Cooking is a great skill to obtain. You can prepare yourself delicious and nutritious meals, save some money, and impress your loved ones. However, many people don’t know where to start. If you want to learn how to cook like Ramsay or at least get solid fundamentals, keep reading this article to know where to start!
Table of Contents
Check The Equipment in Your Kitchen
Before you embark on a cooking learning adventure, make sure that you have everything you need. Verify if you have basic kitchen equipment. You need pots and pans in various sizes, one chef’s knife and a paring knife, cutting boards, mixing bowls, utensils (spatula, ladle, etc.), baking sheets and forms, measuring cups, and spoons. If you want to become a cooking pro, invest in a cooking thermometer.
Learn More About Knives
Many people ignore the importance of knife skills in the process of cooking. However, they are crucial. You can start with basic techniques such as chopping, dicing, and slicing. Always make sure that your knives are sharp. They are safer to use and much easier to maneuver. If you have some spare money, a good-quality chef’s knife is a great investment. Regularly sharpen your knives.
Understand And Explore Cooking Methods
Frying, boiling, baking, grilling, sauteing – there are various cooking methods. Learn what connects them and what is different. Experiment with them all to find your favorite and master at least two of them. If you want to prepare your meals properly, learn more about cooking times and temperatures.
Start With Something Simple
If you are a total beginner, start from the complete basics. A recipe of your choice shouldn’t require advanced cooking techniques and many ingredients. You can use a cookbook with “easy” tags or search on the internet for recipes for beginners. Some of the meals you can cook first are scrambled eggs, grilled cheese sandwiches, rice, quinoa, and roasted vegetables. Notice that all of them can be the basis for more elaborate meals. With time and practice, you can slowly work your way up to more complex dishes.
Follow Recipes And Analyze Them
As a beginner, try to follow the recipes as much as possible. You might not yet have a sense which allows you to add or take away some ingredients from the recipe. Pay attention to portions, measurements, cooking times, and other specific instructions. Precision and attention to detail are skills that can be very handy if you want to become a good cook.
Start Experimenting And Learn From Mistakes
After learning the basics and analyzing recipes, you can start experimenting. Use your knowledge to figure out what can work and what not. Meanwhile, don’t be scared to make some mistakes. The secret is even the most experienced chefs have mishaps, especially when they are trying to create a new dish. Learn from your errors to improve your skills.
Stay Safe
While cooking, don’t forget about safety measurements. Learn how to store and handle food, especially raw meat, seafood, and other animal-derived products. It’s very important in order to prevent foodborne illnesses.
