Between newspapers, websites, magazines, and TV – look at the success of the Food Network alone – an astounding number of people want to become better cooks.
Whether cooking for yourself or your family, becoming a better cook seems to be a common goal. And why not? Not much is as satisfying as putting together an easy cooking, tasty meal, and then savoring it.
But if you are starting down the path towards becoming a cooking pro, where do you begin? The number of resources out there is mind-boggling.
Take cookbooks alone. Publishers sold just under 18 million copies in 2018, and the numbers keep going up year after year.
So for all of those beginning cooks out there, here are a few easy recipes and techniques to master. Bon appetit!
Dressings and Vinaigrettes
Mastering a simple oil and vinegar vinaigrette for the beginner cook is the first step in making other dressings. Made-from-scratch sauces and dressings can turn good food into great food.
The vinaigrette ratio is three parts oil and one part vinegar. And it works with any oil or vinegar. Slight adjustments, vinegar comes in many strengths and flavors, can come later.
Oil and vinegar in a screw-top jar, add a little salt and pepper, shake vigorously, and you have a vinaigrette.
You’ll find plenty of variations wherever you get your food recipes.
Ratatouille: Practice Makes Perfect
Learning how to cook and chop vegetables correctly and then sauté them on the stovetop is another essential skill. Ratatouille is a great way to start.
A French dish, Ratatouille uses chopped onions, garlic, sweet peppers, eggplant, and zucchini. Chop, lightly season, and sauté.
And it only takes 35 minutes from start to finish. It’s that simple. Fresh veggies from your garden or the store make all the difference.
Roast a Chicken
There is nothing better than a perfectly roasted whole chicken (and it makes the house smell great, too!). Crispy skin, moist, flavorful meat – roast chicken is a simple, tasty main course.
Mastering this dish gives you a once-a-week mainstay while you are learning other valuable basics. And, of course, you can make a delicious and quick pan gravy with the drippings. Mmmm!
Grilled Steak
Whether you grill or use the broiler, learning how to cook the perfect strip steak is another essential skill. Top it off with compound butter, another basic, and you’ve got a great centerpiece.
Here are a few tips. First, let the steak come to room temperature and trim off any fat. Start by preheating the grill or broiler. You want hot! Brush the steaks with butter and season with plenty of salt. Kosher is best.
Three to four minutes per side will do it. Then, cover with foil and let the steak rest for five minutes to complete the process.
Easy Cooking is Simple
Mastering a few basic techniques and recipes is the first step in becoming a great cook. Master chopping, blending, sautéing, roasting, and grilling and, you are well on the way!
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