Beginner cook?

Question

i want to start to learn to cook dinner. but i dunno how to start? any suggestions? any type of cuisine is welcome

Answer 1

a small cookbook - for starters. With pictures. And when you decide on something, not too many ingredients or steps and go for it.

I have cooked for more years than I care to count, and I still do the above.

Also, get the newer cookbooks that use things that are already made and for sale in the store.

Also, if for example, you want to make a curry - buy chicken strips, boneless and skinless - more expensive to start with - but make a few dishes first the easiest way possible and when you are confident, you can then learn to de-bone, take skin off, etc.

By the way, my husband (72) claims that MEN are the BEST cooks in the world! He always reminds me that you don't see too many 'women' chefs out there :)....He is in the kitchen cooking (just for saying that)

Answer 2

First I recommend that you get a copy of The Joy Of Cooking, no kitchen should be without one. Second, here's my recipe for pot roast.

Pot roast is definately the best thing to come out of a crock pot.

Brown the chuck roast (you don't have to, but it's better). I have a crock pot that I can put right on the stove so I don't have to dirty an extra pan. If you use a separate pan to brown the meat, remove the meat to the crock pot.

Add a large onion cut in quarters, a couple of large stalks of celery cut in big pieces and a few baby carrots to the browning pan. Brown them a little bit and add them to the pot roast. Again, you don't have to brown the veggies either but it's better. The dish will be good without browning, just not as good, depends on how much time and effort you have.

Add a carton of beef stock to the crock pot til it's almost to the top of the roast. Cook until it's done. I cook it on high if I'm in a hurry or low if I'm gone all day. Start it in the morning, it's good to eat when you get home from work. It should cook at least six hours.

You can make a thick gravy or serve the juice just the way it is. You might have to add some boullion to make it taste good. This recipe is also good with beef cubes (stew meat) you just don't have to cook it as long.

I serve the roast with potatoes and carrots, you can add them to the crock pot close to the end or cook them separate. If you don't have a crock pot, cook in a dutch oven for about 4 hours in a 350 degree oven.

Answer 3

Definately get a recipe book. Following a recipe is easy. Try the Kraft website. They have some really easy recipies.

If you want to cook a quick meal, do a stir fry. My fav is curry chicken. Cut up some chicken and throw it into a pan. Cook it for a little so that it is not completely raw. Pour some water into the pan, enough to cover the bottom. Add a spoon or two of curry paste and mix it into the water (tilt the pan). Add some veggies stir it around until the meat is fully cooked and serve!

You can make it with rice.

Answer 4

There are a few 'bibles' of cookbooks out there. Betty Crocker (1961-1980), Joy of Cooking (1975 or earlier), Fannie Farmer (1965), Vintage Better Homes and Gardens (the 1960's). ALL of these were basic, comfort food cookbooks that shows you how to do things and great recipes. Nothing from a box.

Unfortunately, they are getting harder to find and can be expensive on eBay, so watch for them at garage sales, ask family for theirs, or a good used book store might have a few. (I will admit to having over 400 cookbooks in my collection..)

Once you have the basics down--you can follow a recipe and the dish comes out great, you can then venture into any other cooking you want! (Baking takes practice. Measure exactly.)

If you don't want to buy cookbooks, it's easy to find recipes on line. Just put in a title or some of the major ingredients in a search and you'll find a TON!

Take a cooking class at your local kitchen supply store or an adult ed class. Watch cooking shows on PBS even!

You have your work cut out for you, but if you learn to cook, you will eat well the rest of you life!

Bon appetite!

Answer 5

Start with one dish meals. That way you don't have to juggle schedules.

Here is a tasty one dish meal that is easy to make -

½- Pound Bacon
1- Pound Ground Beef
½- Medium Onion – diced
½- Medium Green Pepper – Diced
3- Cups Cabbage – Shredded
1- Can Rotel Diced Tomatoes
¾- Rotel Can of Water
2- Tsp Garlic Salt
2- Tsp Caraway Seed
1- Tsp Oregano
2- Tbls Worcestershire Sauce
2- Cups Shredded Cheese – (I use Mexican Blend)

Slice bacon crosswise into ½” strips. Fry in large skillet until crisp. Remove to mixing bowl with slotted spoon. Add beef, onion & green pepper to bacon grease and sauté until beef is browned. Drain well and return bacon to skillet along with all remaining ingredients except cheese. Stir well, bring liquid to boil then simmer uncovered for 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Scatter cheese on top, cover, turn off and let cheese melt about five minutes

Answer 6

Racel Ray cookbooks are very good for beginners she makes very simple good recipes thatdon't take alot of time,my daughter in law couldn't cook and now she is getting to be fantastic.Don't get discouraged by trying more difficult recipes in the beginning

Answer 7

I have two pretty easy recipes you could try -

Open faced hamburgers
Mix your ground beef with whatever seasonings you want, some chopped onion and shredded cheese. Make patties very, very thin and about 1/2 in bigger than bun. Place on bun and broil until done. Watch though, because if patties aren't thin enough, bun will burn before meat is done.

Taco Casserole
Brown 2lbs. ground beef with 2 pkgs taco seasoning. Sprea din bottom of casserole dish and top (in layers) with salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese. Then top with corn chips (like Tostitos) and cover that with more salsa and cheese. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes or until real bubbly. Enjoy!!! And Good luck!

Answer 8

Find recipes in magazines and book and web sites, or get them from friends, or ask how they make your favorite dish at a restaurant. Start with the recipe just the way it is so you know how it's supposed to taste and look, after which the next time you make it tweak it to the flavors that you like.

Just remember to have fun, critique your finished product with honesty but humor, realize not everything tastes as good as the recipe sounds.

Answer 9

Hello,

Here is a good Italian recipe called, Chiken and asparagus Fettuccine

INGREDIENTS:
12 ounces dry fettuccini pasta
2 cups 1 inch pieces fresh asparagus
1/2 cup butter
2 cups half-and-half cream
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 pound cooked chicken breasts - cut into bite size pieces

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIRECTIONS:
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Add the asparagus during the last 3 to 5 minutes of cooking. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine butter and half-and-half. Cook until thick and bubbly. Season with garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Stir in Parmesan cheese and chicken, and heat through.
Pour sauce over pasta and asparagus, and toss to coat.

Enjoy

Answer 10

My fav is spaghetti...
spaghetti noodles
1 1/2 Tbs oil
Water

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
2 Tbs. Italian Seasoning
half of med. onion-diced
half of med. green pepper-diced
2 Tbs. brown sugar
2 cans of tomatoe sauce
2 small cans of mushrooms-drained
1 small can of tomatoe paste
1 can drained diced tomatoes

Start to boil noodles with a little oil to prevent boil over. Cook beef, seasoning, onion, green pepper together in large pot or dutch oven. drain excess fat. add sugar and the rest of ingredients. drain noodles. put on plate put meat sauce on noodles and enjoy! ps don't forget parmesane cheese...
also enjoy with salad, veggies, or bread.