Learning to cook can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. With a little knowledge and guidance, cooking in your home can become more than just a daily chore. Take a look at these cooking tips for beginners to get you started in the kitchen.
Get to know your tools
It may seem obvious to some, but getting to know the tools in the kitchen is a great place to start for beginners. You'll want to feel comfortable handling a knife before you begin trying to carve a turkey.
Get an idea of what each cooking utensil is called and what it's used for. Many utensils can serve double duty, but you should know what its primary use is. It will also help give you an idea of tools that are more commonly used versus tools that are only used for specialty dishes.
Keep this list of utensils in mind when you go shopping for kitchen supplies for your new or current home. This list of essential tools will help you get started in the kitchen:
- Spoons/ladles
- Spatula (metal and rubber) - the metal spatula is for flipping your eggs, and the rubber spatula is for getting the last bit of brownie batter out of the bowl.
- Ladle
- Slotted spoon - it scoops, stirs and strains.
- Tongs - they will become an extension of your hand after just a few uses.
- Whisk
- Cutting utensils
- Chef's knife - opt for a 8 or 9-inch blade with a comfortable handle
- Bread knife or serrated knife - serrated knives are the trick to slicing tomatoes without squishing them first.
- Paring knife - look for one with a 3- to 4-inch blade for making fine cuts like coring tomatoes and peeling.
- Kitchen shears - they can be used for anything from cutting off a piece of string to cutting up a chicken.
- Vegetable peeler
- Box grater - a box grater is the most versatile kind of grater because of it's four different shredding sides.
- Other tools
- Potato masher
- Can opener
- Instant read thermometer
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Colander
TIP: When shopping for knives, choose a knife where the blade extends the full length of the handle. These are called full-tang knives. They are sturdier and can be more comfortable to use.
Start with your favorite recipe
One of the best ways to start cooking is to learn to cook something you love! If
your favorite dish is pot roast with vegetables and mashed potatoes, start with a recipe for that. If you have to start cooking somewhere, you might as well learn to cook something that you will want to eat at the end of the day.
Master one recipe
Once you've learned how to cook your favorite dish, remember that practice makes perfect. Over time you'll be able to recite that recipe from memory and each time you cook it you'll feel more confident in your skills. Once you feel comfortable cooking your favorite meal, you can begin to experiment with it.
Maybe you want to try a different combination of herbs the next time you make it, or maybe you want to add in a different ingredient. After you've cooked your recipe enough times, you'll begin to learn what you really like and don't like when it comes to your favorite meal.
Buy a cookbook
After you've gotten more comfortable in the kitchen and mastered your favorite recipe, exploring other recipes would be your next step. If you're curious about a specific type of cuisine, or you're desperate to try some other recipes with your favorite ingredient, buy a cookbook or do a quick search online for a recipe that you'd like to tackle next.
Preparation is key
Before starting a new recipe, make sure that you have all the ingredients you need ahead of time. If possible, you should also cut, dice and chop anything that you'll be using or measure everything in advance. This step will help you save time once you've started cooking. It will be easier to follow that recipe for cookies if you've got everything measured and ready to go.
Mistakes happen
The best cooking tip is to remember that mistakes happen and recipes don't always come out right. Maybe you added a bit too much salt or your chicken is a little dry. What's important to remember is that with each recipe or technique you try, you're learning and adding to your own skill set.
If you do run into problems while you're cooking, an online search will help you find a solution for your problem because someone else has probably been in your shoes.
If you've become a master chef and are moving to a home with your dream kitchen, be sure to come to Movers.com for
free moving quotes (you can use your new cooking skills to tip your friends, family and maybe even your movers at the end of the day!).