I only eat freezer aisle foods
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www.allrecipes.com is a pretty useful site for beginners. I try at least one dish a week, usually from that site.
This!^
They even have videos of people making the recipe. You won't get any better until you practice. Cooking takes practice.
If you want to start with something simple, look for a kids cookbook. Fewer ingredients, fewer steps. A funny story....my nephew (age 9) has had to show grandpa how to do things in the kitchen.0 -
Pantry staples: salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, italian seasoning, parsley, oil (I use olive), flour, sugar.
Utensils: Tongs, pancake turner (also known as a spatula, basically a "flipper" with slots), slotted spoon, non-slotted spoon, a chef's knife (like the knife in Psycho), wire whisk, peeler, grater, meat thermometer (especially useful while you're learning how to cook to make sure your meat is cooked through).
Equipment: Small and large saucepans (deep pans with sides), small and large skillets (some people call these frying pans), a Dutch Oven or stockpot (a large, 6-quart or more pot with 2 small handes), small and large mixing bowls, colander or strainer, medium sized cookie sheet, casserole dish (Corningware or Pyrex).
Start small and simple, using a grocery aisle assist when needed. Boil some water in your big pot, add some noodles and cook for 6-10 minutes depending on the type of noodle (check the package for directions), heat up a jar of sauce in a small pot, strain noodles, mix with sauce=spaghetti. If you want more of a challenge, brown some ground meat in a skillet, add a few veggies (chopped spinach, grated carrots, grated or chopped zucchini), and throw your sauce over that then add the noodles.
Chop up some veggies, toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, put them in a casserole in a 400 degree oven and about 30-45 minutes later, yummy roasted veggies.
Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and italian seasoning. Place in casserole, and bake at 350 degrees until cooked through, around 30-40 minutes. Check the temperature with a meat thermometer.
Crack 2 eggs into a bowl, whisk until mixed together. Heat butter in a skillet, add eggs once the butter is melted, season with salt, swirl around with your non-slotted spoon until cooked to the consistency you like...scrambled eggs. Add veggies, cheese, deli ham...can be a complete meal.
As others have said, the internet is your friend. Cooking doesn't have to be complicated. Start small and easy, and once you've mastered the basics, try some more challenging recipes. Or don't. You don't have to like cooking, it's not a rule. Some people just don't.0 -
There are a lot of great recipes out there that use only a few ingredients. Start there. It'll give you the basics and won't be complicated. Here are a few: http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/01/mouth-watering-monday-25-dinners-that-are-6-ingredients-or-less/
As others have said, you don't need a cabinet full of spices to cook. You also don't need a lot of fancy gadgets. I know someone was pushing a rice pot but I've made rice in a small saucepan on the stovetop for most of my adult life and it's as simple as it gets. Add two cups of water to the saucepan and one cup of long grain rice. Heat until it just starts boiling and turn the heat down to low. Put a lid on the pan, set kitchen timer for 15 minutes and walk away. Seriously. Don't open the lid unless it starts to boil over in which case lift it long enough that the bubbles settle and put the lid back on. When the timer goes off, turn off the heat. Fluff rice with fork. It's really that simple. If you prefer, you can buy a steamer for the microwave that would work, too, and cost much less than an electric gadget that's only good for one thing. When you buy items for the kitchen try to stick to things that are multipurpose. It saves money and space in your cabinets. Also, if that's too much rice for one meal, use it the next day to make fried rice or add it to another dish.
Stir fry is quick and easy, too. You just need pork, chicken, beef or shrimp; a bag of frozen stir fry veggies; soy sauce, ginger, garlic, etc. Cut the meat into small, bite-sized pieces, then brown in a wok or skillet. Add the bag of stir fry veggies and some soy sauce, chopped or granulated garlic or whatever else you'd like to season it. Cook until the veggies are hot. You can either add pre-cooked spaghetti noodles and toss or serve over rice.0 -
Thanks everyone. I'm learning but my current status is freezer aisle junkie.
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Cooking is my hobby and I even have a hobby cooking blog. When I got my first apartment, 40+ years ago, I knew how to make a "New England Boiled Dinner" because everything was just boiled in the same pot. Just start slowly and try it and you will get better and better at it.
When people were starting out with their first apartments years ago, a common gift from Mom was a basic cook book. Hubby and I are in our sixties and each still have those basic cook books. I wouldn't think of making a muffin without grabbing that old book of mine.
Today, there are new editions of many of the old general cookbooks but a modern one I like to use is Mark Bittman's _How to Cook Everything_.
Also, youtube and google are your cooking buddies. Let's say you are unsure how to cut a shallot. If you go to Youtube and search "how to cut a shallot" you'll retrieve lots of videos that show you how. Let's say you have no idea how to pick out a ripe cantaloupe at the grocery store. Well, just google "how to choose a cantaloupe" and you'll find several pages that tell you how.
Even though I've been cooking for 40+ years, I still use these tools all the time.
Also, many people who like to cook like to talk about cooking and like having newbies as helpers. Make friends with those who cook.
