I've never really done "real" cooking- I don't eat meat, but now that I am married and my husband LOVES the stuff, I need to learn how to cook it. I've been looking at recipes and I don't even know what half the ingredients are (Or where to find them in a grocery store!) Not to mention I don't know any real cooking terms- I've always made casseroles, pasta, sandwiches, etc. Give me some tips, reallly any information about cooking, I need HELP!
2007-04-11 04:58:41 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
Sounds like you need more than recipes. Do yourself a favor and buy the Alton Brown books:
I am just here for the food
and
I am just here for more food
These two books will teach you a whole lot about the science involved with cooking. Don't worry, they are easy and fun to read.
Search Alton Brown on Amazon - he has a few books out there you may find useful.
They will even teach you about kitchen utensils and cookware.
I notice he now has a book on baking as well. These are PERFECT introductory cooking books.
Later, if you want to get more advanced buy On Food and Cooking by Harold McGee. Warning: This is a big book and not for the feint of heart. But it is a wonderful book on the science of cooking. Not only that, but he gives great food entomolgy as well.
But for now... stick with the Alton Brown books. I GUARANTEE you will learn how to cook with them.
2007-04-11 05:11:58 · answer #1 · answered by Shawn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, that's a tall order. OK, here's a few: Read the recipe all the way through before you start to make sure you understand it and have all the ingredients and equipment. Get a couple of good cookbooks that talk about techniques. Cooking A to Z is one of my favorites. It goes through ingredients, equipment, and techniques, explains them and give classic recipes. Talk to others, good cooks always love to share recipes and ideas. Watch food network, they do a good job of explaining things as they go along. Pay attention while you cook. See what works and what doesn't. Listen to the sizzle, watch the steam, see how the flavors change the longer something cooks. As you see how the ingredients and process interact, you'll develop more confidence. When a recipe says to do something a certain way, it's for a reason. Working bread dough is critical for a good loaf, but over mixing will ruin a muffin. Long, slow cooking will make the most tender chuck roast, but the way to cook a lean steak is hot and fast. Things like that. Mostly, practice and don't be afraid to try new things. The best cooks have had disasters, and even once you're accomplished they still happen, just not as often and you get better at fixing them. Good luck and happy cooking! edit: I have to beg to differ with #6 above. Extra-virgin olive oil has it's place, but it's not for everything. Sometimes you don't want a strong olive oil taste in your food and there are times when you want an oil with a higher smoke point. Extra virgin is expensive, especially for someone just starting out. I use the 'good stuff' for salads where the fruity flavor can come through, regular olive oil to saute (once you add onions and garlic and stuff it covers the delicate notes so there's no need to waste the expensive stuff) and vegetable oil when I want to add no taste at all (say mixed with butter for eggs and french toast-it keeps the butter from burning so fast) Oh, dear, there's nothing wrong with Sandra or Paula. Sandra's methods are good for a beginner. You get the payoff of cooking a meal without all the fuss and if it gets you to try something new, it's worth it. Yes, Paula loves her butter but the key is moderation here. She has good homey recipes and all good cooks have something to contribute, it's silly to dismiss them out of hand and unfair to pass one's prejudices on to someone else. Listen to everyone, then make up your own mind. The point is, try different things and use what you like-it's your kitchen!
2016-05-17 09:28:55 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been cooking for about 15 years (started young) and I love looking through the new Betty Crocker cook book. It's got pictures of what your food is supposed to look like and what it's not supposed to look like, and will explain what you did wrong and how to fix it. It's a fabulous resource.
As for quick, easy, homemade type food, you can check out www.kraftfoods.com. They have delicious recipes that are very easy to follow and have very few ingredients.
2007-04-11 07:57:15 · answer #3 · answered by irishharpist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We all have to learn to cook and find our way around the grocery aisles so don't worry. My favorite resource for recipes is the website www.foodnetwork.com
you can find just about any recipe your looking for and the ingredients you need. I recommend Paula Deen.
When you get to the grocery store find an employee and get them to help you find what you need-thats what they are there for! Have fun!!
2007-04-11 05:16:39 · answer #4 · answered by sweyerscave 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pick up the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook or the Betty Crocker one. They explain so much and break everything down. Trust me, those two cookbooks helped me a LOT when I didn't know how to cook anything but ramen.
Good luck! Cooking will be fun!
2007-04-11 05:11:54 · answer #5 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lasagna with meat......meat sauce with any type of pasta.....tacos with ground meat!!!! Any thing you would like to try......go to foodnetwork.com for some recipe help!
2007-04-11 05:02:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Click here to find your answer
2016-02-22 23:25:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try:
http://www.foodnetwork.com
They have hundreds for receips to choose from.
2007-04-11 05:02:16 · answer #8 · answered by mlb212522 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.crisco.com/basics/cooking_terms.asp
2007-04-11 05:08:57 · answer #9 · answered by angelbaby7595 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