how can i learn how to cook?

Question

seriously, i burn water.

Answer 1

LOL.... You just start with something you like and work at it. I love cookbooks that show what "real" people are cooking. Get a local cookbook, get recipes from family and friends and just jump in...

Answer 2

Don't feel badly. I didn't know how to cook when I met my husband 21 years ago. So I spent a year using the Encyclopedia of Creative Cooking and making a different meal out of it every day. Go slowly. Make sure you use the right ingredients, and keep trying! Eventually I got more comfortable and started "playing with my food" more. The end result is that I'm now cooking gourmet style food and writing cookbooks! Yes, it took time, but its worth it to know what's in the food you're eating (and that you'll enjoy the results).

Have fun (and always cook with love!)

Answer 3

Get a good BASIC cookbook with easy-to-follow directions. Start simple, a good rule of thumb for beginners is no more than 5 ingredients (not counting herbs & spices).
MY FAVORITE COOKBOOKS
1. Better Homes & Gardens - The Spiral Bound one. Pictures, menus, and the best-ever no-fail apple pie recipe (I use a store-bought crust).
2. Joy of Cooking - No pics, but a wealth of info in "Know your Ingredients" and the chapter introductions.
3. Betty Crocker Junior Cookbook - designed for jr-high age, but real recipes using store-bought & home-made.
Contact your local "Co-Operative Extension" office, Community Center, or College for inexpensive cooking classes. And don't forget the Senior Center; I'm sure some of those folks would love to pass on their kitchen wisdom to a new generation. Specially if they don't have family close by.

Answer 4

I learned to cook by being in the kitchen with my mom while she was cooking. Also by trial and error. I dont believe in cookbooks except for info on what ingredients go well together because if you are a first time cook with no or little experience how are you supposed to know when chicken is done or what par boiled means without a lot of research. Go to anyones house who can cook and watch and ask questions like how do i know when the rice is done or what do i do if i dont like an ingredient that seems necessary. ask questions lots of them trial and error is your best bet that way it will stick in your head. My husband and 4 kids will attest that my cooking is just as good as good if not better than Grandmas! :)

Answer 5

Go somewhere with lot of cooking supplies, but no accessibility to any supermarket where food is available. When you are hungry, you will eventually start cooking..May expect some accidents, but be careful. Day by day, in 3 days, you will become a supercook with a lot of innovative ideas.., the most creative cook with no outside world influence..Good luck!!

Answer 6

It is very easy to cook anything if you just follow a recipe, get a cookbook and cook. Really its easy and then there is just the simple things you don't need a cook book for.

Answer 7

watch the food network. I learned a lot from them. Seriously, they even have a show about the basics called "How to Boil Water."

Answer 8

Watch cooking shows and get a cookbook or 2. It's not difficult. Get decent cookware and never leave the burner on high. Always watch your food while it cooks.

Answer 9

Cooking is like conducting experiments. You try and hope it works out great each time. I started these experiments at 9 and its really fun.

What motivates me = cooking shows on the tele. Dont go for old, slow, mumbling, measurement fanatic sloth-like chefs ...

Try watching Jamie Oliver, he makes everything look like a breeze. Chop this, fry that, chuck this in the oven and VOILA ! really gets me going.

Answer 10

If you want to learn gourmet try this http://recipes.chef2chef.net/learn-to-cook/ If you just want to cook basics try http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf It's my favorite site. Quick and easy step-by-step instructions.