Im a bad cook my BF is honest and tells me whats wrong w/my cooking but it seems like i cant improve.?

Question

I need some suggestions. I usually put to much salt or the food is too oily.

I want to cook. I don't follow recipes anything i cook is usually want i"know" already from mom or something ive grown up with.

It isn't nothing fancy either just usually some kind of meat with 2 sides. and i cook with the usual salt pepper and garlic salt. I is always the same taste or the same thing.

Answer 1

I take this approach, and it seams to work well for me, and it should work for even the most novice cook.

Step 1) Find a good recepie. Do some searching online for several versions of the the same basic concept. Then pick the one with the best sounding ingrediants and/or the best instructions.

Step 2) Make sure you have all of the ingredients, substitutions work sometimes, but whenever possible try to have exactly what is called for. Make sure everything is fresh, most anything that you have had for a while is questionable.

Step 3) Study the reciepe enough to get the process right in your head. Sometimes (and I recommend this) I even re-write the reciepe into a step by step checklist that I will check things off of when I'm cooking.

Step 4) Pre measure everything into the size portions you need. set them up in bowls, dishes, or maybe even onto some wax paper before you start cooking. If something needs to be kept cold, stick it back in the fridge until you need it. Don't start cooking anything untill you have it all measured and staged.

Setp 5) Follow the reciepe or checklist exactly. With a little experience and some thought ahead of time you can co-ordinate when to start side dishes etc. so that everything gets done at right about the same time.

Answer 2

I would need to know more specifics of what is wrong, but in general

**buying good quality ingredients- ie name brand vegetables vs generic. Name brand really DO taste better- use coupons and shop sales if $ is an issue

**following recipes exactly (no deviation until you get more familiar with and better at cooking)

**watch your cook times and stir things often if needed (unless its rice, then you don't ever open the lid to stir it at all

** try cooking meats and things more slowly.

** if baking is an issue, buy an oven thermometer and see if your oven runs too hot/too cold. This can make a huge difference. If it runs too hot, try choosing a lower temperature setting to compensate...always watch your times again on baking, a couple minutes on cookies can make the difference between chewy and crisp...

** season food a little at a time when seasoning to taste, it is much easier to add a little more spices/salt than to remove it if you use too much

Hope these help. Remember practice makes perfect. If you don't have it, get the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook (from Walmart or any bookstore) - that is my "bible" and their recipes are always good!

Answer 3

Do you enjoy cooking? That is a big plus but not essential to being a good cook. My wife cooked all the meals when our kids were growing up and she was able to always get dinner out on time and keep everyone happy but she hated cooking. I'm retired and have taken over the kitchen duties for the two of us, I enjoy that responsibility and am a pretty good cook to boot. Keep at it and taste what your making, try to make some decisions as to what your preparing might need, more salt, more pepper or a little fresh basil. If you enjoy what your doing that's what counts, perfection comes with time.....

Answer 4

Your question is kind of general; are you trying to make complicated meals (you know, really fancy stuff)....if so, that takes time and lots of trial and error! Do you have a Dierberg's grocery store in your area (they offer cooking classes at low prices), or maybe one of your own grocery stores has these also. And, community colleges offer several cooking classes in thier continuing education programs
(classes of interest, usually in the evening or on a Saturday). I have found that fooodnetword.com is a fabulous site for ANY types of recipe -- many are truly fool-proof (I know first-hand!) You'll get there -- keep looking for the easy first, then work your way up.

Answer 5

I was one of the worst cooks when I met my husband I was so bad that I burnt water on the stove. Evaporated and burnt the bottom of the pan:O Although what you need to do is start easy dont go for the hard recipes to begin with also try to find someone to help you improve your cooking skills it takes time although you can get there. I have some easy recipes that are really yummy that I can share if you would like just email me and I will share.

Answer 6

Your problem is that you don't follow recipes. Quit adding so much salt, pepper etc. Trying cutting down on what you are adding to the food. Start small, try Hamburger Helper meals and serve it with garlic bread. They have a wide variety of meals to choose from.

Answer 7

the main thing is dont rush the cooking process. Most people crank the heat up to high and burn things before their actually done yet. And whatever you do,,dont over season things. Salt pepper and maybee some garlic powder will do for most things. Let the foods natural flavors come out.

Answer 8

Of course you can improve. Maybe you just need to start simpler is all. Learn the basics. What type of things have you been making? Some things are more complicated then others. If you can give me a few more specifics I can give you some recipes and pointers! Happy cooking!

Answer 9

Stick with one recipe until you've mastered it. Find one that you know your boyfriend will love, and keep practicing. By following the recipe or directions to the "T," you'll eventually get it right. Once you've accomplished one dish, the next will be easier...and so-on and so-forth until you're cooking with ease!

Also...If your boyfriend can tell you what's wrong with it, then you can assume he knows how to fix it. (Remember, you shouldn't criticize something unless you have a solution to the problem.) Try cooking together -- and then the mess-ups won't be so terrible...they'll contribute to wonderful memories!

Answer 10

Start out by having proper utensils (pans, etc.). Next step is to learn by following recipes (and DON'T deviate from them!). Also, watching Food Network shows (esp. Alton Brown and Tyler Florence, who both TEACH) will help with techniques. Cookbooks can be useful too. Try to start with one style of cooking (say, Chinese), get okay/good at that, THEN start experimenting in other areas.