Cooking is one of the most satisfying things one can do. Whether you're making a simple chicken soup or an elaborate five-course meal, cooking is not just about food - it's about feeding your soul. You can take your time and enjoy this rewarding activity, or you can rush through it. Whatever you decide, cooking does not have to be complicated. All it takes is some creativity, patience, and these six tips to make cooking a pleasure.

The first thing to do is get to know your ingredients. You want to use fresh and organic ingredients whenever possible and not just rely on the available processed items.

For example, if you're making a soup, make sure you know what kind of beans you're using and how they should be prepared. If you want to roast vegetables for a salad, make sure you understand which vegetables roast well and which don't.

You may have a favorite recipe that you cook regularly such as a buffalo chicken wings recipe. That's great! But don't limit yourself to one dish. There are so many recipes out there, and some of them might be even better than your favorite recipe. It's also a good idea to have a few more recipes on hand for emergencies - you never know when someone will unexpectedly stop by for dinner! You never know what you might find if you look around.

You will want to plan ahead to make your cooking experience as easy as possible. Ensure you have all the necessary ingredients and utensils for the dish you are planning on whipping up, including anything that might be required for a side dish or salad. If you are making dinner, it is best to have breakfast ready or planned for.

If you want to make cooking a pleasure, spend some money on quality utensils! You might be tempted to buy the least expensive set of pots and pans, but they won't last long. Invest in an inexpensive set to get you started and then upgrade to a high-quality set once you can afford it. In the meantime, don't forget to invest in kitchen towels - the more absorbent they are, the less time you'll have to spend scrubbing your dishes clean.

Cooking can be very frustrating, especially if you are the type of person who gets easily frustrated. We all know that feeling of getting ready to make dinner, only to discover you need some ingredient, or worse - the recipe calls for an ingredient you don't have (e.g., cumin).

It is OK to take your time when cooking! Slow down and enjoy the process, even if it means going out to buy a new spice or spending a little more time in the grocery store. You will make fewer mistakes and have a much more enjoyable experience when you slow down and take your time.

Don't just open up your box of pasta and stick it in the pot. There are so many different sauces you could use, so get creative! You can also get creative by how you prepare it. You can top your dish with fresh herbs or sprinkle some cheese on top for an extra flavor boost.