Where to start in the kitchen...

frustrated12

Hello,

I am after some advice and tips on the basics in the kitchen. I am keen to learn how to cook quick and simple meals as I am spending way too much on takeaways and microwave meals.

I don't really have anything in the cupboards so what basics do you suggest I should have at home at all times??

Your ideas will be greatley appreciated.

Nanamia

Im sure there has been a thread exactly describing what you are after. Basic utensils and store cupboard ingredient too. If only I could remember! Not much use I kno but I'm off to search for the link

Nanamia

Sorry ipad or Internet connection playing up - gateway 502???
Will look in the morning

frustrated12

Thanks Nanamia, would really appreciate the link if you can remeber it

merlot123

Nanamia wrote: »

Sorry ipad or Internet connection playing up - gateway 502???
Will look in the morning

I had this all evening until now, on the laptop and on the ipad, are you with Talk Talk by any chance?

Linda32

frustrated12 wrote: »

I don't really have anything in the cupboards so what basics do you suggest I should have at home at all times??

Hi, I depends on what you want to cook. Obviously one size dosn't fit all If you like the types of meals which generally come as ready meals such as pasta and mince type meals then these are the sort of meals you are looking to make in bulk.

The idea being is that you have a freezer full of 'home made' ready meals :T

Take Aways such as curries can be batch cooked in the same way, although I've never mastered home made curries so I can't help with these.

Going back to what I originally said maybe try making one big lasagna to start with then serve into portions and freeze these portions.
Then you could do a pasta bake and freeze that.

HTH with a couple of ideas

coolcats

Best to look at student cook books, will give you lots of basic ideas to start. Have a look in the libary for one to start you off. they often have a basic kitchen guide on what you need to have a simple basic kitchen as well as simple meals.

Honeythief

My best tip for starting off with basics is to include herbs and spices in your repertoire and make sure they're still in date, not expired and tasteless. My home cooking was always bland until I learned how to use those (thank you Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food book!) but now it's really good. And no, "mixed herbs" and "season-all" will not achieve the same effect!

If I was starting off with herbs and spices I would include as absolute essentials:
- ground cumin
- ground coriander
- curry powder
- bay leaves
- thyme
- black pepper

And a jar of minced garlic and a jar of minced ginger. Okay, you can do your own garlic quite easily but ginger is a pain to prepare and I use it much more often now that I buy it in a jar instead of fresh. I always thought I hated ginger but turns out I just don't like ginger powder. Minced ginger root is a key ingredient in a lot of what I cook.

I spent years attempting to cook from recipe books but nearly always found it disappointing. Truly it was learning about spices in particular that transformed my end results.

Good luck in your journey, and happy eating

Butterfly_Brain

Just remember that a recipe is just a set of step by step instructions and you shouldn't go far wrong.
Go to your local library and try to get Jamie's Ministry of food, it has step by step instructions aimed at people who have never cooked. This is an excellent book for new cooks

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooking-Beginners-John-Burton-Race/dp/184400581X

There are some websites as well that may help:

http://www.cookuk.co.uk/children-index.htm

http://step-by-step-cook.co.uk

You could also look on you tube for lots of recipes or 4od for plenty of cookery shows such as make do and mend, superscrimpers recipes, river cottage etc

frustrated12

Thanks, I think I'm going to make a meal plan for a week first and then I can see what I need

madvixen

What sort of meals do you like? We may all be able to share some recipes with you.