We often see culinary shows, recipe videos, or cooking “hacks” online. They all look so straightforward, but once you try them, you often end up unsatisfied with the result. The truth is that one doesn’t usually need fancy equipment or complicated techniques we see on the Internet to prepare a delicious home-cooked meal.
Do you want to learn how to cook like a chef in your own kitchen? Then you’re in luck! You can find useful secrets and expert tips inside this article. Some good advice and tons of practice will help you build up your skill and astonish your friends and family with your culinary craft in no time!
Cooking Advice for Beginners
If you only attempt learning how to cook at home, take it slow and start with non-intimidating recipes. Get the basics under your belt first, and only then try more elaborate dishes and techniques. Here are some crucial tips every novice home cook must know.
1. Stock up on basic ingredients.
Often we don’t cook at home because we lack necessary components. If you want to start preparing food regularly and get better at it, always keep some core ingredients on hand. Your own list of such items will of course depend on your dietary preferences, but in general, you should have things like eggs, flour, milk, cheese, vegetables, meat/fish, or their substitutes. This way, you will always be able to whip something up.
2. Get a starter set of high-quality culinary tools.
You really don’t need much to start preparing food at home, but some basic tools will be useful. Newbie cooks will need to buy measuring cup and spoons, a knife set, cutting board, pot, saucepan, skillet, baking dish, as well as some other tools you already likely have in your kitchen. You can do most things with simple tools – you’ll just need some elbow grease!
3. Start simple.
Save that eclair or meringue recipe for later – it’s important to start slow and simple if you’re just learning to cook. It’s easy to get discouraged if you can’t nail a recipe, so don’t attempt making very labor-intensive or overly complicated dishes.
4. Cook what you actually like.
Many people choose the dishes to make based on their skill level or ingredients they have. Others don’t cook for themselves but rather for a person they wish to be, choosing dishes they don’t even like. While those broccoli tartlets do sound fun, it’s better to make something that you can’t wait to eat – it’s the only way you’ll keep preparing food for yourself and not just return to your trusty takeout.
5. Cook regularly.
Like with every other habit, consistency is the key if you wish to assimilate a new activity into your existing routine. Make it a rule to cook daily. Recipes you choose should be simple and fast to assemble.
6. Utilize spices, herbs, condiments.
If the dish doesn’t taste good, it’s a good chance it’s simply undersalted or lacking seasonings. Assemble a set of dried herbs and spices for yourself. Our top picks that taste great are smoked paprika, garlic, onion powder, lemon pepper, chili flakes, cayenne pepper. Condiments like soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, the balsamic glaze will also instantly elevate your cooking.
7. Build your own recipe book.
Cooking is a creative process, but it also requires precision. Once you find the recipe that you like and can successfully make – keep it so you don’t have to eyeball the ingredients every time you cook and improve your chances of success. Start saving your favorite recipes, revisit them on occasion – this way you will always have some full-proof dishes to fall back on.
8. Research what ingredients go well together.
Cooking allows us to mix and match ingredients, but there are time-tested pairings that simply cannot be beaten. Good examples are chicken and citrus, red meat and wine, cheese and pear, etc.
9. Try different cooking methods.
Once you get familiar with boiling and baking, try other cooking methods such as caramelization, steaming, or stir-frying. There are many ways to prepare food that help yield delectable results.
10. Find culinary channels and blogs you enjoy.
Sometimes we don’t feel very creative, and can’t find the motivation to cook. Thankfully, there are countless culinary channels, blogs, and social media posts online that can help us discover new dishes, learn pro tips, and get pumped for a new cooking adventure. Some cooking shows got so popular that they were translated into multiple languages. Those who need top translation hire specialists who can do it right.
11. Don’t be discouraged by culinary mishaps – they are inevitable.
Everyone makes mistakes – beginners most of all. Expect to waste some ingredients, burn kitchenware, and completely spoil some recipes – it’s all part of learning!
12. Get creative.
Cooking is a form of art – it’s a perfect way of expressing yourself, exploring your own tastes, and challenging the dogmas of traditional cooking. Don’t be hesitant to try fun ingredient combinations or extravagant recipes – the result can be awesome!
Time To Put Your Chef’s Hat On
You needn’t complete a cooking course to excel at home cooking. As long as you pick quality ingredients, don’t forget about seasoning, and don’t be afraid of experimentation and an occasional failure, you can eventually become a master chef without leaving your kitchen. Leave all doubts aside and start your journey into the culinary world today!
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