Do you love to eat but don’t cook? You’re not alone. We live in a time when most Americans are fascinated by food and the fewest Americans in history actually cook at home. It’s true. Iron Chef now rivals the likes of Star Trek and Murder She Wrote as one of the most popular television shows since television was invented. Our cultural sophistication about food and cooking equipment is greater than ever, yet despite a surfeit of cookbooks, cooking schools, and The Food Network, an astonishing 19 percent of all meals eaten in America are consumed in a car. As Colette, the feisty cook from the movie Ratatouille might say, “How Could This Happen!?”
Perhaps we’re a bit intimidated.
To quote the wonderful and greatly missed Julia Child, “Cooking is not a particularly difficult art. The more you practice, the more you learn and the more sense it makes. All it requires is practice and experience”-and, if I might add, a good dose of confidence! Here are 10 tips that I hope will bolster your resolve, boost your confidence, and lure you to the kitchen:
1) Get inspired
Whether it’s Emeril or Rachel Ray on the Food Network, or Jacques Pepin on PBS, one-or more-of them can become your mentor. Watching how the pros cook allows you to observe basic techniques and pick up all sorts of cooking tips. It’s a great way to get started.
2) Forget perfection
Cooking should be fun, yet there are far too many aspirant cooks who never make it to the kitchen because they want everything to be perfect. Ponder this: perfection … procrastination … paralysis. Don’t get stuck! Enjoy the journey and realize that in the world of food, “perfect” is in the mouth of the one doing the eating.
3) Conquer your fear
You learned as an infant that you must crawl before you run, so start out by choosing easy recipes with only a few ingredients. Become familiar with-and practice-a few basic techniques and you’re on your way to building a foundation.
4) Get a good basic cookbook
Spend a delightful hour or two browsing the cooking section of your favorite book store and pick one that has recipes that are appealing and easy to read. The Fannie Farmer Cookbook has been my favorite for years, but there are many others to choose from.
5) Stock your kitchen
This is called the “battery de cuisine,” and you should begin to build it with a few good pots and pans, a cutting board, knives, measuring spoons and other “small wares,” such as mixing bowls, a whisk and various types of strainers.
6) Stock your pantry
Staples are basic food items in constant demand in the kitchen and should be readily available. Items such as butter and various oils, fresh eggs, flour, salt, pepper, and sugar fall into, but by no means exhaust, this category.
7) Shop regularly
Frequent visits to the grocery store keeps you better informed as to price and availability of food and are often the best means to decide what you might want to cook.
8) Cook when you’re relaxed
Nothing is worse than panic in the kitchen, so cook on weekends when you aren’t pressed for time.
9) Make the Mise en Place!
If you are a frequent reader of this column, you already know this French culinary term for readiness which literally means “everything in its place.” Simply put, it is without doubt the single most important concept that every cook needs to understand. Read through the entire recipe before you begin cooking and assemble all of the ingredients and equipment you need. Whenever possible, prep whatever you can in advance.
10) Following instructions
The first time you try a recipe, follow the instructions as closely as you can. Changes can be made during subsequent attempts that better fit your taste preferences. Experience will teach you what works and what does not. Once you have mastered a well received recipe, do it over and over again, and it will become part of your very own repertoire.
Bonus tip: Read this column/See a movie
I love to cook and I am fortunate beyond measure to have the opportunity to encourage you to explore the culinary world. As to the movie, if you still have reservations about entering the kitchen, watch Ratatouille. Let’s face it-if a rat can learn how to cook, what’s stopping you?