So, you want to learn how to navigate the kitchen and get cooking/baking? A noble endeavor, and a wise choice of skill to learn, because as growing young adults (or current adults – no judgement!), we will have to cook for ourselves soon. This lesson will help guide you through the basics of learning and practice!
Firstly, always stay in the know about your equipment. What pots do you have? Pans? Do you have a blender or the right attachments for a mixer? It’s okay if you’re only now getting acquainted with your kitchen’s tools; we’ve all been there, and the sooner you get on it, the better. It takes time to understand the differences between a saucepan and a simple pot, but it makes a world of difference in some cases. You’ll hear this a lot in this lesson, but the best way to learn is practice, and that goes for cooking, too. Pay attention as you cook different things with different equipment; what feels different between different pots and spoons? One pot may be just too small for what you’re making, another might be too big, leading to an awkward heat distribution.
On the note of heat – don’t be overly afraid! Don’t let a fear of burning yourself on the oven rack prevent you from baking something. Don’t skip kitchen safety, resulting in a burn because you didn’t wear oven mitts. This goes for all equipment and techniques that could result in harm. A little inconvenience is preferable to an injury.
Now that the PSA is over, we can get to the actual cooking! Practice and study are as important for cooking as any other skill, so make sure to try recipes you are interested in! Have something in mind? Perfect, look up the dish plus “recipe” to find an abundance of already formed recipes online. Have no clue? Start with some ingredients you have or flavors you’re craving. Click on “recipe,” to get ideas while finding foods you like. Once you find a few, make them! The only way to get the hang of cooking is to actually cook. Over time and through many recipes, you’ll start learning what ratios of spices work, what ingredients work with what, and new techniques. You’ll be coming up with your own in no time.
