Can you cook?

[kage69]

I've been known to dabble in the kitchen arts...

 

[Brainonska511]

Probably say intermediate. When I feel like putting in the time, I can make something really tasty. I made sweedish meatballs last night.

Usually I'd say I cook at a beginner level though, just out of laziness and time constraints. (Ie: stick frozen chicken in oven with bbq sauce on it). Some of my recipes for more elaborate stuff requires prep the night before or just takes too much time the day of. So I usually stick to making something nicer once every two weeks.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

I want to start cooking more this year. Anyone have any good resources for a beginner? Food that is simple and reasonably healthy with tons of flavour? I like watching Jamie Oliver's shows because his cooking is so simple but looks delicious. Can someone give an idea of what a novice kitchen should be stocked with? I know there is that giant thread on kitchen tools but a lot of what is in there is way overkill for a beginner kitchen.

 

[sandorski]

I want to start cooking more this year. Anyone have any good resources for a beginner? Food that is simple and reasonably healthy with tons of flavour? I like watching Jamie Oliver's shows because his cooking is so simple but looks delicious. Can someone give an idea of what a novice kitchen should be stocked with? I know there is that giant thread on kitchen tools but a lot of what is in there is way overkill for a beginner kitchen.

All Recipes not necessarily what you ask for, but great resource for Recipes.

 

[Terzo]

I want to start cooking more this year. Anyone have any good resources for a beginner? Food that is simple and reasonably healthy with tons of flavour? I like watching Jamie Oliver's shows because his cooking is so simple but looks delicious. Can someone give an idea of what a novice kitchen should be stocked with? I know there is that giant thread on kitchen tools but a lot of what is in there is way overkill for a beginner kitchen.

I am a big fan of cooking light. There are a bunch of series they have that follow the formula "# of type of dishes that can be prepared quickly or something like that." here is a good listing of some of them.
As for stocking your pantry, I think I could happily live with just a wok/large skillet, spatula, and a pot. Probably not a bad idea to have glass casseroles or aluminum sheets if you want to bake/broil.

 

[alkemyst]

My best friend is a private chef for NBA stars, therefore I don't have to...

Seriously, he is so good, I think that I will definitely invest in his restaurant.

and

Enjoy!

presentation is pretty poor...what "stars" has he PERSONALLY prepared for? Is he the skybox chef or something? I am sure the ingredients he is given are awesome...

 

[nageov3t]

I want to start cooking more this year. Anyone have any good resources for a beginner? Food that is simple and reasonably healthy with tons of flavour? I like watching Jamie Oliver's shows because his cooking is so simple but looks delicious. Can someone give an idea of what a novice kitchen should be stocked with? I know there is that giant thread on kitchen tools but a lot of what is in there is way overkill for a beginner kitchen.

the best cookbook you'll ever own: http://www.amazon.com/New-Best-Recip...3763477&sr=8-1

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

the best cookbook you'll ever own: http://www.amazon.com/New-Best-Recip...3763477&sr=8-1

Thanks. *add to wishlist*

 

[911paramedic]

I suppose "Advanced" from your listing, but I still consider myself fairly nubile. I just cooked from scratch this past Wednesday and actually took pics.

Made:
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/TheVrolok/florentine.jpg
Chicken Florentine

Why would you go through all the trouble of making such a nice meal...and ruin it with powdered parmesan cheese?? (otherwise, it's a fine looking meal)

 

[Rubycon]

presentation is pretty poor...what "stars" has he PERSONALLY prepared for? Is he the skybox chef or something? I am sure the ingredients he is given are awesome...

LOL some of the BEST tasting meals had mediocre presentation. Sometimes the emphasis is placed on presentation to make up for a lack of skill in the galley!

 

[SlitheryDee]

I'm a functional cook. I am capable of heating some food items until they no longer pose a health risk.

 

[moshquerade]

LOL some of the BEST tasting meals had mediocre presentation. Sometimes the emphasis is placed on presentation to make up for a lack of skill in the galley!

Truth.

 

[Terzo]

I'd like to think of it the other way; you don't need awesome food to make a great presentation.
Case in point.

 

[Demo24]

I want to start cooking more this year. Anyone have any good resources for a beginner? Food that is simple and reasonably healthy with tons of flavour? I like watching Jamie Oliver's shows because his cooking is so simple but looks delicious. Can someone give an idea of what a novice kitchen should be stocked with? I know there is that giant thread on kitchen tools but a lot of what is in there is way overkill for a beginner kitchen.

