.....Cooking advice..... (Full Version)

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TruelyBroken4u -> .....Cooking advice..... (7/10/2008 1:42:16 AM)

The truth be told I can't cook and the last thing I tried to warm up on the stove I burnt. I was wondering is there anything out that might be able to solve my problem of being the worlds worst cook? Even though this very random I am tired of all that prepared food and I want to cook some that is actually good and impressing. So where does one start? Is there any good sites that describe the basic? Any simple recipes? It would be great if you could help thanks!

Michael



Miss Giggles -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/10/2008 7:50:08 AM)

You need practice. I am not the greatest cook either. And I watch all those cooking shows where they make it look so easy.

Any community college also has continuing education. A class would help. Do you have the food network ? There is/was a show called "How to Boil Water".. seriously is was for beginning cooks. If you don't I'm sure you can find the dvds. Start with eggs and pasta.

get the better homes and gardens classic cookbook. (the one with the plaid cover) it gives pictures and descriptions of all the different types of meats, etc in plain english.



christsstar -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/10/2008 10:34:30 AM)

what kinds of things CAN you cook successfully?

I started my cooking success with spaghetti, mac-n-cheese, and grilled cheese sandwiches.

I'm still not a great cook, but I can follow a recipe OK.



Bubbles5 -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/10/2008 11:31:11 AM)

Practice..Practice..Practice
That's bout the only way we all learn anything in life anyways.
Follow that cookbook and you should turn out yummy meals in no time.
Good Luck



agapetos -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/11/2008 3:35:34 PM)

If you are really that bad consider borrowing or buying some children's cookery books. The instructions are basic and clear and the recipes are simple.

Or start off with one-pot meals. It means you don't have to worry too much about getting timings for different components (meat, veg, potatoes etc) together so they're all done at the same time.

Way back when I was in school and did 'Home Economics' (read cookery[;)]) we had to plan everything from start to finish when making something and planned ahead. So you got everything you needed together and weighed/measured. You gave timings for each step. You timed things etc etc. No, I don't really cook that way any more, but I bet I'd be a lot better if I did. I do tend to get all the ingredients and dishes together before I start anything and if lots of chopping is required, do all that to begin with.

Like anything, it takes time to learn how to cook ~ even using a new cooker can throw someone who can cook well. Start simple and practice by repeating a recipe and then introducing a new one.



christsstar -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/11/2008 3:42:08 PM)

Grilled cheese is the best way to start. Once you can make a good grilled cheese, you can do anything (IMO).

Turn the stove on medium. Don't be impatient, keep it at medium. Put your pan on the burner and spray it with spray greese.
Get out your bread and cheese. Butter one slice of bread and put it on the pan, butter side down. Open up the cheese (Kraft American 2% is best) and place it on the bread. 2 slices makes it really ooey-gooey. Butter the other slice of bread and put it on the cheese, butter side up. Let it cook. Be patient. When the cheese starts to melt, take a rubber spatula and look at the bottom. When it's a golden-brown, flip it. Now wait for the other side to be a golden brown. Check often. Don't turn up the heat, because then it will burn the bread and not mealt the cheese.



uncabeeil -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/11/2008 3:50:53 PM)

quote:

even using a new cooker can throw someone who can cook well.
Too true, I just replaced the burner in my grill and it's like learning how to use it all over again. Good thing I don't mind well done!



agapetos -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/11/2008 3:53:57 PM)

Oh, and it may be worth you keeping a notebook or file to keep the recipes you know you can cook in ~ with your own notes added to them.

And learn from your mistakes. Did it burn cos you had the heat too high or forgot about it. Was it undercooked cos the heat wasn't high enough or because you didn't let it cook long enough.

There are a lot of terms that are used in cookery and it may be worth you keeping a glossery as you start cooking.



furrypurrykitty -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/11/2008 11:21:48 PM)

My cooking improved when I got a kitchen timer. Before that, I'd put something on to cook, get distracted and let it burn. Now I use the timer on my microwave.

There are plenty of "quick and easy" cookbooks and recipes out there - I'd suggest that you get some of those to get started with.



MissGizmo -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/12/2008 12:03:29 AM)

I like my crockpot to cook in. I have several cookbooks that are just for the crockpot that would give you ideas.



Mrs.X -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/12/2008 2:26:23 AM)

When frying meat like pork chops and chicken in a pan, try to avoid turning it too many times. Cook it on medium for thick cuts and one or two notches higher than medium for thin cuts. When you can see that the meat has cooked halfway through or more without burning the bottom side, then go ahead and flip it over.

