1. Equal parts saving money; a desire to have full knowledge of what I am feeding my family; feeling unpleasant after eating takeout/prepared food; relaxation; the intrinsic pleasure in practicing a developing skill.
2. In my head when I'm shopping. This is good because it's easy, but doesn't do much for expanding my repertoire.
3. Generally meals prepared stove-top in one or at most two pans.
4. Nope.
5. If you're making up dishes, less is more. Don't add a huge variety of ingredients just because you have them. Pay more attention to temperature and timing than quantities of ingredients. If you over-salt a sauce, dump in two halves of a raw potato. Don't buy store-ground beef; instead, pick up a london broil cut and grind it at home.
2. In my head when I'm shopping. This is good because it's easy, but doesn't do much for expanding my repertoire.
3. Generally meals prepared stove-top in one or at most two pans.
4. Nope.
5. If you're making up dishes, less is more. Don't add a huge variety of ingredients just because you have them. Pay more attention to temperature and timing than quantities of ingredients. If you over-salt a sauce, dump in two halves of a raw potato. Don't buy store-ground beef; instead, pick up a london broil cut and grind it at home.