Don Your Way column: Rediscovering love for cooking in lockdown

Or scones, pies, their own loaves or some other creation drawn from the pages of a cookery book that’s been gathering dust for years?

Banana bread is about one of the few things I’ve not actually turned my hand to during the coronavirus shutdown.

I’ve never been a master baker (stop sniggering at the back there) – I’ve always been more skilled at cooking rather than baking.

As, like thousands of us, I’ve been working from home since mid-March, it has given me time to get back into the kitchen and muck about coming up with some weird and wonderful new creations as well as tried and tested favourites from my trusty sauce splattered cook books.

There’s something therapeutic about gathering up your ingredients, jars of spices and herbs and then spending an hour or two using a bit of culinary magic to create a masterpiece.

OK, some have gone down better than others with the family, but the only way to find new family favourites is to test them out.

So over the last few weeks, the trolley has been stacked with things like avocados, dill and red wine vinegar in an attempt to rediscover the joys of cookery and also to broaden the horizons.

As a commuter for work, finding the time to cook after a day at the office is sometimes easier said than done. And I’m also missing cooking for my partner – but I’m still managing to make her mouth water by whizzing over pictures of the dishes I’ve served up and which I’ll be returning to once all this madness is finally over.

I’ve seen plenty of pals also showing off their foody creations as we all rediscover the simple joys of getting back into the kitchen.

I’ve had a go at home made pizza, seafood dishes, pasta, salads, stews, soups and much more.

And yes, OK, I admit it, I've also had the odd takeaway delivered here and there too.

I’m determined to keep cooking and carrying on when things return to normal.