A
female
age
30-35,
*ada101
writes:Ok I know this doesn't have anything to do with sex,relationship or love but I have to ask sombody...... well im 21 years old and I have a two year old and im preg.... I live with my boyfriend and my two year old. Well we always eat out, because I don't know how to cook I know what some people are going to say how are you 21 and don't know how to cook well I didn't have a mother growing up I used to live in foster homes all my life, teen shelters ext... sometimes I try to cook and it comes out ok but when I go to the food store I don't know what to buy like what spice, I do get rice,chicken beef, ext. But I would like to know what are the 'need to have' to be able to cook somthing.I look online to see what to cook but I have to go to the store almost everytime I cook because I never have the spices that is need so I would like to know what are the everyday spice that you need and easy things to make thanks sorry for asking this but you guys been so helpful with everything I wish I had sombody to ask in person but I feel funny asking them because they always look at me like omg and your 21 Reply to this Question
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reader, anonymous, writes (30 March 2010): If you can read, you can cook its that simple. I was appalling at cooking and when I moved in with my bf at 18 we spent at least a year living on rubbish and still going to family to have proper cooked meals.
You need to ifnd a cook book that doesn't have fancy meals that take a lot of preparation but something with simple wholesome family meals. I have a Jamie Oliver one which is so easy to follow.
Another good thing is packets of pre-mixed spices,there is enough spice in a packet to make one meal and on the back it tells you all the fresh ingredients you need to add and how much to . The company who make these have this website:
Schwartz.co.uk
Then you get an idea of what spices go well together and you can the re-create the dishes from scratch
A
female
reader, SirenaBlusera  +, writes (30 March 2010):
 I'm a bit older than you and I can only make the basics, but I am thinking of learning how to cook well. I can still think of some ideas that might help you:
I bet that your local junior college offers a cooking class. Do you have time to take an enrichment or continuing ed class?
I imagine that cooking is like anything else. If you attempt something complicated as a novice, it could be really frustrating. Start with something simple and keep practicing. Practice makes perfect.
What about asking a friend to help you? Do you have a friend that knows how to cook well?
I know how to make spaghetti, tacos, hamburgers and Chinese food... I mainly eat fruit, which isn't such a bad thing, but I realize that I need to learn the skill of cooking. Thank you CelticTiger, that book sounds right up my alley.
Don't apologize for asking this. That's what Dear Cupid is for, people on this site are here because we want to help.
I'm sorry about your parents, by the way.
Hope this helps...
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female
reader, Not My Name  +, writes (30 March 2010):
 ...oh, and garlic, .. can't forget the garlic, ... I use that in just about everything - love it!
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A
female
reader, Not My Name +, writes (30 March 2010):
Here some staples you will prob use often.
General - salt, pepper, rosmary, sugar, season all, corn flour, stock cubes (in all flavours), mustard, honey.
If you like italian food - olive oil, tomato paste, basil, oregano, bay leaves, parmesan, onions, cooking wine.
If you like chinese - soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoi sin sauce, chilli, sesame oil, honey, sherry, and a couple of mixed spices like Thai seasoning and Chinese 5 spice.
If you like Indian - curry powder, garam masala, tumeric, paprika, plain yoghurt.
You can build on your spices, etc, over time, but these things will get you started on a lot of basic recipe's.
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female
reader, celtic_tiger  +, writes (30 March 2010):
 Firstly, well done on even beginning to start to want to cook! I love cooking, I get great joy out of seeing people gobble up my food lol.
I know you are in America, but in the UK, we have a lady called Delia Smith, who has taught countless generations of people to cook.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Delias-How-Cook-Book-One/dp/0563384301
This literally tells you how to cook, right from boiling an egg, to more advanced skills. It gives basic recipes as well as showing you actually how to physically make it. I know a couple of my male friends were given this when they went to university. I think it saved them from starvation at times! haha :)
All of Delia's books are really good. There is also an online resource with some of the basics and information about ingredients and spices.
http://www.deliaonline.com/home
Store cupboards are things you tend to build up with over time, but it depends what spices you like? I would always have salt, pepper, basil, italian herbs, that sort of thing, but I tend to steer clear of the more indian/spicy spices. Its all down to what you like (and can afford).
THe best way is to get some recipes under your belt that you can cook, staple dishes you can pull out once a week, and then go from there :)
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female
reader, tpf5023 +, writes (30 March 2010):
Try watching the cooking channel sometimes. That 30 minute meals show is always good for learning to make a quick meal that doesn't need too many ingredients.
You could also buy some cookbooks. Here is a great one that your can download instantly.
http://4721dfvdin7rby5qrgzjesam69.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=AGck
Good luck.
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female
reader, TasteofIndia +, writes (30 March 2010):
 You can always look up videos online or start watching the cooking channel. Me and Rachel Ray are like, best friends. Well, not really but me and her recipes certainly are!
http://home.ivillage.com/cleanandorganize/organize/0,,dl,00.html
http://ask.metafilter.com/53886/Good-basic-cooking-ingredients-please
These both have pretty good lists of some basic things you should always keep stocked. If I had to pick some of my most used basic ingredients/spices that I always keep on hand, I'd say: olive oil, basil, cracked black pepper, crushed red pepper, brown sugar, soy sauce, pesto (pre-made), parmesan cheese (along with every other cheese I can get my hands on. I love cheese... except for American. I don't care what they say - that IS NOT CHEESE), minced garlic, curry powder, chicken broth and cooking wine.
Those are spices or flavors that can kick up so many dishes!! But, it all depends on what you and your family like! Get some good cook books and watch some cooking shows. You'll get the hang of it, and you'll see what they are using regularly.
Have fun and good luck!!
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female
reader, EbonyBlossom +, writes (30 March 2010):
 Sometimes things are easy to misunderstand when you're reading them. It would probably be easier to have someone with you who knows what they're doing to teach you the tricks of the trade.
Also you can buy a lot of things half prepared, and all you have to do is stick it in the oven for however long it says on the packet =]
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female
reader, ffogalilly +, writes (29 March 2010):
I would take a cooking class, that's how I learned to cook, and I can cook pretty well.
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