Learn to Cook
I can think of dozens of reasons WHY you should learn to cook. The first that comes to mind, is that if you cook, I won't have to....... but I digress.
The main reason why I would encourage you to learn to cook, is because I never did. Only recently have I had to put any energy into learning the basics around the kitchen. When I was younger, I was happier to clean up after dinner than to partake in the cooking of it. Now that I have a family to feed, the necessity to learn the art is here, so I have no choice but to figure it out.
I hope to include in this section easy, delicious recipes that I have tried and approved. I'll see what tips and hints I can include as well and hope they will help you learn the secrets that make a good meal.
This isn't a place for the sous chefs out there, but a place for beginners because that's exactly what I am. At 30 years old, I'm a beginner in the kitchen. Click here for my cooking school board on Pinterest with a lot more inspiration.
The Best Cooking Show Out There
I wish I found this show earlier in life. Alton Brown is a culinary genius, and on his show, Good Eats, he breaks down ingredients and recipes down the the scientific process for us. For 14 seasons, he goes in depth into the hows and whys that make cooking work (0r fail).
I have found his show to be immeasurably helpful because he starts at the basics. He explains everything about everything with regards to cooking. What tools to use, what ingredients are best, why certain things are better than others, whats happening on a chemistry level while cooking. And somehow, he makes it entertaining and funny. This is the first cooking show that I've found that starts at my level (basic) and builds me up with knowledge. I've been learning so much from this show, that I would highly recommend it to anyone.
This recipe was a gift at my bridal shower, I've been using it ever since. Yummy!
2 packages frozen dinner buns
1 cup brown sugar
1-2 TBSP Cinnamon
3/4 Cup Raisins
1/2 Cup Chopped pecans or walnuts
1/4 - 1/2 cup melted butter
Grease Bunt pan and layer
1 package buns, brown sugar, cinnamon, ect
Repeat with second package
Pour melted butter over buns and cover with a very damp tea towel then place in the oven overnight to thaw and rise.
~REMOVE BUNS FROM OVEN BEFORE PREHEATING OVEN IN THE MORNING~
Preheat the oven to 350 F, bake for 25 mins. Let sit for 3-5 minutes then invert it on a large plate. Cut & Serve.
Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
I know it may seem silly, but there is a perfect way to cook a hard boiled egg.
Step One ~ Put eggs in a pot and cover with cold water. Rocket Science eh?
Step Two ~ Boil the water. As soon as it boils, turn off the heat and leave it on the burner and set the timer for ten minutes.
Step Three. Rinse with cold water until cool and then peel.
Follow these simple steps and you will never have a grey or runny yolk. Yummy & Healthy!
Bonus points ~ If you're doing deviled eggs or a dish where presentation is a factor, stir the eggs while they boil so that the yolk sets in the center of the egg and it will be perfectly centered when you slice it in half.
Chicken Shepard's Pie with Rotisserie Chicken & Potato Rosettes Sprinkled with Paprika
~One rotisserie chicken, shredded.
~A package of chicken gravy and assorted veggies.
~Prepare gravy,
~mix all together and top with mashed potato (need lots of mashed potatoes for the rosettes) .Put excess potatoes in the piping bag and create rosettes then sprinkle with paprika and bake until thoroughly cooked.
So Easy and So Good. Okay, the rosettes weren't THAT easy, but the rest was!
~One rotisserie chicken, shredded.
~A package of chicken gravy and assorted veggies.
~Prepare gravy,
~mix all together and top with mashed potato (need lots of mashed potatoes for the rosettes) .Put excess potatoes in the piping bag and create rosettes then sprinkle with paprika and bake until thoroughly cooked.
So Easy and So Good. Okay, the rosettes weren't THAT easy, but the rest was!
