I wasn’t raised to be an awesome cook. Don’t get me wrong, my mom is a damn good cook. When I was younger I didn’t do much of the cooking, my mom did. But she did have me help her and we always did a baking project for 4-H. I am still a crappy baker because it’s hard to fix baking once you mess it up.
Either way, doing a 4-H baking project as a kid taught me the basics that I use every time I am in the kitchen. The first thing is learning to read a recipe. If you don’t know how to read a recipe you won’t be able to learn and enjoy cooking and baking! Rather than give you a lesson on here check out this article written on About.com.
Reading a recipe is an important part to cooking!
When learning there are tools that really help you to get into the know how about cooking. The first thing is my Betty Crocker original cookbook. It’s a reproduction that was given to use as a wedding gift. I use it all the time. It has pictures and teaches you basic techniques for cooking and baking.
Now, my most used tool is a Better Homes and Gardens Secrets Magazine. This magazine is amazing. This special release of the magazine features chefs. It explains why certain things go wrong while you are baking and cooking. Then it explains how to get the ideal version of whatever it is you are making. For example, depending on whether you want thin, crispy cookies or soft, lofty cookies it tells you what you need to do to get the perfect cookies.
The Cook’s Secrets Magazine from Better Homes and Gardens starts with basic knowledge like knowing the different types of salt and how they should be used!
The last place I learned a great deal from is watching cooking shows! I learned a lot from watching Food Network. While you are watching it you might not feel like you are picking a lot up, but in reality you pick up little tidbits all the time. I have found by watching someone do something often enough makes me feel more comfortable when I try it later. Most of the ways I have amped up my Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe has come from different Food Network Shows I watched and picked up little tips.
The next time you are overwhelmed with trying to cook a recipe for your family, just remember we all started where you are! Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and don’t be afraid to use these materials I talked about.
I am going to have to check this out. I really want to read the fine print on which salt to use in which situations.
http://www.crystalcattle.com
I actually just started seeing the magazine on store shelves again! Watch for it. I honestly used to use whatever salt was closest but now I am more conscious of which one I use.