It is definitely easy to stress out in the kitchen. Especially for those scared to cook. I tend to get overly ambitious if I am trying to impress someone I like, especially since I technically "know how to cook" because I went to culinary school. The truth is, I stress myself out for no reason. Over complicating recipes by over planning, creating extra steps or just mucking dishes up is easy to do. I suggest keeping KISS in mind when you are diving into the kitchen headfirst. KISS stands for Keep It Simple Stupid. -Use simple, clean foods, natural and pure ingredients. This way the food shines on its own so, you don't have to make more work for yourself. -Stick with basics. Do not take on a recipe you have never tried before or think a outstanding meal needs to be expensive and super fancy. -Make what you like to eat and what you know how to do. If you are comfortable making one homemade dish, do that and have everything else be from a box. Who cares? Start small and work your way up from there. So, next time you take on that dinner party of 12 or invite the sexy lover over for an evening of food porn, KISS your kitchen woes away instead of driving yourself crazy. You just do not look as cute when you are stressing, either!