I need to learn to cook !!!

ppolly

I wouldn't recommend Jamie's MofF book at all,way too complicated for complete beginners - I know that is who it is supposed to be designed for, but I think you would need someone to show you how to do it. I taught myself from Mary Berry's 'The New Cook' -has lots of pictures and very reliable straightforward recipes (currently 1p on amazon!). Delia Smith, great too. Nigel Slater's 'Real fast food' would also be good -my husband has used a few of his, and he is just a beginner cook.

Linda32

LivingintheSun wrote: »

Anyway, I married a man who enjoys cooking, so all was well. However, hubby's job has changed and he's going to be travelling a lot more, which means I'd better learn something to keep me going.

Hi, Similar thing happened to us, OH's job changed and he got home before me, so he put the dinner on. I just left written instructions, which he was happy with.

What order to do things in etc.

Justamum

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

Why do you assume it's men who know nothing? The OP is a woman, after all Would a comment on a DIY book aimed at "women who know nothing" be acceptable?

Gender equality in the Learning to Cook field :T

And don't forget that most of the top chefs are men!

hot.chick

Anoter vote for Delia - her books are fool proof.

And if you get her complete cooker course he goes over EVERYTHING, from the diff between simmer and boil, to diff types of tools and pans and what you would use them for etc....

Maybe see if you could youtube some of her shows - pick her making something you would like to eat and copy her.

Do you have a friend who can cook? I know I wouldnt mind offering a hand to a friend who needed some help in the kitcen, not to do it for you - but as a support on hand when you had a question.

Good luck...

Pink.

Hi LivingintheSun,

Delia taught me to cook too. The complete cookery course is excellent and if I remember correctly she also did a series of 'how to cook' books which had very simple recipes explaining basic techniques. You can find many of her recipes on her website: deliaonline

Another book I've seen recommended here many times is 'Beyond baked beans' It's designed for students giving step by step recipes and advice for people who want to learn to cook. The website with recipes is here

Pink

anguk

Another recommendation for Delia's Complete Cookery Course, I got it for my son when he first moved out and it's brilliant.

Siren1

ppolly wrote: »

I wouldn't recommend Jamie's MofF book at all,way too complicated for complete beginners - I know that is who it is supposed to be designed for, but I think you would need someone to show you how to do it. I taught myself from Mary Berry's 'The New Cook' -has lots of pictures and very reliable straightforward recipes (currently 1p on amazon!). Delia Smith, great too. Nigel Slater's 'Real fast food' would also be good -my husband has used a few of his, and he is just a beginner cook.

Hi, I am also a beginner at cooking, and get confused with all the Jamie's and the Gordon's of the cooking world, I just want a book that shows me basics and how to do it well, explained in a language that I can understand. Out of curiosity I went on Amazon to look for the 1p book - and I was amazed that there were some left so have bought one for myself, I cannot wait to get it and pore over it, have never made a chocolate cake or anything like that and feel excited that by the time I have gone through the book that I might actually just be able to do one. Thanks to everyone for yr tips and guidance, they're absolutely invaluable, and it goes to show - a woman's place is not always in the kitchen guys !!!

SallyForth_2

I would also recommend you get into watching a few cookery programmes on the TV, while you may not want to cook what they are making it is still good to watch what they do, as they often explain and demonstrate techniques which is all good knowledge. In particular look at how they prepare vegetables, use knives, handle the oven, hob and pans.

I agree with the others, that Jamie Oliver and Delia are particularly good, but it's worth watching a few, especially those who appear on Day Time TV shows, and other food related show as they tend to be about everyday cooking.

Siren1

I have just started doing this, I recorded Jamie's 30 minute meals last night and watched it, wasn't keen on what he made but it was good to hear what tips he gave out. I bought a SC a few weeks ago and a friend gave me a soup pan too, so far I have made mushroom sioup and a lentil soup, in the SC I have made pork and mushroom casserole and they all turned out great. Never had the confidence to cook before but just out of a relationship and kind of have no choice, but am really pleased with how much I am getting into it. Thanks to all for all your help and advice.

Tish_P

Student cookbooks. They start from things on toast and work up, they have lots of recipes for one, and they are frugal. The ones by Cas Clarke are best.

Another good one is "Real Fast Food" by Nigel Slater. That too has most of its recipes serve only one person, which sounds like what you are after if you'll be cooking while he's away!