Learning how to cook?!
Answers: I am a 34 year old bachelor (divorced) and have never learned how to cook much. I've never really enjoyed it, but I want to expand my horizons and learn how to do it. I like to entertain and would like to be able to have a nice dinner party at times. Are there any other bachelors (preferably around my age) out there who can give me some advice on how they got started learning how to cook? I'm on a budget and really can't afford cooking classes at this time. Thanks for any help!
It's nice to love ordinary things, makes all the difference.
I learned a lot about food and cooking from this book by Delia Smith:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delias-Complete-...
Basically, like the title implies, it's a course in cooking. You learn the essentials so you can later play. In the meantime, all the recipes work. (Also, have learned WHY some of my mother's tricks worked! And - how to buy meat, fish; why cakes fall and how to avoid it)
Good luck
Purchase a basic good cookbook such as Betty Crocker. It explains terms and shows techniques on how to cook. It is divided into sections such as meats,salads,desserts,etc. It also has pictures to help along the way. Cooking basics is pretty easy if you follow the instructions.
I simply started by thinking of an ingredient I want to eat and then looking up recipes on websites such as www.foodtv.com or www.epicurious.com. I would advise watching the Food Channel. Finally, it's just practice...keep trying new recipes and over time you will be able to develop your own recipes.
I'm 18 and would like to cook too. I don't think you need other people in your position to teach you how to cook, you need to go on some recipe websites and find foods that interest you (they don't have to be expensive or complicated). The only way to learn is to start from scratch and find things out for yourself, try starting with something reasonably easy like Spaghetti Bolognaise with garlic bread and parmesan and then move onto a curry or full english or even cakes & muffins. Just choose what you wanna cook and look for a recipe online.
To find recipes just type "recipes" into google and find a good site like allrecipes.com or bbc.co.uk/food/recipes!
Good luck.
I'm not a bachelor anymore, but I was when I started cooking. I didn't have money for classes either. I ended up just finding recipes that sounded like they would taste good and tried cooking it. With enough practice (and ruined meals) I eventually got better.
Just give it a shot. The worst that can happen is that you'll have to find something else to eat if it doesn't turn out well.
The cooking channel on TV. If you don't have cable usually public TV show cooking shows. From there it is just trial and error. Don't be afraid to give things a try. Everyone says I'm a GREAT cook but the truth is I threw out some pretty awful food before I developed into a good cook.
Here's a link to a great website that not only has recipes but user tips.
Good Luck and Good Cooking
http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/Main-Dish/...
I'm 35 got married 3 yrs ago this Saturday. The best cooking device you can have is crock pot, (pork chops or some cheap breakfast steaks and cream of mushroom soup) a crock pot you can cook all day on low and not have to be there except to stir every 5 or 6 hours and the longer it cooks the better it is, needs to cook at least 8 hours on low and add 2 cups water, 2 or 3 cans mushroom soup, and 2 to 3 pounds of meat of choice. with a crock pot you can cook all most anything and it is very user friendly. next is baking with or with out a recipe is somewhat simple very rarely turn the oven higher than 400 I start out cooking at 350 or 375. use plenty of tin foil to cover beef pork or fish and season to taste again don't be afraid to use plenty water it will just take a little longer to get done but it wont be dry. If you can fry an egg you can cook anything just don't be afraid to try. start with very little seasoning you can always add to it but its hard to take it back.
Lots of good advice here. If you're thinking of getting into grilling, the Weber Big Book of Grilling is well worth the investment. It has a lot of information and great recipes that range from the simple to the very advanced. You'll find it at Amazon or in your favorite bookstore.
You might also want to check out charcoalbob.com. It has a cookout calculator that helps anyone grill like an expert, and it also has grilling tips.
We also became "foodies" in recent years, and started out with simple and basic things. But in no time we were cooking up a storm, and the Internet is a great source for information, recipes and techniques.
Best of luck to you.