Post: #1

If you had to recommend a good cookbook to learn the basics, which would you advise?

I know how to cook some easy things like make a steak with some vegetables and a baked potato, that's pretty simple, but I don't really have any creative dishes to step it up to the next level. I'm looking to get that skill handled.

Post: #2

Have you ever thought of advertising it on your local community (using craiglist for example). Last time i advertised on it and someone came to teach me new dishes, it was a good experience, its good to know that some people out there just want to help other people without gaining anything back and i bet you will find those people on that site, check out craiglist if you are in the USA at the moment.

Post: #3

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Post: #4

Check out the Alton Brown series on the Food Network. He's really good at explaining a lot of things. His recipes are also online.

As for good dishes to try making, I recently made Ratatouille and it was really good!

Post: #5

I just got a magazine subscription to Cook's Illustrated. It's like $20 for a year. They have an online one too but for some things I like having a physical copy and cooking is one. Also you can leave copies around as a conversation starter with women. I've yet to find a woman that isn't impressed by a man knowing how to cook.

It's very detailed and thorough and the recipes are really good. They cover how to make the best of very simple staple dishes but also more exotic dishes. They also have no-bullshit equipment reviews and techniques.

http://www.cooksillustrated.com/

Post: #6

buy a Asian fusion cookbook. Easy to cook and tasty

Post: #7

Forget the cookbooks, just experiment in the kitchen. My fave dish to cook is salmon, add spices, wrap in foil and cook in the oven for 25 minutes. Then you can cook a fancy rice dish by adding peas or cook the rice with frozen veggies that come in the bag. Do you like sweet potato? Just put in the oven for an hour and your good.

Girls will dig it, trust me.

Post: #8

http://whatthefuckshouldimakefordinner.com/

Post: #9

(02-21-2011 01:13 AM)speakeasy Wrote:  If you had to recommend a good cookbook to learn the basics, which would you advise?

I know how to cook some easy things like make a steak with some vegetables and a baked potato, that's pretty simple, but I don't really have any creative dishes to step it up to the next level. I'm looking to get that skill handled.

By far the best cookbook I've come across. Not only does it give you step-by-step directions, but also all the recipes were tested in their "test kitchen" so they're basically foolproof. You can learn a lot from this one.

Post: #10

Try some of the Jamie Oliver books.

I liked "Ministry of Food"

Post: #11

record some cooking shows, try the recipes out of yourself, there's no better way to learn how to cook than by watching someone do it and trying it for yourself. take notes as you're watching.

Post: #12

I personally love some of Gordon Ramsay's video recipes:

Post: #13

I cook to help keep my macros up.

Here are some basic tips:

1. Get good ingredients.
2. To make any food taste amazing add the following:
Butter, olive oil, lard, garlic, and gratuitous use of spices.
3. Learn to use your gut when adding spices. Never measure out amounts. When baking however always measure out exact quantities.

Good recipes online are hard to find. Stick to food network and food & wine for good recipes.

Post: #14

Gordon Ramsay for the win.

Post: #15

How to Cook Everything - Mark Bittman

Post: #16

This is a great one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wann%C3%A9e_Kookboek

Post: #17

This is a great one, still in print but Dutch:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wann%C3%A9e_Kookboek

"The cookbook was originally written as a text book on cooking for the Amsterdam Domestic Science Academy. Here, girls were trained (boys were not allowed) as housekeepers or maids, or prepared for their traditional role as a housewife"

As it is continually adapted to the latest findings of nutritional science and to the changing tastes of the times, the book remained in high demand for generations. Due to Amsterdam’s colonial trading history (Dutch East India Company), the Amsterdam Cookbook favours well-seasoned dishes.