How I Enhanced My Cooking Skills with Help from Chrissy Teigen!

Do you like to eat?  Do you like to cook or try new things?  Do you want to add a little zest in your life by spicing things up a bit (puns intended)? 

This year, we have definitely all found ourselves with much more time being spent at home looking for things to keep us busy.  The options for adventures far from our homes are definitely much more limited this year, but what about adventures that we can do at home?!  This year is a great time to get creative and find some fun adventures that can be done from the comfort of your own house.  What are some examples of such adventures you ask? Well check out my blog post with some ideas by clicking here.  This post, however, focuses on one in particular adventure that I am currently undertaking.

Disclaimer:  Some of the links in this post are commission links.  They will cost you no additional fee if you purchase through these links, however, I might make a tiny commission from the purchase. 

A few Christmas’ ago, I received Chrissy Teigen’s cookbook called “Cravings.”  I let it sit untouched for a couple of years on my coffee table, always thinking someday I will get around to cooking some of her recipes.  Then, the next thing I know….WAM, the year 2020 comes in like a wrecking ball canceling any plans I had for the year and shutting down all social events.  At the start of the shutdown, I happened to be moving and participating in another at-home “declutter” challenge that I created, when I came across Chrissy’s cookbook again.  

What excuse did I have this time? None.  Literally. 

So, like I always seem to do…I made a challenge out of it!  I decided that I wanted to make every single recipe in this cookbook and document my progress along the way through an Instagram page.  

This challenge would not only keep me entertained during an otherwise pretty lonely and boring time, but it would also enhance my cooking skills and expand my palate!  And I can use the Instagram page to look back and see all the progress I’ve made or remember which recipes were my favorites to make again in the future.  

I am not going to lie, before this challenge, I didn’t know much about Chrissy Teigen other than that she was John Legend’s wife and a model.  But since then, I have been keeping up with what she shares about her life and her adorable family and I have gained a ton of respect for her!  Not only did she create an awesome brand for herself with her Cravings Collection, but she also is really talented in the kitchen!  I learned that her mother is Thai and that some of her recipes are Thai influenced (um..YUM).  I also learned that she loves to cook and experiment with fun foods, and that she shares these on social media and on her website for the world to try also!

My favorite thing about her cookbook is that it has TONS and TONS of pictures!!  All of the recipes have a picture so you can see exactly what it is expected to look like.  She also includes a little blurb with a funny story or a humorous message that I found very entertaining to read for each recipe.  The instructions are very easy to follow so far too! 

I was completely blown away by the first few recipes I tried from this cookbook (perfect pan-seared scallops and cheesy guacamole) and I can’t wait to make more progress with this challenge.  I will post more updates along the way on my Instagram page and on the blog!  Subscribe to the blog by entering your name and email here so you don’t miss my updates along the way.

I recommend this challenge for the experienced chef AND for the complete amateur.  You can use the same cookbook I did, or try a different one!  Maybe you want to try all crock-pot recipes.  Or get better with your airfryer or instapot.  Maybe you want to try a baking cookbook or all different types of cookies and treats.  So what do you think?  Comment below if you are trying this challenge out and what cookbook you are using!  If you are using Chrissy’s Cravings cookbook, let me know which recipe is your favorite so far or which recipe you want me to try next! 

Click here to get Chrissy Teigen’s Cravings cookbook on Amazon! She even has a second cookbook called Hungry For More (click here). And if you are like me and follow her on social media, you’ll know her awesome Thai mom is coming out with a cookbook as well!! Click here to preorder Pepper’s cookbook from Amazon!