Learning to Cook

breandscott2010

Let me preface by saying....I can read a recipe like a pro But there ends the extent of my cooking knowledge. I follow many blogs and stalk this message board to learn new recipes and ideas and my shelves are slowly filling with cookbooks. But I need help actually learning to cook. I want to learn what spices produce what types of flavors, what things work well together, different cooking techniques, etc. Does anyone have books they would recommend that provide that type of knowledge?  I know you can learn a lot by just reading recipes and seeing which types of foods are paired together consistently but I am looking for a step up. I am newly married and newly living on my own and would love to learn how to start putting things together to create my own recipes!

 Thank you in advance!!

julie5220

You will learn a TON by watching the chefs on Food Network.  Actually, in chatting with a few chefs, that's been their advice over cooking school.  Ina Garten is fabulous and informative.  

bride2bnVA

I also learned a lot by watching the Food Network. Many do not like her, but I first started watching Rachael Ray b/c her cooking did intimidate me (and it does take longer than 30 minutes to make most of her stuff so don't feel bad). Then I just worked my way up.

blu-eyedwife

Cooking - Alton Brown "I'm Just Here for the Food"

Baking - Alton Brown "I'm (still) Just Here for the Food"

He breaks down recipes by ingredients and explains how each ingredient works in the recipe (and why).  Not so many recipes as much as techniques with different ingredients.

breandscott2010

I LOVE food network!! But when DH and I got married and moved into our apartment we had to say goodbye to cable   Hopefully we can get that back someday. But I will defenitly look into the Alton Brown books.

oneboyonegirl

Check out Tom Colicchio's Think Like a Chef - He breaks down a lot of basic techniques which I found really helpful. And I swear by Evan Goldstein's Perfect Pairings - food and wine will never taste the same! You can also watch a lot of episodes at foodnetwork.com 

 

Have fun! 

kr103185

Hi there,

I know it can be difficult I'd recommend The 4 Hour Chef by Tim Ferris it talk about different cooking techniques, flavors, etc. It helped me a lot.

Would you be interested in a video course that gives you weekly recipes that show you different ways to cook? I've been thinking of helping others out by doing this..

jackisilvan

I definitely agree with the Food Network. They have a great show on Saturday mornings called The Kitchen, it's kind of a talk show style and they go over both beginner and advanced techniques. Rachel Ray's cookbooks were also a great recommendation. My parents bought me a book called Cookwise, which explains the science behind cooking if you are into that kind of thing.

I'd love for you to follow my blog as well: http://twoforksonelove.com/