Learning to cook

[soooexcited!]

I have a bit of a thing for cook books. Got lots of Nigella books for puddings mostly jamie Oliver for some mains and love my Nigel Slater Appetite book for a bit of everything. Don't be put off by reading a recipe. Stock up your store cupboard on things you might need like spices oils herbs etc. See what takes your fancy and have a go. I tend to stick to recipes rather than ad lib when I go off at a tangent it goes wrong. Baking you can't beat the Hummingbird cake days book. I'm at my happiest baking and feeding people 😂

[wanye]

if you can find a copy, watch GOOD EATS with alton brown. was on food network in the US between 1999 and 2011. he is currently re-doing some of the episodes (good eats: reloaded) with updated recipes/techniques/equipment, and a whole new series will start in the new year. you may or may not find stuff on youtube, or on the food network website (via a vpn)

alton is my cooking hero. he's very much about the science of it all. kinda like heston, but with practical, easy to follow recipes using (mostly) normal equipment. I've learned so much from him in the last 10 years (since i discovered the show) compared to pretty much every other chef on tv.

yes, a lot of the recipes are very american, but a lot of the methods and recipes translate just as well to a UK audience

*edit*
i found the steak episode of good eats: reloaded on dailymotion. go watch!

dailymotion/video/x6vixk3

(and then go find all the older episodes)

[BarrettFamily]

Delia Smiths complete illustrated cookery book. It has been my go to book for basic skills since I got married 28 years ago.

[Jakey Neverland]

Apart from my daughters baking everything is naturally low fat and I use a lot of beans/pulses.

[MsMinervaMouse]

Just a couple of simple tips - Always always always TASTE your dish as you go along. Season slowly, as you can always add more but you can't take away. And it's very difficult to mess up a bolognese! Good luck