If you're interested in baking meat, buy a meat thermometer for sure. I'm bad a guessing how long and what temp to bake roasts, so I often type in Google "2 lb. pork roast" just the weight and cut, and see what comes up. You can look at other recipes to get an idea of what temp and how long to bake the meat. Another trick about baking meat, ifyou notice it's getting too dark, but it's not thoroughly cooked yet, make a foil tent for it, reflective side out and continue baking.

If you're not good with spices either, just buy some already made meat rubs from the spice aisle. put olive oil and the spice on it and marinade for a couple hours. I really like Creole Seasoning for beef, chicken and pork. And, I like Mrs. Dash with chicken, but you do have to add salt to that one.

If you like rice, buy a microwave rice cooker...it comes out perfect everytime when you follow the instructions. Same with the George Foreman Grill, perfect everytime when you follow the cooking times.



peculiar_lady2 -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/12/2008 1:18:41 PM)

if you are someone that learns best from having help, then ask around at your church for someone (maybe an older lady) who wouldn't mind giving you some hand on help with simple easy home cooked meals.



firefightermama -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/14/2008 7:14:21 AM)

I have a great cooking basics cookbook...HERE

It's very simple, has some great basic recipes. Even tells you how to make a boiled egg or scrambled eggs, how to cook different cuts of meat etc. It's pretty handy to have. There's also a section describing all different kitchen tools and measurements, etc. I love it.

I also have the Betty Crocker Entertaining basics. It has more fancy recipes, but it's still a really great cookbook for beginners, the instructions are clear and there's great pictures too [:)]



agapetos -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/14/2008 12:17:12 PM)

quote:

Even tells you how to make a boiled egg
Ok, I gotta ask, what's the method?



Miss Giggles -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/14/2008 12:23:52 PM)

put the egg in cold water and a few inches of water.
heat to boiling then remove the egg from the heat and let sit for 15 minutes

then rinse

perfect every time



Mrs.X -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/15/2008 1:23:55 AM)

Is that like a 3 Minute Egg? Runny yolk and fully cooked white? My mom used to make me those on test days with butter, salt and pepper. Oh, I miss those! I'm gonna ask her to make me one next time I come over.



FreeEagle -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/15/2008 8:17:50 AM)

I love to cook, even as a male. I do 95% of the cooking at my house. Made homemade bread yesterday.
The egg is - Cover egg in cold water, bring to boil (just as the water bubbles), turn off the heat and leave cover for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and run under cold water - perfect, no black ring around the yoke.
To learn how to cook (or how to do anything else for that matter) visit Wiki How

Here are some basis:
1.) If you can control it, choose which type of stove you cook on.
I prefer gas, as electric the elements stay hot after turning down or off, and items seam to burn more. Always cook on low to medium, unless other wise instructed. The only time I use High is for boiling, or pancakes.
it is better to cook slow, then it is to have burnt food or food that is raw on inside and overcooked on outside. Always use a timer, and try to stay in the kitchen area while cooking. People burn food because they are multi-tasking in 1500 different places. Most items have to be stirred or flipped every 3 - 5 minutes anyway.

2.) Beginners should always read a recipe before using it. This will a.) let you know if you have all the ingredients; b.) let you know how much you're making; c.) let you know how long it will take (I have one recipe that takes 10 days) d.) let you know if you have aquired the skills needed to make said item.
Basic measurements. Always use proper measure devices (cups, spoons, etc).

c. = cup
tsp = teaspoon
tbsp = Tablespoon.
pinch = What you can pinch between your index finger and thumb, or about the size of a dime in your hand.
simmer = cook on very low heat, should be gentle bubbling on surface of item being cooked.
Preheat = heat oven or grill to said temperature for 10 - 15 minutes before placing item in or on.



firefightermama -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/15/2008 10:38:15 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: agapetos

quote:

Even tells you how to make a boiled egg
Ok, I gotta ask, what's the method?



This book says to cover the egg at least 1 inch above the eggs with cold water. Heat uncovered to boiling over high heat. Remove from heat. THEN cover and let stand 18 minutes. Immediately pour out the hot water and run cool water over them.

