I need to learn to cook... And I have no idea where to start?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Buy a good general purposed cookbook and read it

The New Double Day Cookbook is a great one and has recipes from easy to more challenging which is great once you start learning how to cook.

The first thing you need to do though is to set up your kitchen with the proper equipment and tools. You'll never learn to cook if you don't have a basic kitchen.

There's nothing more frustrating than getting half way through a cheesecake recipe and realizing you don't have a 9" springform pan.

To that end, here is a list of must-have kitchen equipment. I've also added a few splurges that I can't imagine life without.

Pots and Pans

Your food spends a lot of time here, so quality cookware is essential. Look for heavy stainless steel, anodized aluminum or enamel-coated cast iron models that allow even heat distribution and prevent burning. Popular brands include Calphalon?, All-Clad?, Cuisinart?, Farberware? and Le
Creuset?.

Here are the essentials:

Saucepans [1-qt., 2-qt. and 3-qt.]
Stockpot [8-qt.]
Skillets [8" and 10"]
Large Saute Pan [deeper than a skillet, with a lid]
Dutch Oven
Roasting Pan [one shallow, one deep]
Broiler Pan [usually comes with your oven]
Double Boiler

Splurges
Copper is an excellent heat conductor, but it is a little more expensive and requires a lot of maintenance. Most copper cookware is lined with tin, and over time the lining will need to be "retinned." If you're concerned about aesthetics, copper also requires regular polishing.


Utensils

Keep essential utensils close at hand. A cylindrical utensil holder or small porcelain pitcher can house frequently used spatulas, spoons and more on the countertop. The drawer and cabinet nearest the stove are other prime locations for these items:

2 sets of Measuring Spoons [buy heavy gauge stainless steel ones]
2 sets of Dry Measuring Cups [same as above]
2 Glass Liquid Measuring Cups [a 2 cup and a 4 cup]
Cutting Boards [wood and plastic]
Spatula [super thin stainless]
Soup Ladle
Kitchen Tongs
Standing Grater [4-sided]
Colander
Vegetable Peeler [ceramic are a dream]
Vegetable Brush
Potato Ricer or Food Mill
Long-Handled Fork
Wire Whisk [Hard Rubber Whisks are available]
Baster
Can Opener
Meat Thermometer
Oven Thermometer
Timer
Corkscrew
Rasp
Slotted Spoons
Wooden Spoons
High-Heat Flexible Rubber Spatulas
Citrus Juicer
Strainers
Funnel
Nutcracker
Pepper Grinder
Salad Spinner
Coffee Pot
Tea Kettle
Wooden Skewers [6 inch are the best multi-purpose size]
Ice Cream Scoop
Collapsible Vegetable Steamer
Meat Pounder

Splurges
Le Creuset? Screwpull Corkscrew

I'm going to assume that you have a plate to eat on. Here are a few other items that come in extra handy during food preparation:

Nesting Mixing Bowls [4 or more bowls, pottery or stainless]
Microwave-Safe Casserole with Lid
Rectangular Glass Baking Dishes, multiple sizes
Airtight containers for dry goods storage
Ramekins [individual sizes]

It's a shame that knives have been labeled "unlucky" wedding gifts. Good knives are gold in the kitchen. Look for high-carbon steel and a handle that fits nicely in your hand. Popular brands include Henckels?, Wusthof? and Chicago Cutlery?. A variety of knife storage options are available, from in-drawer trays to counter blocks and magnetic wall-holders. Here are the basics:


Knives
Paring Knife
Chef's Knife
Carving Knife
Serrated Bread Knife
Serrated Tomato Knife [I can't live without mine in August]
Sharpening Steel [from manufacturer of your brand, used EVERY time you use the knife]
Boning Knife
Kitchen Shears [great for trimming fat from meat, and cutting the backbone out of a chicken]


Electronics
Some toys and tools require a plug, so make room by the receptacles.

