how can a novice learn how to cook so she doesnt starve to death?

Question

i lived with parents all mylife. i'm in spain now, and i like with 2 other students, but theres no one to cook for me. i'm giong to be here for 3 months, then travel to france for 2 weeks before coming home. projected day of return to states about mid june. so until then, i need to find some way to feed myself. theres like burger king agnd mcdonalds and dominos pizza, is what ive been relying on. i get frozen pizzas. you see in the states, i eat budget gourmet and lean pockets everyday, augmented with fruit. but they dont have this stuff here, its all fatty microwave meals. i dont know how to use a stove even. i'm so lost. any suggestions?

Answer 1

well you can always make stir fry of vegetables, healthy and easy to make

just saute garlic and chop onion, and then throw in the veggies that you like, add seasoning and thats it. you can serve it with warm rice. you can also add chicken strips or beef strips while sauteing the garlic and onion

or you can make fried rice, again saute garlic and onion, add beaten egg, stir well, add in the cooked rice, mix well, add in seasonings, voila, you get the simplest fried rice yet filling and yummie. if you have extra money to get soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, these 3 kinds are good for fried rice as well.

you can always make scramble egg, 3-4 beaten eggs mixed with finely sliced or chopped onion, add in seasonings, shredded cheese and milk (both are optionals). heat a little oil, saute 1 tbsp chopped onion, pour in egg mixture, scramble, serve with toast or baked beans or bacon.

make tuna chowder, you will need a can of tuna, a can of cream of mushroom, milk, seasonings, garlic salt and celery salt. mix all well, bring to a slightly boil, serve warm

make soup. as simple as buying carrots, potato, green beans, kernels, bring water to a boil, add in bouilon powder, chicken or beef stock if you have, seasonings, add in veggies, stir well, let simmer until veggies a bit tender.

you can also buy can foods you know, and you can add this and that, experimenting yourself until it reaches your tastebud :)

there are many easy recipes here
http://indorecipe.com

Answer 2

As the other people who answered said, getting a cookbook is essential just for the fact that you don't have any memorized recipes yet. The first thing you need to do is not be afraid of cooking, there are some complex and difficult recipes out there but there are even more simple, delicious and healthy recipes that anyone can make. Not knowing how to use a stove, presents a problem...can a roommate show you that at least? Cookbooks, especially ones for beginners, aren't just a bunch of recipes, they have photos and simple directions to get you started. Read the recipe through until you understand it and make sure you have the necessary ingredients and utensils. Then follow the directions and you'll be eating in no time. Once you get some of the basics down, like cutting veggies and meats, boiling and frying you'll get to the fun part of cooking....personalizing dishes. When I first began cooking as a teenager, I would fry a 1/2 pound of ground beef and then go through mom's spices trying different combinations to see what they'd taste like! Some were bad but most were good and the experience gave knowledge and bravery to try new things. I went on to earn a cooking degree and work as a chef for 15 years. Cooking is fun and can be an adventure, the main thing is to never be afraid to try, with only the basics in hand you can create flavorful dishes that you'll enjoy sharing with your friends.

Answer 3

Boil some water with some salt added, put in some pasta let it boil for 8-10 minutes. Make sauce with diced onions, garlic, tomatoes, tomato sauce.

Stir fry veggies with your choice of meat - chicken, ham.

Get some ground beef, lamb, pork - make meatballs. form around skewers to make kabobs.

Get some mussels and/or clams pour some white wine in add herbs like cilantro, ginger, onions, garlic. Cook the ones that are closed, throw out the ones that remain open when you touch them. When they open up they're ready to eat. Throw away the ones that don't open up.

Fritata - eggs, chopped ham, diced onions, potatoes.

Salads are very easy, chop up some lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, add salt and pepper. A little lemon juice, maybe thrown in a can of tuna.

Answer 4

Do your roommates know how to cook? Maybe they could teach you some of the basics. Or how about a neighbor or friend that knows how to cook. Try going to Food Network's website, you can find some pretty basic recipes there as well.

Answer 5

Get a kettle that automatically shuts itself off. You can make noodles-in-a-cup and cup-a-soup with boiling water. Buy yogurt cups and cheese and keep them in the fridge. Buy fresh fruit at a fruit market. You don't need to cook it. Buy a loaf of bread and a jar of nutella. You don't need to cook it. Buy a box of crackers.

Have the fruit and yogurt in the morning. Or, have nutella on bread.

Have the noodle cup in the evening.

Answer 6

The Best possible thing to do is : Buy a copy of 'The Joy of Cooking' . It's a great book for beginners as well as experienced cooks . Great recipes and such, but the most important thing is. .. that book actually explains the 'hows and whys' of cooking . Which makes it easier and easier the more you use it .

Answer 7

Watch the show goodeats on the foodnetwork, it explains the basics and science of cooking. It doesnt say do this and do that. Alton Brown (host) says do this because, do that because your results are better than this. As well he gears his hsow for amatuers. Good Luck

Answer 8

Cooking is not difficult.....yes it may seem threatening.....but it is not difficult.....and once you start.....you figure out what you actually enjoy making for yourself and who knows in the future maybe for some friends....well......the world better watch out!

You say you're in Spain then try to make one of their native but simpler dishes. Like Chorizo Al Jerez.....very simple......very tasty.....inexpensive. I like the following recipe. Try the recipe at the website below which is step by step. Let me know what you think.

Answer 9

sounds like you eat krap. this will begin to show before long. (as fat and bad skin). after a bit it will affect your organic chemistry. you need to learn fast.

learn to cook rice. pretty simple. wash it, drain it. throw a pat of butter or equal amt of olive oil in a small pot, dump in a cup of rice, stir it around (med heat). when it gets a little brown add a cup and a half of hot water, bring to boil, turn it down cover, cook on low 16 min. turn off heat and let it sit for 20 min,(don't take off the lid). voila, steamed rice.

get some veggies, clean and chop into bite sized, put in small pot with a few tbsps of water, cover, bring to boil. most veggies you can steam this way about 2 min. enjoy with rice.

read a cookbook.

Answer 10

Foodtv.com has great recipes and they sort them by level of difficulty (easy, medium, hard).

Call you mom and ask her to buy you the Betty Crocker cookbook and send it to you. It is a great easy to follow cookbook and covers the basics of buying and preparing meats and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Good luck and stay away from fast food!