Learning how to cook

SUESMITH_2

cook books by sam stern are a good place to start as well, they're written for teenage boys the recipes are very good and dead easy
http://www.virgintoveteran.com/

Anselm

SUESMITH wrote: »

cook books by sam stern are a good place to start as well, they're written for teenage boys the recipes are very good and dead easy
http://www.virgintoveteran.com/

Thanks for that, I had a cursory glance and it looks good! I like the suggestion of picking a few recipies and then becoming confident in those.

Helen2k8

How do you want to end up?
As in, do you want to be able (eventually) to follow a complex or technical recipe and impress a dinner party?
Or do you want to be able to throw together whatever you find in the cupboards?

Do you like being precise in measurements and times, or are you a "handful of this, turn it when it looks kinda done" person?

Either way, consider learning techniques and *why* certain things are done. E.g. good knife skills, eventually going on to fish filleting/meat deboning etc. If you understand how a dry heat (e.g. grilling) affects flavour compared to a wet heat (e.g. stewing) then you'll be able to make up your own dishes in time

You can't really go wrong learning a good bolognaise (sp??) sauce (which can then be modified to become so much more) and a simple white sauce (which can become bechamel, or cheese etc).

Tune in to cookery shows and see if a certain cook is on your wavelength too

cambridge5000

On the point of chefs, I think the recent Nigel Slater series would be a good start. It's inspiration but also accessible, and his recipes tend to be relatively easy to follow.

I think we get a bit worried sometimes about cooking - most dishes are fairly straightforward with a good recipe (and occasionally skills learnt with experience).

chirpychick

Hi, I went all through uni living off junk food which didn't help my weight or my cooking skills so I can completely appreciate where you are coming from.
I got married at 21 and my husband was doing all the cooking which was fine when we both worked full time but now I am a "housewife" not cooking isn't acceptable So over the past 18 months I have taught myself how to cook.
Very rarely a meal will end up in the bin LOL, sometimes it's just not that nice but mostly, if I follow a recipe it turns out fine to delicious!
I mainly use the good food website or google for recipes I want to make.
The slow cooker is a saviour for me too.
The thing with learning to cook is actually doing it, don't spend too much time thinking about it, pick your favourite meal and try it, if you don't understand what something means then ask someone or google it.
YOU CAN COOK, I promise it isn't as complicated as it seems.

Anselm

- Helen2k8
Hi Helen, thanks for replying. I'd say I most see myself as cooking from cupboards as opposed to dinner parties.
I would say i'm more precise rather than handfuls of, would a passata sauce (with chopped tomatoes) also be worth learning along with bolognaise sauce?
you mention knife skills, are they picked up as you go along or can they be taught?
Nigella Lawson is definitely on my wavelength

- cambridge5000
Yes I think you may be right, perhaps I just have to try cooking rather than over-thinking it, so when I get a moment I'll join the university cookery course (Its only short and only teaches basics but thats enough)

chirpychick wrote: »

...
The slow cooker is a saviour for me too.
The thing with learning to cook is actually doing it, don't spend too much time thinking about it, pick your favourite meal and try it, if you don't understand what something means then ask someone or google it.
YOU CAN COOK, I promise it isn't as complicated as it seems.

Lets not complicate things with the slow cooker just yet :rotfl:
And I think you're right, my favourite meal is chicken in tomato sauce with tagliatelle pasta - so I'll aim to learn and cook that

Thanks all

cambridge5000

That sounds an affordable and achievable ambition. I'd just fry up a chopped onion until it starts to go translucent, then add some chunks of chicken breast. Once these have turned white all over, I'd add a tin of chopped tomatoes. Reduced the heat and allow to simmer, and sprinkle in some dried herbs. In the mean time, place tagliatelle in boiling water as per the packet instructions.

This is just my basic way, sure other forumites would have better/more interesting ideas or may note something I have forgotten!

babyshoes

I like to think of cooking as similar to some aspects of art. When you are learning, it helps to have guidelines to colour in - at first it is difficult to keep within the lines, but as you practise it gets easier. Later you can copy something that someone else has done, and after a few trys you can add your own twist or flair to it. In time, you can create your own thing entirely, inspired either by what you have in front of you or by existing things, and a few people are very talented and make money from creating their own unique things.

It is also subjective, so as in art, go for what you like. It doesn't have to be traditional, beautiful or 'proper' as long as you (and the other people who have to eat your food) enjoy it!

I'd say just go for it. Decide on what you want to learn to cook, find a recipe that looks simple, look up any techniques you don't understand then give it a go! Obviously, it is worth starting with cheaper ingredients in case it doesn't work out well (e.g. mince rather than lobster!), but otherwise just do it.

It is also worth thinking about what type of learner you are when figuring out how you are going to go about learning. Some can learn well from words (written recipe), some are better with visuals (video recipe) and some are better doing things (get someone to do it with you, or just have a go and find out what works by experimentation). Most people can learn using a mixture of methods but prefer one over the others. If you know how you learn best, you can jump start your early understanding of any subject you decide to learn.

Nelski

Hey mucker glad you plucked up the courage to post here - I told you they were lovely :j

Everyone has to learn sometime (apart from my dad of course who at 82 still doesnt know the way to the kitchen :cool:) Anyway good for you for having a go - my uni days were filled with vesta meals and tuna butties :eek: not the best.

Couple of thoughts from me:

Sausage and mash with bisto gravy mmmm (moving to sausage casserole in a jar when you have some pots )
Chilli/shepards pie/bolognaise
chicken with cheese and bacon


in fact thinking about it next time you are in the library see if you can borrow this
Ministry of Food - Jamie Oliver
He wrote that specially for beginners and the recipes are easy and really really good :j

have a look at this link theres some great recipes

http://www.jamieoliver.com/jamies-ministry-of-food/

Anyway I will leave you with the experts and get back to the pub :rotfl:

meritaten

hi Anselm!
I'm 58 and have been cooking for, oh, around 45 years - and am still learning!
I was taught some basics in school - when we did actual cooking and not 'food technology'.
for the rest I thank the lovely person who bought me 'Good Housekeeping' recipe book as a wedding present! back in 1977 so it was the 1976 edition. Its falling to bits! minus a cover, and some pages have a few, er, splatters!
but, its much loved - I still get it out regularly to check quantities or recipes. and I also find that after watching food shows if they show something 'new' .........lo and behold....Good Housekeeping will have a 'recipe' for it!
Get yourself a good basic cookbook - either my much loved GH or Delias 'How to cook'. you wont go wrong - and if you do - then then post on here and someone will know why!