After 30 long years of my life, I have noticed that I am not much of a cook, and unfortunately so has my husband. I read a recipe and follow directions like a champ, but the whole "throw something together" gene was not inherited by me from my father. He has this uncanny ability to find random things in the refrigerator and combine them for a semi-gourmet meal. He can cook his beloved Arroz con Pollo almost blindfolded and I can only boil water and toss a salad. As a half Italian, half Puerto Rican, it is embarrassing.Now, don't get me wrong, I can make cupcakes from scratch, whip together a frosting without a recipe and bake a souffle, but the entree portion of the meal is just not up to par. The only thing I make without a recipe is garlic chicken cutlets, and I already made them for my parents and they were less than impressed.
And what does "salt and pepper to taste" mean? Why doesn't the recipe just say 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper? Measurements are easier to read and follow. And, I have tried the Cooking for Dummies books and there aren't any pictures. What good is a cookbook without any pictures?
To be honest, I have made a recipe from Giada's cookbook and that came out great, but I haven't really mastered anything at all. My kids are in trouble...
So, I ask: Is there any advice that you received when you started to cook that you could offer up to us young and culinary-challenged? Please comment.
2 comments:
it just comes with practice. Salt and pepper to taste means there might already be enough but you might need need a little more to make it taste better. Like if you're using unsalted butter in a dish yo u probably need to add more salt before it's done. Just keep trying. I don't know how you feel about rachel ray, some people can't stand her, but her cook books are great. I have about five of them. She has one that has a picture of every dish in the book. Her recipes are easy to follow and taste great. Good luck!
Leslie W.
Thanks Leslie. I have a few Rachel Ray cookbooks, but I don't have the one with a photo for every meal. Do you know the name of it?
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