Learning to cook

[Soph20]

How did you all learn to cook?

I'm 20 and really want to be a good cook so I can cook nice things for my man (when I get him) but its not like the old days is it where your mum teaches you? Well my mum didn't anyway.

I've got a recipe book but I sometimes wish someone could show me.

[Lakitu]

Does your local college have a course, usually called an introduction to cooking or similar. Failing that, can you ask someone you know to be a competent cook to teach you?

To be honest with you, at your age I couldn't cook either (neither can my mum!), after all these years I'm very competent and it's mostly through trial and error, I've had dishes turn out a real shambles but the majority of the time, knew where I went wrong.

You always have us to call upon if you have any questions, even if you think it's a silly question, just go ahead and ask because there was a time when we didn't know the answer either x

[garner]

Hi Soph20 I think it is question of flair.My mother was a good cook and baker, I have no interest at all but my daughter is a wonderful cook she must take after my mum.If it's a must for you why not try your local night school they do courses in cookery,I think if you are interested that is half of the battle and you will soon pick it up.There is some good cookery books, thats another route you could go by.Good luck and happy cooking..g.

[Brooksy]

You can do a lot worse than treating yourself to the "Good Housekeeping Cookery Book" or "Leith`s Cookery Bible". Amazon or charity shops are sources for these which will guide you lots of culinary matters. As for the hands on stuff, timing is everything!

[mccfluff]

delia's great but go for the college course if you can, if you can get someone to show you the basics, then lots of experimentation!

[puddicat]

Not from my mother she is crap! she used to say her mother was a great cook, but all i can remember when i visited my gran which was rarely was this nuclear cabbage,it was bright green and soggy, realised later that she was putting in bicarb of soda! my mum would make rice pudding with a consistency of a exploded mattress, and soup that looked fantastic but had no seasoning, i have 2 sisters and we all are fantastic cooks, maybe it came from my dads side sadly he died young, have always been passionate about food been trained as a chef, dont work as one now but still keep my hand in, my latest is tabbouleh from the lebanon fantastic!!!!

[mrrobbo15]

i know this sounds silly but get a cooking for kids book.

they are easier to follow and will give u confidence

...good luck and just have a go !!

[warpig3]

As has been said, it is trial and error, but with more experience you will become more confident. I swear by Delia Smiths 'Complete Cookery Course' (although I am not a fan of hers), it covers a multitude of recipies and as you cook more you will learn what goes with what, and what doesnt go with what! Then you can experiment and adapt recipies to suit yourself.

[theonlyone]

Buy a slow cooker ..and a good basic
cook book ...ask in the butchers how
to cook it ...do the same in the supermarket
with an older person ..they will put you on
track ....

[Eve]

My mum taught me to cook and bake from a very early age.

It's all practice, stick to simple recipes at first til you're comfortable then try without the recipe then experiment and add your own flavours and such.

Don't run before you can walk.

Try different herbs and spices, either buy a load of cheaper ones, stock cubes, sauces like worcester at first to try or go to a place that sells fresh or dried herbs out of jars or similar so they can give you advise and let you taste and smell them.

Or grow some of your own and learn what goes well with what.

Can you record cookery programmes and watch them or do a search on youtube?

Maybe you could try a cookery course of evening class or get a friend round and cook together and have a laugh at the same time, I've taught some friends of mine some bits.

[nabob]

You obviously have an interest in food and I hope that you will have the confidence to try any recipe that you fancy. I love cooking I cook for a living and still love it!!! My advice would be to experiment. Go out for a meal and then go home and try to recreate it! It is easier than you think. Use good quality ingredients and if you feel that something hasn't worked out quite right then try again, it won't cost a lot really. Believe in yourself and why not try working your way through a recipe book (starters, main course and desserts and baking etc...) Things that you might think hard eg knead bread, make fresh pasta sauces are theraputic, just Concentrate. Enjoy!

[fabemmy]

I am 20 years old as well and I learned myself to cook. I just experimented with ingredients and make my own creations. I can now make anything from a cake to a roast dinner. its worth learning

[taichiperson]

I went to a girl's school that taught cookery, and although I hated the teacher (or she hated me!) and rarely shone, it stood me in good stead. My Mum was famous for her 'three hours cabbage' - an exageration, but she boiled every vegetable to a soggy tasteless mess and protein tended to come from the freezer section of the supermarket in packets. Good old Bird's Eye! I can cook competantly but often don't have the time.
I sent my son on a short course called 'Cooking for University', he never went to Uni and came back with a few eclairs!! Luckily he got a job in a cafe bar and can prepare veges and salad and cook an omlette.

[Soph20]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies! I have got Delia's complete cookery course so I think I will just try working through that. I did make a lamb ragout from it a little while ago and followed the recipe to a t but in my opinion it tasted bland and the liquid in it was very fatty. Delia says how to strain the fat off but I found that quite tricky.

My ex bf (there is an age gap), he was a great cook - used to make curry, omelette, roasts and even his own burgers - well he tried to show me some things but that got on my nerves a bit cus it felt like he was being really bossy and controlling. Still wish I kinda took more notice though now!

Thanks a lot everyone! xxx

[Lakitu]

Was it the juice of the lamb you were using, that is a very fatty meat.

Remember just to ask if you are stuck with anything x

[Soph20]

No I didn't use the juice of the lamb as stock, I think it said milk or water plus some herb for stock but then the lamb was cooked in it and the fat came out of it.

[warpig3]

Aw sophie, persevere, you will get there in the end if the interest is there. I remember thinking (a long time ago) that same coloured foods would go together! Dont know where I got that notion from but be assured it doesnt work, ever tried a sweetcorn omelette????? I wouldn't recommend it :-o)

[alisonalison]

why dont you ask friends or workmates, its a good way to socialise as well,, my gran and mum both showed me, now i,m showing my 2 daughters and have even helped workmates out, there are also brill recipees online once you start you,ll not stop,
have fun

[alicebear87]

Get a student cook book because they usually explain how to do all the really basic things that you need for the more complicated dishes. But really it is just trial and error!