worst cook ever

winniepooh

Thanks to you all. You've really cheered me up. Hopefully soon I''ll find my signature dish

sonastin

I get really frustrated with my fiance - he doesn't have the confidence in the kitchen to try new stuff. I try out the new recipe and its *OK*. If we decide its something to add to our repertoire, eventually he'll ask how to make it and when he cooks it, it is PERFECT. Really not fair. How come I can teach him how to do it but can't do it myself?!

WantToBeSE

gibson123 wrote: »

The thing is before you started cooking that you were probably eating processed foods which means too much salt, sugar and artificial flavours, your taste-buds are in distress.

Persevere and gradually build up your skills.

This is right. When i first started cooking from scratch, i found EVERYTHING bland an tasteless, but once i carried on, and experimented with herbs and spices etc, it was fine

jenagain wrote: »

Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food book taught me to cook, definitely worth buying or borrowing one if you can, I found it really easy to follow and we still use the recipes now.

I am a really experienced cook (been cooking for about 12 years, when my 1st son was born, and am self taught-my mum didnt ever cook!!) and i LOVE this book! I literally think its the BEST beginners (and beyond) cook book ever.

gibson123

The book I learned from and probably Jamie Oliver and every chef in the UK too is a book called Ceserani and Kinton's Practical Cookery. If you can get a hold of it, it is the best book to learn from.

GeorgieFTB

I find the easiest way to cook is to 'perfect' dishes. Tonight I cooked meatballs an spaggetti, it not too tough, I use the sainsbug veg meatballs because the family like them better and it means I can't kill anyone with food posioning!

I don't really follow recipies for the main course, I always do for baking though! My main tip is pepper, you can buy cheap pepper in mills, and it really makes tastes zing, for want of a better word. And much better for you than salt.

If you don't cook enough, make sure you cook more next time, then if you cook too much thats lunch sorted for tomorrow!

babyshoes

A lot of people will find learning to cook from a book difficult to grasp, as it is such a practical endeavour. Watching cooking shows on TV and the internet are a better way to learn as you can see how much there should be, what colour is right, what the texture should be etc. The best way though, IMHO, is to learn from someone who is already a good cook, whether that's a family member, friend or neighbour. At first, watching their technique will teach you a lot, then as you improve they can watch and help you as you cook, and give you advice and tips.

I was lucky to learn various skills from a variety of sources from quite a young age. I enjoyed eating sweet foods but wasn't able to obtain them easily, so learned to bake a few simple things from around the age of 8 - with help and supervision of course. My Mom didn't cook a lot of main meals, though she also enjoyed baking and occasional 'showpiece' meals, but I learned a lot from my grandmother who cooked from scratch every day. At secondary school we also had a few years of compulsory cooking lessons, which I enjoyed. We learned basic skills like pastry, bread, mince based meals, roux sauces, creaming butter and sugar by hand etc as well as different preparation techniques and cooking techniques. There was also a theory element about hygiene, nutrition and health (things like why you should cook pork thoroughly and not use the same board for raw meat and veg or cooked meat).

That said, I'm still learning. As I know the basic techniques I am confident enough to attempt new recipes and techniques that I've read about or seen on TV. Often the new thing works out, but equally often it doesn't quite work - though is usually at least edible, and figuring out where it went wrong is a useful skill which will only come with experience!

I guess what I'm trying to say is don't give up. Even fairly decent cooks make mistakes and turn out the odd dodgy meal, especially when trying something unfamiliar. As long as you learn from your mistakes, they're not wasted! If you feel you are really struggling, see if you can't find someone to show you some of their recipes or give you a hand with something you would really like to make but keep getting wrong.

Good luck!

Jinx

gibson123 wrote: »

Dishes such as chilli con carne, soups or spag bol are probably easier than scrambled eggs on toast.

That must be true, my gran makes shortbread, clootie dumpling, scones and steak pie to die for. Her scrambled eggs are bleurgh......_pale_

sjprmc01

Im the opposite, lol! Scrambled eggs is about the only thing I CAN do!

tori.k

I think food always tastes nicer if someone else cooks it, I love colly cheese i make it the same way my mother taught me I even use the same cheese yet her's is still far better than mine and taste's completely different for some reason.

Honeythief

jenagain wrote: »

Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food book taught me to cook, definitely worth buying or borrowing one if you can, I found it really easy to follow and we still use the recipes now. I was really really terrible but have greatly improved with a few years experience

I was going to post exactly the same thing almost word for word I was a pretty rubbish cook before I got that book (at a friend's recommendation) - I could usually make something edible but it was never really very good. Now I am quite a good cook and getting better all the time! It also taught me to use and enjoy spices without being intimidated by them or thinking that spice = hot. I still don't like hot food but now I love spicy food that is full of flavour!