Heavy-Duty Blender
Toaster /ToasterOven
Kitchen Scale
Hand Mixer
Microwave Oven
Coffee Maker
Coffee Grinder

Splurges
Food Processor [I love mine]
Standing Mixer
Electric Juicer
Ice Cream Maker [I love mine]
Waffle Iron
Chafing Dish
Pasta Maker [I love mine!]
Bread Machine


Baking Equipment

You probably have the brownie pan ready to go. To be prepared for every birthday and holiday, make sure you have the following on hand:

Round Cake Pans [at least two, 8 or 9-inch are best]
Springform Pan [9"]
Rectangular Baking Pan [13" x 9"]
Square Baking Pan [9" x 9"]
Loaf Pans [at least two]
Flat Baking Sheet
Baking Sheet with Rim
Glass Pie Plate
Muffin Tins [at least two]
Flour Sifter
Rolling Pin
Cooling Racks
Pastry Brush
Pastry Bag with Decorating Tips

Splurges
Tart Pans
Jelly-Roll Pan [4-sided baking sheet, which I use for everything, including roasting vegetables]
Angel Food Cake Pan
Bundt Pan
Palette Knife for Cake Decorating
Pastry Blender
Pie Weights

http://tomsaaristo.com/essentials.html

I agree with Kafi, You tube is a good place to start because you can actually watch someone cooking who is giving direction. You also need a good cookbook. One of the best is Joy of Cooking. It has recipes and advice on just about everything. Here are a few easy recipes I've invented or changed over the years. Don't be daunted by the length of ingredients, they are really simple to make and much can prepared ahead of time.

CHICKEN, TORTELLINI & SPINACH SOUP
This is really easy and you can prepare most of the ingredients can be prepared ahead of time.

Serves 4-6
1 package pre-washed baby spinach
1 8 oz. package Barilla Three Cheese Tortellini
2 32 oz. cartons Low Salt chicken broth
1 or 2 chicken breast cutlets, optional
Parmigiana cheese, preferably freshly grated, but store grated is fine
Salt & Pepper to taste

Set out 4 large soup bowls.
Divide the raw spinach amongst the 4 bowls.
Prepare tortellini according to directions on the package and divide amongst the 4 bowls.
While the tortellini is cooking, bring the chicken broth to a boil, immediately reduce to a simmer. Add salt and pepper to broth if needed
If using the chicken, poach the chicken until just cooked through, remove from broth and cut in bite size pieces and divide amongst the 4 soup bowls.
Add the hot broth to each bowl and top with grated parmigiana cheese.

If preparing several hours ahead of time or the day before, be sure to cook the tortellini al dente.
Reheat the chicken broth until very hot and simmering; add the tortellini to the broth to reheat.
Divide the rest of the ingredients amongst each of the 4 bowls, add the very hot broth and tortellini and top with cheese. The broth should be hot enough to heat the bite sized pieces of chicken.

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH APPLES & FENNEL
Serves 4-6
Preheat over to 400 degrees F

1 whole chicken (about 3 lbs) cut in 1/8s, or
2 whole chicken breasts cut in ?, or
8 small chick thighs and/or drum sticks (about 2 ? lbs)
4 small crisp apples (gala or fuji) quartered, if large use 2 large/medium apples and cut in sixths
2 medium or 1 lg. sweet onion, sliced thick
2 small fennel bulbs, quartered
8-10 pealed garlic cloves
6 small sprigs rosemary
3 tbs. olive oil
Paprika, Garlic Powder, Oregano (or your choice of dried or fresh herbs), Salt & Pepper
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
(Peeled cubed butternut squash, sweet or white potatoes or slice carrots would be good too. If you don’t like fennel or can’t get it, leave it out. It is the apples and onions that are the main flavor ingredients. Be sure to cut the potatoes and in medium to small cubes/slices so they will cook through.)

Season Chicken and Vegetables with Paprika, Garlic Powder, Salt & Pepper or your choice of herbs/seasonings.
Toss all ingredients in a lg. roasting pan
Turn chicken skin side up on top of other vegetables
Roast until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender, about 45-60 minutes.

My own recipes

What I do sometimes is get a tin of soup, heat it up, poach an egg in it then serve that with a pork pie sausage roll.

The best place would be Youtube. You can see physically how to do the recipe instead of reading it and having to conceptualise it in your head.

There are plenty of avenues to learn cooking. google it.

they have a cooking guide for nintendo ds it's great.