For soft cooked eggs, same thing only let them stand for only 3 minutes. Everything else is the same.



hotsaucygma -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/15/2008 1:48:50 PM)

A friend of mine was given a cook book when he got divorced- it was called something like "A man, a can and a plan", it got him and his kids through those first few months!



daisies4u -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/15/2008 2:05:22 PM)

I disagree about the grilled cheese sandwich. I can cook pretty well, but I do not make good grilled cheese sandwiches. My husband, on the other hand, cannot cook at all and he makes great grilled cheese sandwiches.

I would not start with pasta. Pasta has a kind of feel to it to know when it is ready. What I would start with is baked meats. Those are the easiest things to cook. There is not really a way to mess it up except to cook it too long. Chicken, pork chops, ribs. All you really have to do it put on some salt and pepper (or any other spices you like) and bake them. They don't require much effort at all.

Crock pot stuff is easy as well. Again, you just need meat and spices. Oh and don't forget the water.

Grocery stores have SO many marinade packets OR dry soup mixes. Most of them all have recipes on the back panels. And most of them you just mix up and pour over the meat; then cook.

Other things, like pasta or casseroles, IMO, would be step 2 in the learning to cook process. And even then, start small. Meat, sauce and starch; like chicken, soup, and rice. You just have to get the proportions correct.

I have also learned ALOT from watching Food Network. Some of the recipes on there are hard and my family would not eat them; but, you can learn alot from just watching. Like how to cut up veggies, how to marinate, which spices to with what. It is a good place to pick up alot of tips.



Roberta_ -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/15/2008 5:02:43 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: daisies4u

I disagree about the grilled cheese sandwich. I can cook pretty well, but I do not make good grilled cheese sandwiches. My husband, on the other hand, cannot cook at all and he makes great grilled cheese sandwiches.


I thought I was the only one who loves to cook who has that problem!

I also have a problem getting eggs over easy to come out right. I break that yoke almost every time! [8D]



agapetos -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/16/2008 10:31:11 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: firefightermama

quote:

ORIGINAL: agapetos

quote:

Even tells you how to make a boiled egg
Ok, I gotta ask, what's the method?



This book says to cover the egg at least 1 inch above the eggs with cold water. Heat uncovered to boiling over high heat. Remove from heat. THEN cover and let stand 18 minutes. Immediately pour out the hot water and run cool water over them.

For soft cooked eggs, same thing only let them stand for only 3 minutes. Everything else is the same.
I had to ask because there are a lot of Americans I've spoken to that don't seem to know what a boiled egg is!

I agree that the water should cover the egg. The egg should be at room temperature too, not cold from the fridge.

quote:

I also have a problem getting eggs over easy to come out right. I break that yoke almost every time!
Is that where you flip a fried egg in the pan?



Mrs.X -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/16/2008 11:29:18 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: agapetos

quote:

I also have a problem getting eggs over easy to come out right. I break that yoke almost every time!
Is that where you flip a fried egg in the pan?


Yeap, fry the egg in the pan and flip it, and over easy is runny yolk with a slightly runny white. Over medium is runny yolk and a fully cooked white. Sunny side up you don't even flip, and the whole thing is runny.[:'(]



doinkdom -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/16/2008 11:45:13 AM)

I found that the secret to flipping eggs is a really good non-stick pan and a really thin spatula to flip with. Also...making sure the pan in hot enough to start cooking the eggs immediately when cracked open. I like mine medium, cause runny whites are [:'(]

I learned to cook from my mom who would make me sit with her in the kitchen and watch her cook. She gave me prep work to do like slicing and such. But she made me stay in there all the time watching so I'd learn the basics.

So I recommend watching cooking shows that use "real" ingredients and not all those exotic, can't find in a normal grocery store items.

As much as Rachel Ray can get on your nerves, she does really easy recipes and you can get a feel for the timing thing as well as difficulty involved by watching her cooking show or getting one of her cookbooks.

The red plaid Better Homes & Garden Cookbook is invaluable no matter how experienced you are, IMO. The best and easiest pecan pie recipe is in there, too[;)]



christsstar -> RE: .....Cooking advice..... (7/16/2008 1:15:00 PM)

Technically I guess I like my eggs over-medium, cause I don't liek runny whites, but I dont' like my yolks over cooked either. So I like a fully cooked white, with a barely cooked yolk. To make them, I crack it open on the pan and let it sit until the white is fully cooked. Then I flip it (which is fairly easy now since the white is fully cooked) and cook the top side for abotu 10 sec. Then I tip the pan upside down onto my toast or plate.



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