My hobby cooking blog is www.heidicookssupper.com
and I also have a bunch of recipes at http://www.justapinch.com/me/heidicookssupper0 -
Start simple with pasta and sauce and things like that.
Watch cooking videos on YouTube also. There are some great ones that actually SHOW you how to make stuff not just say it in a recipe. Don't be afraid to screw up or try something new.0 -
I would agree with start simple with pasta. Pasta doesn't have to be just the pasta and a canned jar of sauce. Tonight I had pasta but instead of sauce, I roasted cherry tomatoes in a pan and added a little bit of butter. Once the tomatoes were to my likely (which can vary depending on my mood), I mixed them together with the pasta and added some feta cheese. I love that. And tonight I even grilled a steak and mixed that in but I don't always do that.
Once you start cooking pasta and rice, you can really add anything you like to it. But first, learn how to cook pasta and/or rice. It really isn't too hard but if you burn it or undercook it the first few times, that is okay. It took me awhile to cook rice perfectly and even still, it sometimes isn't cooked enough for my liking.
Rice - 2 cups water, 1 cup dry rice (or any amounts in that ratio 2:1) Covered, bring to boil, don't take that cover off. Once it is boiling, shut off heat and leave for 20-25 minutes or until the water is gone. DON'T remove the cover.
Pasta - boil water, once boiled, put in pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes (this will depend on how well done you like it, for me, 9 minutes is perfect)
I really hate cooking meat but I find grilling it is a lot easier, and tastier, than baking it. So, I typically grill all my protein. I feel you can watch it easier than in the oven.0 -
If you're new to cooking then take it slow and start out simple. Cook when you have the time and make enough for leftovers for the next few days. At first cooking can be complicated to pull everything together in the right sequence, but as you gain experience by doing it, it does get easier and you learn a lot of tricks to save steps back and forth.
One of the issues a lot of people have with cooking is ending up with a sink full of pots, utensils, etc... I try to wash utensils as I use them and reuse pans, bowls, or whatever to keep the mess down to a minimum. If I make something that goes into the oven, everything from the preparation is is clean and put away before the dish is done cooking.
Good fresh ingredients almost cook themselves if you keep it simple. With farmers markets and overflow from people's gardens (too many tomatoes and squash usually), you can get a lot of really good fresh produce for not much money right up until fall.0 -
awww I wont say its easy, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes, inbox me for any questions and add me if you like.
the basic things are easy, the scary part is knowing when its cooked. to this day I am petrified of cooking fish and panic each time I fry chicken LOL
send me a list of things you want to learn and ill help you
:drinker: :flowerforyou: 0 -
How are people like me ever going to learn?
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You have to be willing to learn. It seems that right now you're approaching cooking from a place of hopelessness. Start small, as many previous commenters have said. Use the web. Make a vinaigrette, put it on a salad. Learn to poach an egg. Put it on that salad. You've mastered 2 or 3 basic culinary skills and served yourself a meal you'd never find in that sad old freezer aisle.0 -
Eggs can be a very simple item to prepare. Scrambled, hard boiled, fried. Eventually move up to omlets. Get yourself a good non-stick pan, not a cheap one. Gradually increase your skills and add items like vegies etc. Cooking can be intimidating, but the rewards are great, much better than frozen micro wave food!0
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I love this idea. I've always been interested in cooking, but I agree with the other commentators who have said to start slow! Find a recipe you'd like to try (the previous posters have listed numerous options from which to find a recipe) and do it on a night when you have the time to cook it (and the extra servings idea for leftovers is great!). Maybe set up a challenge where you cook a simple recipe each week to start (like another poster said) and pay attention to how things come together - how a sauce sets, which flavors tend to go together, etc. Once you have an idea of combinations you like, you can start broadening your techniques and recipes.
Like I said, I love cooking, but to this day I crave simple recipes like rice and beans or spaghetti with marinara. Only now, I make my own sauce and I soak my own beans. It took me a while to learn those tricks, but it all came from the same place. Good luck!If you're new to cooking then take it slow and start out simple. Cook when you have the time and make enough for leftovers for the next few days. At first cooking can be complicated to pull everything together in the right sequence, but as you gain experience by doing it, it does get easier and you learn a lot of tricks to save steps back and forth.
One of the issues a lot of people have with cooking is ending up with a sink full of pots, utensils, etc... I try to wash utensils as I use them and reuse pans, bowls, or whatever to keep the mess down to a minimum. If I make something that goes into the oven, everything from the preparation is is clean and put away before the dish is done cooking.
Good fresh ingredients almost cook themselves if you keep it simple. With farmers markets and overflow from people's gardens (too many tomatoes and squash usually), you can get a lot of really good fresh produce for not much money right up until fall.0 -
Oh! And I forgot to add something!
I have never really been a fan of freezer foods because they always taste, well, fake and SALTY to me.
