How did you learn to cook?!


Question: How did you learn to cook!?
My mom didn't teach me and now I am so lost! It is hard to follow recipes because I worry that my food will be undercooked or overcooked!.Www@FoodAQ@Com


Answers:
It is all about trial and error!. I wasn't taught either so I just try to follow simple things and eventually I worked my way up to complicated things!. Try investing in a slow cooker, they are great!Www@FoodAQ@Com

It's a lot of trial and error!. But some things you can do to help:

-Watch the Food network or get their shows on DVD from your local library!. You'll pick up cooking tips from those shows!.

-The Betty Crocker cookbook is classic and in addition to recipes, it gives a lot of great how-to advice as well as illustrations!. It's super-popular, so you can find it at absolutely any bookstore or your local library!.

-If you have a friend who's a good cook, ask if they can show you some of their tried-and-true techniques!. Offer to buy the ingredients and help prep for a meal with them if they'll teach you!.

-See if your local community college or a local cooking interest group offers classes!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

My mother taught me some things, such as how to fry an egg!. However, most of what I learned was by just reading and following recipes!. If I saw a recipe that I thought looked good, then I would make it, following the recipe to the letter!. If there was a term that I did nor understand, such as "blanching" I looked it up in a cooking dictionary or glossary!. Once I became good a following recipes and successfully cooking what the recipe was for, I was able to begin altering the recipe to suit my own tastes!. There was a lot of trial and error involved, but it was a lot of fun!.
In fact, this is still the same way that I teach myself how to cook new things!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

I had to learn from the Joy of Cooking, cookbook!. It explains in detail why you mix certain ingredients!. Example: when making bread, do not let the yeast touch the salt or it will not rise!. Another one is if you are out of buttermilk, then use lemon or vinegar to make it sour!. Chocolate squares can be substituted for cocoa and some kind of vegetable shortening or butter!. There are conversion charts and substitute charts for certain ingredients!. Basically, that cookbook became my bedtime reading for a while to learn the basics!. The cookbook also has recipes that use all of your basic staples!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

When I was 13 - 14, my mom went back to school to complete her degree!. Each morning before we all left, she would set out a recipe and put the meat out to thaw that was supposed to be used in the recipe!. When I got home from school, it was my responsibility to prepare dinner according to the recipe!. By the time I was in high school, I was venturing into the world of gourmet cooking!. And, at age 17 I prepared Thanksgiving Dinner all by myself!.

The key to learning how to cook is to find easy recipes, follow them exactly and keep trying!. Once you feel confident with the simple recipes, then expand to something a little more complex, master that, then move on to the next level!.

You have a wonderful resource right at your fingertips -- the internet, many wonderful websites that have recipes from the easiest to the most complex, some even have tutorials!. And, you can always ask the cooks here on Yahoo Answers!.

I suggest you start with easy things such as tacos, sloppy joes, meatloaf, baked chicken casseroles, master these, then graduate to recipes that are more time consuming and involve more ingredients!. Keep trying, don't give up, and you will soon be very confident in the kitchen!. Everyone has to start somewhere!Www@FoodAQ@Com

cooking is easy and a person needs to be worry free!. this helps because you need to know that if its your first time making something then it may not come out perfect, you'll need a little practice and then it'll come like a natural instinct!. I learned by watching, so maybe go to a friends that knows a thing or two and learn to do it!. Watch food network too although sometimes they cook funky things (like pumpernikel grilled cheese) just come up with your own alternatives!. You'll get im sure!Www@FoodAQ@Com

I was lucky to have a boyfriend who was a wonderful cook!!.!.I used to watch him closely from start to finish,Once I'veseen a dish made i can always manage to make the same dish and well!.!.If you know a good cook or someone that knows how to do one dish well,watch them and ask questions,you will find it's easy after you have seen it done in person!.!.!. Www@FoodAQ@Com

OMG! Savannah again! how great! I'm sorry I didn't read all the answers to your steak question because I basically told you the same thing as everyone else! So sorry1 Anyway, I was lucky enough to have a Grandmother that taught me how to cook a lot of things when I was a young girl!.But my Mom hated to cook & she loved to sew,SOoooo,she did all the sewing (& I can't!) & I did all the cooking!. What I did to expand my knowledge was to read cookbooks!.At the library or bookstore or anywhere I could!. Nowadays they have so many good websites that have recipes,it's astounding!. also the best way I think is to watch Rachael Ray's show called 30 minute meals!. She cooks in real time & you can go online to her website & get a shopping list of what she's making that week & you'll be all set to go! I think it's wonderful that you have the interest in actually cooking! I know you're going to be a great cook, you can't miss! My Savannah cooks with me all the time!. She's only 7 & she already knows so much! I'm also making her a "family cookbook" that has all the recipes that her & I have made together & all the ones she'll need t know as a woman in her own home someday!. Yep, I love her! Good luck again!Www@FoodAQ@Com

my gran, watching nan and mum and cookbooks!. and just experimenting!. cooking is really easy, just trust your judgemtn and experiment!. most cook books and recipes tell u what temperature and for how long to cook stuff!. always check that it is hot in the middle before eating!. if its not, just stick it back under/ on the heat until it is!.

just be confident!. you have no need to worry!.

good luck!. Www@FoodAQ@Com

When it comes to actually cooking the food, just use your judgment!. If it looks tasty, it probably is!. XD (At least in my experience!.)

I learned from reading instructions on sidekicks packages, things like that!. I made a lot of Kraft Dinner and those sorts of things set me up for making a proper plate of pasta!. :PWww@FoodAQ@Com

I learned to cook at the age of 5!. It has been fun!.You just have to experiment!. If you follow a recipe it will turn out well!. Good luck!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

my mom and cookbooks!.it is a alot of trail and error!.i have made stuff and then been like ummm ok looks like im having pizza lolWww@FoodAQ@Com

My wife died in January of 2001 from cancer since she was sick for so long, we had 2 little girls (back then) to feed!. So, I pulled out some cookbooks and started to cook!. Www@FoodAQ@Com

if you are using cookbooks,just follow the procedures on how to cook a particular recipeWww@FoodAQ@Com

I started watching food network and then a lot of trial and error!. Www@FoodAQ@Com

my mom,and well practice makes perfect!Www@FoodAQ@Com

My mother taught me the basics!. I figured out the rest on my own, with the help of Joy of Cooking!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

stop dicking around and go to a cooking class!Www@FoodAQ@Com





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