I know another newb with questions. I really enjoy cooking at home. I can follow a recipe and make some minor tweaks of my own. My big problem is coming up with my own recipes and flavors.
Hi LifeSavin', welcome to ChefTalk!
You will pick up so much by sticking around here and asking questions, in three years you'll be surprised at where your cooking has gone. I'm not really too big on cookbooks, I suppose they're fine...but I learned so much more from eating...and cooking...and eating and asking questions here along the way.
I would suggest you learn what food taste like. Sounds easy right? Start to taste everything and taste it in every state you can think of. Go get green beans and try them raw, then saute a few, boil a few, try some canned green beans straight from the can, now rinse the can and try them. Learn what food tastes like in each state from raw to cooked, using different methods of cooking and different methods of storage/preservation. What does a potato taste like raw? How about raw corn on the cob. Boil it, grill it...buy different varieties and try them side by side.
Learn how to season. Start with salt and pepper. You may not get much of an effect from canned vegetables, but you may be surprised at how well fresh vegetables can taste with a little bit of oil, salt and pepper. What's the right level? What's too much? Don't be afraid to listen to your senses. What levels you like today, you may not like tomorrow. Listen to yourself and continue to try and stay true to the ingredient.
Start off simple. Get to know simple methods of cooking simple food. If you complicate things too much it may become difficult to identify what's working...or what's not working. Ask questions. If you aren't sure how to cook different meat to a temperature consistently get a meat thermometer...and use it. If you want to reach a target temperature pull the meat off of the heat source shortly before it get there, then let it rest. Notice how the temperature comes up a little bit. Once you get to learn your temperatures (and how to get there) you may start to notice how much flavor is actually still in the meat. Buying
chicken on the bone has many advantages such as better flavor, texture and a little protection from overcooking. Learn to season meat properly...don't try to eat
chicken raw to see how it taste.
What kind of food do you like? Ask questions. Where do you live? Find ethnic grocery stores! This will come in handy for meat and produce items (along with dry goods!). Taste the vegetables and compare them to other sources. Why don't many ethnic stores have a large selection of produce in winter...do I want to eat a tomato in winter...taste. Don't over cook your meat! What piece of meat did you just buy and what do you want to do to it? Do you cook a pork shoulder the same as a loin? What do you want to accomplish with one...or the other?
Plant a garden next year. Even if it's just a simple small tomato garden to start...start one. But get some good heirloom varieties that grow well in your area. Ask questions. Taste your new tomatoes side by side with some store bought tomatoes that you normally buy. All varieties don't taste the same. Taste and always re-visit a new variety like it's a whole new vegetable plant.
Surprise yourself and don't be afraid to try new things. You don't always have to feed an army. This is another area where it will be nice to learn how to cook rather than follow a recipe. Grow some of your own herbs next year. Rosemary, chives, basil for starters (or whatever floats your boat). Try the herbs raw, in food. Find a method of learning that inspires and motivates you...what works for me may not work for you.
have fun!
dan
