Whats the best way to learn to cook?

I really just learned to cook on my own. I felt like that was the easiest way for me. I never took any classes, but I just started trying out different recipes, and I found that it really is not difficult to just follow the instructions on most recipes. Then, if I didn't understand something in a recipe, then I would just ask my mom, and she could usually explain it or show it to me. That way worked really well for me, because I could take my time and kind of experiment also, which made it more fun! Anyway, I think you could probably just search for simple recipes online and experiment on your own. Cooking shows could be ok too, but sometimes they make complicated things, so it could possibly get comfusing. I'm not sure if I was much help, but good luck with learning and have fun!

I am 45 years old and could never cook very well. My boyfriend and I have started watching the food network a lot. I listen to a lot of the tips that they give and it really does help a lot. I think that you first need to find confidence in yourself to do it well. My favorite shows that give me the best ideas are Throw Down with Bobby Flay, Thirty minute meals with Rachel Ray, Paula's Party (Paula Deen). There are many other shows that I watch on the channel but these are the ones with the down to Earth real people kind of feel to them.

stargirl, you have gotten lots of responses and lots of good advice here. I love to cook, (even had my own cafe for a while), but cooking is like anything else one decides to take up. Invest in basic equipment and supplies. Nothing is more frustrating than finding out you have to purchase most of the supplies and ingredients if you want to try a recipe---kinda takes the wind out of your sails, ya know? If you have the basics, you can add an item or two as time, money and inspiration allows, because over time you will figure out what things to bring into your kitchen that will be most useful to you and your style of cooking. Please forgive me if the following seems too simple, but I only mention it because you would be surprised at how many of my friends have asked me to help them in their kitchens and I've found them using a coffe cup to measure with etc, yikes!To begin, no aspiring cook should be without: measuring spoons liquid and dry measuring cups, (yes, there's a difference) stirring spoon (one that won't damage nonstick surfaces) set of mixing bowls at least two good knives- one small for paring, one large for chopping. basic set of cookware, including on large pot for soups and sauces a couple of casserole dishes- one large one smaller. a cutting board is a good idea too. a spatula a rubber spatula a colander one basic cookbook with the above basics, you should be able to manage most recipes. Keeping a basic pantry is important too, (you know, flour, sugar, basic spices. Rice, pasta, etc. Watching cooking shows is a great way to learn, but can be a bit overwhelming for the beginner. I recommend choosing a recipe that you loved to eat when mom, gramma or a friend made it. Stick to the recipe the first time you make it. After you try a recipe the first time, you can make it your own by adding ingredients, subtracting ingredients, or adjusting in some way to suit your taste. I started my teaching my son and two daughters how to cook with their favorite casserole. It's called "Chopstick Tuna". It's easy and delicious. They were each successful and have gone on to become fine cooks, one and all. I send smiles and wishes for much success!Oh, and if the chopstick tuna recipe would interest you, let me know. I'll post it for you. smiles again, ink

Stay to the kitchen and observe your mom/dad how they cook, its good for you to start up basic recipe because its better to take actual experience than to take theories how to cook. Its somehow strange a little for you at first but you'll learn and surely you'll enjoy cooking.

Though, I learned at an early age how to cook with my mother, though it was enough to get me by, but it wasn't much. When I left for college in another state, I had to figure out how i was gonna get by, so I started by trail and error. I gathered recipes from my mom while home on break, and took them back with me and tried them. I taught myself what I know now. I now can threw things together in a heartbeat with out reicpes or measuring cups, and spoons. But you have to believe in yourself and be willing to try to new things, and eat what you cook. If you don't like it, then you'll know for the next time. There are still times when I think, gosh this could have been better if I'd put this in it. Experiment with things. I cook alot of from scratch things, which taste so much better than store bought things. I cook anywhere from 1 to 3 times a day, depending what is going on with our family that day, and it's good to know I can do that for my family. Just try, and if you dont succeed, try again. Best of luck!

I was much older than 23 when I started cooking, because I had lived in apartments with other 20 somethings, and the only thing we ate was take out. My mother was always a really good cook, though, and when I turned about 26, I started experimenting more in the kitchen. Now I write recipes online for extra income! Once you catch the cooking bug, you will never turn away from making it yourself as opposed to take out! I think watching cooking show is a really good place to start for ideas and techniques. Rachel Ray is a really good choice for a beginner, because she also gives you a lot of cooking hints and techniques that will help you if you pick up a cookbook and try a recipe. That's another really good idea for a beginner cook. Pick up a slow-cooker book or a book on just how to cook chicken, and once you strat cooking those things, you will learn quickly! Good luck, and have a great day!

