How bad a cook am I... I think I messed up the campbells chicken and rice caserole?!


Question: Any ideas on how to become a better cook without having to spend a lot of money? (I don't really have the money for those cooking classes).

I have cookbooks and I try to follow the directions but my meals still don't come out right... any advice?


Answers: Any ideas on how to become a better cook without having to spend a lot of money? (I don't really have the money for those cooking classes).

I have cookbooks and I try to follow the directions but my meals still don't come out right... any advice?

My main cookbook is the Betty Crocker Cookbook for Kids that I got when I was 6 years old!! The recipes have really good directions & lots of pictures. Good food too!! Maybe you just need to start small & then move on to more complicated recipes as you get more confident. Remember, cooking is supposed to be FUN!! You don't get graded on this. Recipes are not engraved in stone- you can play around a little. Some of my biggest successes didn't look like the pictures, but tasted wonderful, & isn't that the main thing?? Good luck & enjoy yourself!!

If you truley love cooking it will show and things will be better!

what???? thats like not possible....well williams-sonoma offers free basics cooking classes on weekends

First things first. What's wrong with the casserole?

***** added info *****

I was hoping you'd say why the casserole didn't turn out. Is this the one you're using?

http://www.campbellskitchen.com/recipede...

If so, there's 2 things that could have happened. You didn't stir the soup, water, rice, paprika, and black pepper before adding the chicken. The other cause could be your oven is off temp. Get an oven thermometer and check the heat. And stop blaming yourself!

Practice makes perfect.

Follow the recipes exactly. Make sure you follow temperature and always check early on times.

For example if a recipe says 25 to 35 minutes start looking at 20 minutes, because everyone's stove/oven is different. Recipes also change according to altititude.

And don't substitute because you are new at it. once you get a little more practice you will be comfortable substituting.

Hints:.
When cooking with foil-the key is to cover it tightly so that the steam cannot escape.
Use heavy duty foil and crimp the edges extremely tight.
The steam helps cook the rice, so that is won't be hard.
Also, don't give up.

Sooo...there are a few things that you can do to improve your cooking skills without having to spend a lot of money. Some investment will be required...but, nothing expensive...I promise.

Sugestion 1: If you can't afford "expensive" cooking classes, how about signing up for some cooking classes at your local community center? If you don't have a community center located nearby, you could also try your local jr. or community college. They will sometimes offer cooking classes if it's part of a culinary or restaurant program.

Suggestion 2: Buy cookbooks that specify in their title that all the recipes are (for example) 5 Ingredients or Less! These usually have some great recipes that are not as complicated as other more "gourmet" cookbooks.

Suggestion 3: Now, this is going to sound expensive...but, it's really not. There are franchises that have storefronts where you call and make an appointment and go there to assemble meals. The ingredients have already been prepared and they come with instructions, so you're typically just heating something up that you've already assembled. Add a green salad or quick frozen veggie and your're in business. I think one of them is called Super Suppers...and I know there are others. Check on the web for local stores in your town. When I looked them up, they were averaging around 3.00 to 5.00 per serving (which many times included the side dish).

If none of these things work for you...you might try enlisting the help of a friend who is a good cook. Maybe you can trade cooking lessons for some special talent you have.

Good Luck!

The Coach

just practice with simple things like adding extra condiments such as adding onions on ramen noodles for extra flavor, adding salsa to scrambled eggs for spicy flavor. Follow the instructions as they are and don't change the recipe until you're positive that it'll turn out. I'm sure your cooking skills will improve with much practice. Good luck!

just trial and error, and alot of practice. Did you ever see the episode of "Married with Children" where Kelly put the whole box of jello into water to make it? .... My grown daughter is an EXCELLENT cook, and she once put a whole tv dinner into the oven, IN THE BOX, when she was a teenager:)

Cook's magazine is the very best step by step tool I've ever seen. You can go on the the website and it won't cost you anything.

did you cover it with foil? the foil traps the heat inside, which is what cooks the rice. this is one of my favorite recipes, i made it this week it was great!





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