A Few Questions for Our Amazing CC Cooks. :)

Hi Everyone,

I wasn't sure where to put this thread, but I wanted to ask some advice from people here who cook regularly.

I've experimented with cooking in the past, but have wandered far from it due to a hectic work schedule. I would like to get myself back in the kitchen, and hope to commit to trying a couple of new recipes each month.

However, I must admit to being totally overwhelmed and not sure where to start.

* Where would you direct a beginning cook? I'm interested in fixing fairly quick, low-to-moderate cost meals for a healthy lunch or dinner. I am totally intimidated by all the blogs, videos, and overwhelming number of places where one can find recipes. How,or where, do I even begin?

* Another problem I have run into in the past is that several of the recipes I tried were things I "kind of" liked, but... There was always some kind of "but" (and not just mine on the verge of expanding)--"I like this, but... it doesn't have enough flavor." "This is ok, but... I wasn't crazy about that particular spice combination."

And so, I never knew if it was worth it to make the recipe several more times in order to "tweak" it, or if I should have just started over and looked for a new recipe without those ingredients.

* How do you know when it's better to keep experimenting with one recipe or to just try to look for another one altogether?

I might have a few more questions along the journey, but I greatly appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience with a novice, wanna-be cook.

Many thanks and happy spoonfuls in advance!

Hmmm....I don't know if I qualify as a cook, but I do cook!

I'm sure there a lot of ways to direct a cook...but in my opinion, I would start with the simple meals. there are a lot of cookbooks out there for beginners and they help you out as you find your way in cooking. Experimentation is definitely a yes! I love to experiment when I cook. Something special always come out after a couple of trials, of course. And, wallah! You have your own unique recipes.

Before I say anything else, have you tried following recipes from a cookbook?

I wish my mum was here to contribute to this...she would be of great help!

One word.... Youtube.

Mmmmm that's soooo yummmmyyyy!!! What is that?

Cook rice while that is cooking i start frying hamburger meat and veggies (tomatoes, zucchini, onions,garlic,...) and when everything is doneI add the rice into the pan.
Then i just add tomatoe paste and some herbs.
Healthy and easy. Often i dontuse any meat wizh it or take potatoes...

It's chicken parmesan. One of my favorite dishes! It's basically just breaded chicken breast filet with tomato sauce and parmesan cheese on top. It's often served on top of spaghetti like this.... (it's an italian dish )

It's sooooo good! I have to cook it some time....ohhh myyy gosh.....

I cheat. I just use frozen breaded chicken breast tenderloins or fillets from Costco.

Here's Emeril (he's a world famous chef) showing how easy it is to make.