Learning how to cook

CompBunny

Hi Anselm,

If you can cook cheese on toast you can boil a pan of pasta But as a first port of call to start you off with confidence it is worth contacting your students union - when I was at uni (not that long ago, I'm 25) they ran a few basic cookery sessions to help students learn to cook cheap and healthy meals. They also provided little booklets of simple recipes with straightforward instructions.

Get yourself a good student cookery book and work through it, starting with a recipe that you would REALLY enjoy!

If you would rather not spend the money there are some fab tutorials on youtube for cooking and a wealth of recipes on the internet. I frequently refer to the BBC food website for recipes, they have a cooking techniques section too http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/knowhow/

Apart from that, don't be afraid to experiment. I'm still learning, but its fun! Occasionally you might make a mistake and end up with something less-than-delicious but the majority of the time you will be so pleased with what you have created!

Easy meals to start with...well at uni I started with spaghetti bolognaise using a jar of sauce to start with, stir fries (super easy - get wok, throw in meat until cooked, add veg, stir, boil noodles, pile on plate, job done), fry ups, pizzas using a base mix from a box. But it really depends on what you like A jacket potato (cooked in microwave is quicker and cheaper than over and very easy) with baked beans and a side salad is a cheap, easy and healthy favourite

Have fun!

SailorSam

If you're living alone that's a good start 'cos you don't have to worry about what others think. Like anything else it's all about practise, the more you do the better you get. Start with simple things off the Internet and as you get more confident experiment, it's unlikely you'll poison yourself.

Any

When my DSS went to uni, he was taught:

chilli con carne
spaghetti bolognese
spaghetti carbonara
beef stew
roast chicken
stir fry

This list was put together by me and my MIL. Because in our opinion once you master these, you can vary them a lot (apart from spag carbonara, but that was because it is his favourite)

You can do a lot with bolognese sauce - spaghetti, lasagne, on pizza, on toast..
stew - you can change it by adding mustard, vegetables, wine... also the knowledge on how to thicken etc is good for use in other recipes
stir fry - you can change a lot by different spices, veggies or meat

Also our local council has courses.. I had no idea about these until recently. Try search. We have ones even called "Cooking for men" and from pictures there seem to be lot of elderly gentleman who after retireing decided to be usefull at home as well.. :-) It's a part of Life Long Learning.

I love the idea. There are some for complete beginners, baking ones and oriental ones.. I might go on one (the oriental one I think). It's not free, but it doesn't seem to be expensive as commercial courses and also students/unemployed/pensioners get discounts..

Anselm

Hi, thanks for all the thus far. To clarify I live my mum and siblings, but because I'm not always around when dinner is served, I want to learn how to cook so I'm not eating crap etc and as I said its a good skill to have.

The suggestions about the council and uni cookery courses are great thank you. I know uni do some sort of course so I'll sign up, and I'll check the council. To be honest I'm a picky eater so I hope learning to cook will make me less so and I can have a more varied diet - but first I need to learn basics
Thanks all.

cambridge5000

I have been gradually expanding my cookery knowledge in the last year or two and found the recipes of BBC Good Food to be a real help. If you have a basic ingredient you can search for recipes. Or just browse around and see what you fancy. The recipes there have all been tested, so should be easy to follow.

But as other posters say, just enjoy experimenting a bit!

CompBunny

Anselm wrote: »

Hi, thanks for all the thus far. To clarify I live my mum and siblings, but because I'm not always around when dinner is served, I want to learn how to cook so I'm not eating crap etc and as I said its a good skill to have.

This might be the worst thing to say (because if me and my Mum ever try and teach each other anything we usually end up falling out so it isn't worth it) but could you ask your Mum if you can help cook dinner sometimes so you can pick up skills as you go?

Monsternextdoor

Learning to cook is fun, its all about making mistakes and experimenting with flavours.

Sometimes its not about being taught how to cook, its just observing what people are doing in the kitchen, get a few easy cookbooks that are easy to follow and start experimenting.

Owain_Moneysaver

Anselm wrote: »

Hi, thanks for all the thus far. To clarify I live my mum and siblings, but because I'm not always around when dinner is served, I want to learn how to cook so I'm not eating crap etc and as I said its a good skill to have.

In the meantime perhaps mum could put your dinner in the fridge for when you come in, instead of giving it to the dog?

Anselm

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

In the meantime perhaps mum could put your dinner in the fridge for when you come in, instead of giving it to the dog?

How did you know we had dogs. :eek: And yes she could, but warmed up meals aren't all that nice and I'm going to have to learn to cook someday - so better sooner rather than later

Anselm

CompBunny wrote: »

This might be the worst thing to say (because if me and my Mum ever try and teach each other anything we usually end up falling out so it isn't worth it) but could you ask your Mum if you can help cook dinner sometimes so you can pick up skills as you go?

Probably could but she doesn't always home cook and I'm not always in, but i'll ask her - thanks