I watch my family sometimes but what I found is looking on the internet for easy recipes that is a good start to learn to cook. I am still learning. I like baking meals and slow cooking my meals.

The best way to to learn how to cook is to watch the person who is cooking, providing the person can cook, because this is the way I learnt how to cook. Actually I learnt to cook from my mother who was an excellent cook. For years I use to watch how my mother prepare food and that is how I was able to cook. It is much easier that way, instead of somebody telling you how to prepare the food. Reading receipes and actaully seeing the food being prepared is much better.

hi there. I love to cook also. and nothing can excite me more than watching different cooking tv shows. I think this can help a lot 'coz you can get tips and advice from well known chefs around the world. I also watch from cable tv where there are lots of cooking shows. I can recommend to you videojug.com you can watch cooking demonstrations there, lot to choose from. Try also to read some magazines about cooking and always remember the different tips they give for cooking. I hope It can help. happy mylotting!!!!

i think the best way is to watch your mom cooking....or any one who cooks in your family.......when we watch them cook everyday, we learn the basics easily. once you get the basics, you can try experimenting with the recipes that are shown in the TV or those you read in magazines. have a nice day

I have watched my mom cook so many different things while growing up that now at the age of 23 im a really good cook. We watch the cooking channels to get new ideas and always read new recipes to see waht else we can cook. Also you can see on you tube what others do as well and that might help you out. If you can do over to someones house while they are making dinner and they might be able to show you exactly what they are doing so maybe you can do it next time. Enjoy

Watching the Food Network is a good place to start. I learned to cook from watching my mom. Watching for me is the best way to learn how to cook cause I can see how the food is suppose to look.(although your food will rarly look as perfect as the food on the Food Network, lol) I would start with some very simple receipes and then once you get confident you can work your way up.

well my opininon is how to cook is from the best 0erson in ure family just keep watching and u get the hang of it even though if u dont get it jujst ask for help or keep watchin or just keep tring cuse it all depends on wat ure tring to learn to cook i am still le3arning and u can also take cooking classes that can be fun or like i said a miillion or thousand trimes justg keep tringor keep watching the best family member or whoe3ver u live wit

i think be a good cooker must depend on talent, i also don't cook well today, i am 22, i can cook ,but it's not delicious. hehe..everyday i learn cooking from my mother ,but which she cooked is very delicious...i think i can't get the tips!! happy mylotting!

Cooking is very simple.In Veg and Non Veg both there are some particular ingredients which you have to remember.Thats it!! and then go on adding things form your mind but ofcourse related to that.If first time you couldn'd make it perfect,second time i am sure you will make the best.Practice makes people expert.No need to watch cookery shows and join classes for it.A female has this quality gifted by God at the time of birth.So go ahead with confidence and win the kitchen.

Just try to experiment with the food and you can learn it.. be carefull dont try first see some body whom you hate,,,,,

I think the best way to learn cooking is self learning and ask people when you want to know something. I sed to always watching my mom cooking, when I want to know something then I asked her. I do a lot of experiment by myself and I like to look up differnet recipe on the internet. I suggest you can find some easy recipe to try first then slowly go up higher level(I more difficult cooking) ;-)

Learn it from a family member, friend or cooking class. Watching cooking on TV and trying that is not as simple as it seems. Usually in a cooking show the chef tells you the ingredients and the steps. But a family member will will also tell you at what flame the food should be cooked, when the flame should be incresed or decresed, which vessel would be suited for a particular dish, at what point should the next ingredient be added etc. Avoid learning to cook by yourself. My friend once tried frying Jack fruit seed and the seed caused the oil to burst on to her face. After learning the basics and understanding how to cook you can try it yourself or try recipies from TV shows.

Experience and trial and error. And someone who has been cooking a long time. The tv is not good, it never works right. I would just start finding some things you have always wanted to make (probably baking is easier to begin learning) and go for it. When something doesn't go right then look into that specific problem and see what you can do better next time and good luck have fun!

Hope this is not seen as advert, but in my case i tryed to learn when i was 21, but not really worked. Recently though i bought that Cook game for Nintendo DS, I thought it would be a joke, but it was actully really good! It shows you 100's of items from diffrent countrys or from main ingerident which is cool Shows all the preperations, methods, hints, cooking, and serving with helpful videos and guidance.. Iv made lots from there and been very happy every time! Down side is you'd be surprised how much some of these dishes cost inc herbs and spices ect, but i guess its gonna be cheaper 2nd time you make that dish. I found it found to load up at work in lunch, see what i wanted to make, get the fresh ingredents on way home, and then cook it up. Just make sure you check in the game which utensils and any odd things u might need. Good Luck!