How can I learn to cook?

Question

Simply put, I don't really know how to cook. Recipes are my best friends when I make for others, and the microwave is my closest ally when it comes to my own eating. How did you learn how to cook? I would ask my mother because she's the only one in the family that can actually cook, but she is deceased. What should I learn to cook? Please give me pointers on cooking. It would greatly be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

If there isn't anyone around who can show you how to cook, I'd recommend going to a any local bookstore and having a browse throughout their selection of cook books. It's true that there are many books that cater to more experienced (aspiring) chefs, but there are also a large number of books targeting beginners, which teach you the basics and fundamentals of cooking.



I'd recommend something like the Better Homes and Gardens Cook Book (12th Edition- their most recent one): http://www.amazon.com/Cook-Better-Homes-Gardens-Kitchen/dp/0696212900/sr=8-1/qid=1167282130/ref=sr_1_1/104-3200182-4636765?ie=UTF8&s=books



I picked this one up when I was learning how to cook. The book teaches you everything- from what a kitchen should have, to what each knife should be used for, how to select good frozen meat, and how to thaw meat. It also has some great recipes. In other words- it's a very, very complete book.



I'm not sure if you'll find this helpful, but I recently created a website that teaches college/university students how to cook:

http://studentbudgetcooking.blogspot.com



Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Read any book written by Anthony Bourdain, also he is on pay tv.



Then just start cooking, use recipes as a guide only and experiment.

I sometimes have to try a dish 3 or 4 times to get it right, or I give up and try another.



Also have a look at any cookbook from Thomas Keller, probably the best chef in the world.

I can recommend The French Laundry Cookbook (Artisan)

By Thomas Keller, With Susie Heller and Michael Ruhlman



Some of the recipes are very difficult. But a good read

Answer 3

You don't have to decide now, but decide at some point what kind of a great cook you want to be. do you wish to be the next Julia Child? You need to go to culinary school. A lot of the TV cooks you see are trained chefs.



do you want to be the best cook in the family, amaze your friends and family? then find some cooking classes near home.



Watch the cooking shows on TV, especially the ones that explain the science of cooking, like Good Eats with Alton Brown, or America's Test Kitchen[PBS]



Check some cookbooks out of the library, look for cooking classes on DVD.



And practice. I learn best when I pick a project that I know I will love, like my lemon meringue pie. I had never made a home made crust, or homemade lemon filling, or meringue, but it turned out great. It looked and tasted great.

By the way, I recommend vodka pie crust from America's Test Kitchen. It really does get crispy, and stays that way. and the pie recipe is theirs, too.



connect into some recipe online sites, like all recipes.com, see what they have, look for something that you know will be a big hit when served.

Answer 4

I started cooking dinner every weekday for our family of five when I was only 11 years old! I watched my Mom and Grandparents, each had their own style and specialties. It was home style, sometimes "hillbilly" cooking. I used to watch "The French Chef" and "Galloping Gourmet" everyday after school. That is where I started to pick up new techniques and advanced my skills.

I think the most important thing to learn is the basic techniques of frying, sauteing, broiling etc. Learning how to really brown meat and when to add vegetables etc. will make you a good cook. For a variety of ethnic ideas I like the Sunset cookbooks. There is Chinese, Mexican, seafood, Italian etc. They also include the cooking techniques, so they're very helpful.

Answer 5

Trial and error are my 2 best friends. I used cook books to learn how to make some dishes and then started adjusting the recipe to suit my taste. After awhile, I got to just look at the things I had in the cabinets/fridge and came up with stuff on the fly.



All it takes is time, alot of patience, and a love of trying something different.



Now if I could just figure out how to cook a complete Thanksgiving dinner in one pan......lol

Answer 6

Start off by deciding on maybe 5-10 of you favorite dishes or desserts. Then check out the foodnetwork.com and do a search for you picks. I prefer Rachel Ray's and Paula Dean's recipes because they usually use ingredients that are easy and inexpensive to find & recipes that are easy to understand. Each time you go grocery shopping buy the ingredients for only one recipe so you don't get too overwhelmed. Then just start experimenting in kitchen.

Even the most experienced cooks don't always have every dish come out perfect every time, so don't worry if your first try isn't the best. Have fun!



p.s. my favorite seasonings are Goya adobo, garlic powder and

onion powder

Answer 7

Great cooking comes from experimentation. I always follow a recipe...and if it comes out good you will make it again....how it hits your pallet you may remember that it may need a dash of a certain spice for a little kick in flavor.



Try looking into enrichment classes offered thru the public school system or community college...they are very cheap to take.



*cooking bags are my best friend...the directions are on the box.

*cooks.com is my other best friend...If I know I like a certain food but dont know how to cook it...or want to make something with spinach and noodles...you can just search for a few ingredients and a few recipes will pop up.....careful this website will make you hungary.

Answer 8

Cooking can be easy and fun. To start get cooking books, from some of the brand name company's you know. So you know the products, and your likes and dislikes, before you cook. I suggest look on Internet for recipes also. Kraft, Betty Crocker, Campbells, are a few good company's to start with. The send you emails, newsletters. With tips, recipes, video's, class's. To start you out. Read the whole recipe. It is hard to cook for yourself. But you can always freeze left overs for another day.

Answer 9

Take a cooking class, buy some cookbooks, Watch the Food Network. That's how I learned to cook (minus the class) I watched cooking shows and got recepes online, and then just experimented in the kitchen. Good Luck!!

Answer 10

Believe it or not, cooking for dummies is actually a pretty good book, with a lot of good information. I also recommend a devotion to Cooks Illustrated magazine.



Other than that, just try things. Look at recipes, try them out, think about how they taste and how they work, think about what you like and how you might make them better and give it a shot.

Answer 11

Watch others cook. Use recipes and tweak them a little to your liking. Watch the food network. Have ur friends and family sample your creations (from modified recipes) to learn what works and what doesn't. Trial and error and a good taste tester can help make you a good cook.

Answer 12

Experiment, don't waste time taking classes. Good way to meet people ... find a friend that loves to cook.



The best book to use while experimenting is The Joy of Cooking ... thousands of recipies, and explains everything in detail.

Answer 13

dont be so nervous, cooking is not an exact science, its an art so give it your own flare. Now first get to know the difference in cusines. The different spices each uses. This will help you when it comes to making them taste good. And remember salt to taste when almost done. Never salt too much up front.



ps dont be afraid to make your food have taste.

Answer 14

The best way to learn is watching, and therefore watching your your randmother or your friends, also have you tried watching Food TV, you will learn so much from the shows.

I am

Asian, the basic ingredients in cooking our food is sauteeing garlic and onion with hot oil.

Answer 15

Internet

Answer 16

take a cooking class at a local junior college. they are fun and exciting to learn new things

Answer 17

practice makes perfect...there is nothing as valuable as getting in the kitchen and experimenting...or you could hit a cooking class

Answer 18

Ahh Cooking. Yum. check out this site

Answer 19

well you could go to a cooking school...cooking is kinda easy.... just read the instructions!!

Answer 20

get a good cooking book (I recomend Betty Crocker) and practice, practice, practice....It's the only way to learn and eventually, you will get better.

Answer 21

take a cooking class or get sum cookbooks. it's not realli dat hard.

Answer 22

just experiment....I love garlic and pepper in almost everything......so I just throw it in...the Internet has many great recipes, but you can add to them as you see fit...JUST GO FOR IT!!!!

Answer 23

experment