But that being said, I have found that Trader Joe's and other similar establishments have wonderful frozen entrees that are relatively fresh and healthy. If you're going to stick to freezer foods, or wean yourself off an exclusive frozen diet, maybe try a place like TJ's and get some healthier varieties.0 -
There are a number of sites that use limited ingredients. There is one on Facebook called Five Ingredients or Less. Every recipe is exactly five ingredients or less. Look into something like that.0
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Why don't you start with something simple? Salads.
Just cut up some vegetables. Throw on some meat... can be canned tuna if you don't know how to cook meat. Maybe some salsa for a garnish.
One of my favorite ways to use tuna is on a plain bed of lettuce with a dollop of salsa. I thank MFP for this tasty little gem!
Also, look up some videos on Youtube. Watch the cooking channels. Check out a book from the library.
There are lots of ways to learn how to cook.0 -
Make a list of your 10 favorite foods, google healthy recipes for those 10 meals. that should give you a good starting point. I love to cook , add me as a friend and I would be happy to help.
Ditto!0 -
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If you truly are clueless in the kitchen, I recommend a cookbook called "Help! My Apartment Has A Kitchen!" I got it for my brother when he moved out on his own and it's great. It gives you basics like how to cook a baked potato, and even has full recipes too.
http://www.amazon.com/Help-Apartment-Has-Kitchen-Cookbook/dp/0618711759/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402512216&sr=8-1&keywords=help+my+apartment+has+a+kitchen0 -
^^This one, and for someone who's like me and arent super great at cooking the best recipes are the ones that have the least amount of ingredients. The thing I hate the most about recipes is when it says it's a super easy one but has 20 ingredients you have to gather for it. Then after 4-5 hours of cooking you end up with a big mess and bland food because it was just too complicated. And I also hate cooking, so as few ingredients and cook time as possible is great for me.www.allrecipes.com is a pretty useful site for beginners. I try at least one dish a week, usually from that site.0 -
How about some cooking classes to start with? Then after you would build some confidence you start watching youtube, websites....etc...
Good luck !!!
I am glad i see people cooking and making a big deal out of it :flowerforyou:0 -
Google "cooking for dummies" or "easy 5 ingredient meals" and experiment.0
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I'm lazy. I like making stews. Bang a load of chopped of vegetables into a pot. Throw in some stock powder. Chuck in some chicken breast. Boil for some time (depending on size of meat). Food for days.0
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www.supercook.com gives you recipes based on what you have in your cabinet/pantry/fridge.0
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Two words. Crock pot.0
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www.allrecipes.com is a pretty useful site for beginners. I try at least one dish a week, usually from that site.
Same here! Also, try searching "5 ingredients & less" recipes. You just have to keep practicing. There is a youtube vid for everything. Example: "What the heck does saute mean?!" Look it up and there are simple tutorials.0 -
you tube videos. I like to watch them when I need to learn something new. Cooking involves doing it over and over again to get good results. you tube just helps you avoid making basic mistakes so you learn faster thru imitation. I LOVE Food Wishes.com with Chef John because he make popular food dishes with lots of explanation for the every day guy who cooks very little.
Chef John's mashed potatoes are the BEST!0 -
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http://www.budgetbytes.com/ has lots of good and easy and very budget-friendly recipe ideas.
Thank you for suggesting this site. I am a decent cook but love cheap meals and these seem cheap but not processed. Great combo0 -
A LOT of recipes online have a million ****ing ingredients. Maybe google some simple recipes, or recipes for poor people like me. You don't want to be buying 30 ingredients just for one meal.
Start with simple things like pasta + sauce. Bake some chicken in the oven, or grill it on the stove, and add it in. Oatmeal packets, rice, bacon.. Avocados you can eat by themselves, with salt and maybe some hot sauce:)
Start with very simple recipes.
I love cooking frozen green beans on the stove for about 10 minutes, adding balsamic and salt. I will eat that with Salmon I have cooked in the oven in a pouch of foil for like 20-30 mins (i use frozen salmon too!) with rosemary, maybe some lemon. Salt & pepper. Easy peasy!:)0 -
Just buy fresh produce. I can guarantee the amount of money you spend on Packaged/Processed Food will be more than buying fresh Vegetables, Chicken etc etc.
If you struggle with cooking, then get a WOK.
Chop stuff up, throw it into a Wok, Add some seasoning - Instant Meal.
+1 to this and to the others who have said not to over complicate things.
I know it seems like microwaving is so much easier, but so is rubbing spice on meat, chopping a vegetable, etc. PLUS, there is a big difference in how microwaved food tastes vs. fresh food. You're more likely to fully enjoy and be satisfied from a yummy meal that was made from scratch.
Hell, even home-made mac and cheese is so easy to make. Boil up some macaroni (a whole pound costs $1!), and make the sauce yourself. Milk, butter, flour, and cheese are all staples you can keep to make many meals out of ($6 for all of it + you'll have enough for the equivalent of a week's worth of Kraft Mac n Cheese boxes and whatever else you want to cook).
You don't have to become a gourmet chef, but you can still eat cheap and fairly quickly without having to nuke things with a microwave. Try it!0
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