is something that could easily likened to the epiphanies of painters and writers have during their ‘aha’ moments.  

For that reason, I prepared a list of 3 classic, cozy recipes for you to try as we all prepare for autumn:

• Pumpkin and cinnamon soup topped with sliced cheese and cilantro: This is my all-time favorite! I think of autumn as a salty-sweet season just like this dish. My recipe only needs pumpkin, onion, and red bell pepper in boiling water with salt, a touch of garlic powder and just a sprinkle of cinnamon. When the veggies are tender and thoroughly cooked, liquefy the mix with a little bit of the boiled water. Serve hot and top with sliced cheese; (my favorites for this are mozzarella and queso blanco) and yes, cilantro leaves. 

• Tortitas de calabaza (fried pumpkin mini cakes): My mom uses soft baked pumpkin and mashes it with sugar, a little bit of flour, milk and sweet cloves to form a soft dough (similar to a waffle mix), then makes little bolitas with a spoon to fry in hot oil until they have a beautiful and golden color. I always like to finish it by adding a mix of sugar and cinnamon when they're ready to eat. 

• Spiced latte for warm mornings: This is just a regular but tasty drink I’ve taken a liking to these past few days. Grab a cup of hot black coffee and add milk of your preference, cinnamon, and a touch of nutmeg and cacao powder. 

*Sighs in autumn*

Being in the kitchen requires concentration, which is particularly useful when trying to avoid distorted and stressful thoughts that are common during quarantine. It's something I can control in times where I feel like things are too out of my hands. This ritual can be collective or lonely, but the self-care-of-it-all shines through either way. 

Nothing is going to be like it was before quarantine, but surely our cooking skills can take a surprising turn for better. A little learning each day translates to a healthier life, no matter how tiny you think those wins are. I know I won today in my kitchen.

By Luisana Rodríguez

Psychology student, learning enthusiast who loves the contraries of doing nothing and being productive, Virgo reader girl.