I have always wanted to learn how to cook, at least at a basic level. Where should I start?

Question

My wife doesn't like to cook, and I would really like to learn some decent recipes for dinner, but I guess that I am afraid I am not the cooking type. I need help getting over that hurdle.

Answer 1

Go to a culinary school or even to community school to learn the basic. don't worry if you don't know anything, they have beginners class. It should be fun.

Answer 2

The Good House Keeping Illustrated Cookbook. It has a section on kitchenware, like the basics every kitchen needs. It has seperate sections for all types of food that tells you what to look for while shopping, the basic ways of cooking, and how long it will keep. It has a wonderful glossary that actually helps explain things. And the best part is it is illustrated. It has a color index of all the recipes in the book. As you read it, it explains tings liek how to remove the meat from a crab, how to stuff a chicken, how to do just about anything. It has step-by-step illustrations.
My mother calls it the cook book for stupid people, but she is trained in cooking. This book "accidentally" got packed and taken with me when I was married and moved out of state. Its like a cooking bible to me. I love it. I don't feel the need to have another cookbook, it is that good.
I'm sure you can find a copy on Amazon or eBay, its an older book.

Answer 3

Start with really basic stuff like cooking pasta, grilled cheese sandwiches, fried eggs. Get yourself a kid's, or rookie cookbook and follow the instructions. If you're just looking for practice with the actual cooking part things like Hamburger Helper and instant pancakes are good practice. Very simple instructions and almost no measuring.

One thing a lot of novice cooks do it try to speed things up. If the recipe calls for medium heat, use medium heat. Hotter is not faster, it's just hotter.

My first cookbook was a Betty Crocker cook book for kids. I still have it and still use a recipe or two on occasion.

Good luck.

Answer 4

You can learn a lot by watching cooking shows on cable. There are a variety of programs, and some are targeted for beginners. If your town has a rec department or community college, they often offer evening cooking courses. Once you master a few dishes, you'll be "over the hurdle" and realize that cooking can be fun, creative, and a little sensual.

Answer 5

Just figure out what you guys like and go for it. Find some simple recipes, allrecipes.com is a great site. And then just roll up your sleeves, the best thing is except for baking cooking does NOT have to be an exact science. Experiment and have fun.

And griffyn above is right, watch FoodNetwork, sure they have some shows that will make stuff you'll never eat and they use ingredients that aren't all that readily available but shows like Thirty Minute Meals, any with Alton Brown, SemiHomemade and the like are great for someone starting out.

Answer 6

There are lots of ways.

One great way is to watch cooking shows on the Food Network. Rachael Ray in particular uses very easy-to-learn techniques and easy-to-find ingredients.

Another option is a basic cookbook - like The Joy of Cooking or The Settlement Cookbook - they're like cooking bibles.

My favorite option, though more expensive, is cooking classes. You can take them at a culinary school, or adult education classes.

Good luck. I love to cook and I think everyone should learn. It's fun and creative and saves you money. Enjoy!

Answer 7

Start with small steps. Don't go with a Martha Stewart recipe the first time you cook. Use http://allrecipies.com , its a very helpful website. With small steps, learning how to boil pasta but using store bought sauce for the spaghetti. Then, learn how to make the sauce for the pasta. Or, like with a certain ingredient. Like meat. Learn how to make steak with just salt and pepper. Then you can work it up making fancy rubs and marinades.

Or another way is to prepare a small dish each night added to the menu. Like order Chinese food take out chicken but make the fried rice yourself. Another way is to make mashed potatoes and green bean casserole and buying an already made turkey for thanksgiving dinner.


Trial and error, that's all there is to it. Oh, and a little bit of fun sprinkled in... :)

If all else fails, watch the food channel for inspiration!

Good luck!

Answer 8

I would start small. Buy some mixes follow the directions on the box. Things like scalloped potatoes or taco shells with taco sauce and seasoning packet, macaroni and cheese in the box. Once you discover that you can follow directions on the box you will realize that you are capable of following regular recipes. After you achieve this small step, go to the bookstore and seek out a cookbook. Try to find one that has recipes for foods that you enjoy or that are familiar to you...meatloaf, chicken dishes, pot roasts....whatever that happens to be. Start making recipes from the book. Over time you will discover the joys of cooking and learn very quickly what spices pair well with meats/veggies, etc. I applaud you for wanting to learn how to cook. Kudos!

Answer 9

Start by having some decent cookware, cause your only going to frustrate yourself if you don't. Lasagna fast and cheap for starters, With the appropriate cooking utensil. 2 jars of spagetti sauce, oven ready noodles, grated mozerella cheese, some grated parmesean cheese mixed with cottage cheese. Put some sauce on the bottom then layer up. noodles then sauce, noodles then the cottage cheese mix, noodles, sauce, noodles, and the mozerella cheese to finish. Bake in a 350F oven for about an hour and a half. or untill the cheese starts to get a hint of browning. It's not the best lasgana in the world but it is at least a start and very easy to do.

Answer 10

I am a junior in college so I have just started cooking because now I have a big enough kitchen to do so in!! Chicken breast is one of the EASIEST things to make, and you can do so many things with it!! Just stick it in the oven and it's done when the middle is no longer pink. My favorite things to do with chicken are baking it in italian dressing, or marinading it in different marinades or barbecue sauces. Burgers are really easy too, just fry 'em up!! Mix diced onions, garlic powder, worcestershire sauce, or anything you want to it before you put it on the stove or grill. Sides are really easy. Just put frozen veggies on the stove until they are tender. I always call my mom or my boyfriend's mom about cooking advice, don't be scared to ask!! Moms have the best advice on stuff like that. Just try different things and see what you and your wife like!! Good luck!! :)

Answer 11

It really is not that hard - I would suggest getting a Southern Living cookbook and just trying out a few dishes. That was how I learned to cook at 16 - now I am 36 and can make anything.