---
draft: false
pinned: true
hidden: false
title: "My Cooking Methods"
subtitle: "How and why I cook the way I do. 🙃"
feathericon: ""
author: Bug
#started: 2026-04-11T10:00:00-07:00
date:    2026-04-11T10:00:00-07:00
lastmod: 2026-04-11T14:00:00-07:00
toc: true
audio: false
images:
tags:
  - diet
  - food
series:
  - diet
categories:
  - guides
  - pinned
  - articles
aliases:
  - /posts/recipes/food/cooking
  - /posts/guides/diet/cooking
  - /cooking
  - /cook
  - /posts/blog/cooking
  - /posts/blog/cook
  - /posts/guides/diet/cooking
  - /posts/guides/diet/cook
---

Also be sure to visit my [Diet](/diet) page to see what sorts of food I frequent.

## Grains & Legumes

Rinsing and soaking these are very helpful for my digestion.
Since I'm a nomad and engage in dry camping (boondocking) I've had to find a way to do this while conserving water so that I can stay out longer.

As of April 2026 I've shortened it down to only using twice the amount of cooking water, rather than 3 times or more if using separate water for both the rinse and the soak.
Further reducing the water usage involves washing the meal's veggies in the soaked/rinsed water.

### Example

So, basically, if making 1 cup of rice with 2 zucchini:

**Rinse & Soak Stage**

1. Add 1 cup of rice and 3 cups of water to the Instant Pot bowl.
1. Agitate the rice. You'll notice the water becomes cloudy.
1. Set the Instant Pot to Yogurt - Less - 30 minutes.
1. Allow to sit until ready to start cooking.

**Food Preparation Stage**

1. Remove the bowl from the Instant Pot.
1. Rinse off the zucchini in the bowl then remove them.
1. Pour the rice and water into a colander or strainer of some sort.
1. Continue like you normally would if normally cooking this meal.
    1. Slice or dice the zucchini to your preferences.
    1. Add the rice, zucchini, and 2-3 cups of water to the bowl.
    1. Add any seasonings, such as 1 tsp rosemary and 1 tsp thyme.
1. Set to Rice - High and allow the pressure to release naturally!
    - (I get better results using High Pressure for rice.)

Some may think that even this is a lot of water rice! I prefer my meals moist to help with hydration and digestion. Dry, crunchy, or even al dente rice is a no-go for me.

## Rehydrating Dried Fruits

Normally this is for mangoes and sometimes dates, as I've found that banana coins get a weird texture.

This is as easy as adding the dried fruit to a cup or a bowl, adding enough water to cover them, and then letting it sit for 1-2 hours depending on your patience.

For mangoes the water becomes a deliciously sweet nectar, and for dates it becomes a savory and sweet caramel-like drink, especially if using barhi dates.

## Simplicity & Food Combining

There's something to be said about enjoying the food you eat. If you don't like the flavor of rice, then rice may not be for you. Many people don't even know that rice has a flavor because they're so used to it being cooked with salt, oil, and then having sauces dumped on top.

I subscribe to similar ideas as Natural Hygiene which says monomeals (meals consisting of only a single food ingredient) are the healthiest way to eat and the best chance at a highly efficient digestion. I rarely combine fruits, and allow 20-45 minutes in between each fruit type if eating multiple around a mealtime.

The same goes for cooked food. Sometimes I may combine rice with lentils, however most the time I find myself having rice and a veggie for lunch, then lentils or tofu and a veggie or two for dinner. Vegetables low in acid, calories, and starch (such as celery, kale, or zucchini) are typically safe to combine with higher calorie staples.

The same goes for seasonings. If cooking a celery stew (Khoresh Karafs), my only ingredients will be lentils and fresh celery, with the only seasonings being peppermint and parsley, fresh if I have it otherwise dried. Craving pizza? I'll add oregano and thyme to a meal. Experimenting like cooking a pot of rice with rosemary and lavender can be pretty great too!!

### Boredom?

I've been told that eating this way sounds boring. If having excellent digestion, very little to no bloating, and being able to taste your food without adding toxic (yes, toxic) substances such as salt, oil, and sugar, sounds boring, then continue on with your standard ways.

For me this is one of the most liberating changes that I took on after being fruitarian for months and then needing to go back to cooked foods for the convenience. Once your taste buds have adjusted (takes about 3 weeks), food begins to taste incredible. Any cravings for sauces or extra seasonings are usually associated with stress and seeking childhood comforts.

---

[blog.hyperling.com/cooking](cooking)