You don't need a ton. 3 knives(one for bread, larger chef knife(can get away without this for now), and a smaller one), a decent sized medium pot, a skillet would be good, and then just basic things like a can opener, tongs, spatula, etc. Pan for the oven would be a good idea as well. I suspect you have some of this stuff.

---

I guess in that criteria I would be advanced. I typically make most things from scratch. Although on a college budget that doesn't mean extravagant meals. I generally try to make things that will last me 2-3 days. Stews, rice dishes, and pasta dishes tend to fit that bill. I'd love to be able to expand and cook some more interesting things, but that doesn't quite fit into the preferred 30 bucks a week grocery allowance. Sometimes I enlist the help of a box, like in dirty rice I like Zatarans, but I then add a whole bunch of other things to it which practically doubles the size and makes it a lot tastier. ^_^

Probably helps that my mom is rather good cook and she makes almost everything from hand as well. She's got a lot larger recipe bank to choose from and of course a better stocked cupboard.

 

[F1N3ST]

Flat Iron Steak - $3.66

Broiler Hi for 6 minutes a side, perfect medium rare, juicy and tender. It's so good and cheap.

 

[alkemyst]

LOL some of the BEST tasting meals had mediocre presentation. Sometimes the emphasis is placed on presentation to make up for a lack of skill in the galley!

they aren't cooking for 'stars'

glad mosh at least agrees with you.

 

[AlienCraft]

Yes.
According to your scale, I'm an intermediate although I'm out of practice.
Used to own a burger joint.

 

[skyking]

intermediate, as is my wife. We make a good team.
I'm a little more conservative, she will just start tossing handfuls of this and that together.
Sometimes it ends up with her saying, "that's not so good" and I can be honest with her about it.
Other times it is great but we never write anything down so it is another experiment in the making next time.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

I am the master of the under 30 minute meal, chili, tex mex, and all things involving smoked meat (meaning ribs, brisket, chicken etc. Not that kind of meat you sickos).

 

[Kaieye]

I, too, like to cook a whole meal in less than 35 minutes from start to finish if I can. I tend to stir fry, steam or grill a meal just in time when the rice is finished. My daughter's tend to enjoy my cooking more than their mother's cooking and I am a lot faster getting the hot food to the table for all of us to enjoy.

 

[DT4K]

I'm not Top Chef material, but I'm advanced according to the OP's criteria.
My wife is capable of following a recipe, but she doesn't do much more than that and doesn't really like cooking, so I've always done 90% of the cooking in our family.

I worked for a catering company for several years and although I wasn't officially a cook, everyone there did a little bit of everything. So I did quite a bit of cooking and learned a lot about food.

I can make just about anything if I have a recipe. And I also do a lot of improvising, usually with very good results. I often use a recipe as a base and add to it, or make changes. I'm also pretty good at just throwing something together, completely off the top of my head.

 

[DT4K]

I love seafood. Here, snapped a picture of this failure - I've done bacon wrapped scallops before. I figured that if I cooked the bacon first, then tossed in the cheap bay scallops, then they might taste as good. Nope. Tried adding a little white wine with it. Blahh. Not bad. The dogs enjoyed the bacon; the scallops were about a 3 on a 1 to 10 scallops scale. The rest is baked fish (can't remember what type... bass?), some fried potatoes (didn't feel like waiting for them to bake), salad with romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, and cheddar cheese - went great with the cheap balsamic vinaigrette; some crappy rolls that you just cook in the oven - homemade would have been MUCH better. But, that was just a quick, easy to prepare meal without putting much effort into it.

Total time from start to finish - about 15 minutes.

Damn dude, that is such a waste of scallops. I like bacon and all, but that looks plain nasty.

 

[sandorski]

Damn dude, that is such a waste of scallops. I like bacon and all, but that looks plain nasty.

Nah,, waste of Bacon.

<<<Hates Shellfish, except Deep Fried Shrimp/Prawns

 

[Fenixgoon]

intermediate

 

[DT4K]

Nah,, waste of Bacon.

<<<Hates Shellfish, except Deep Fried Shrimp/Prawns

Actually, I agree with you. About the waste part.

He took two delicious items and made them both suck.