If you're new to cooking, then you'll probably be watching all the cookery programmes you can, asking others for advice and trying to learn more about how you can get better. If you're more experienced, then perhaps you're stuck in a rut, cooking the same things all the time. Here's how you can progress and be a better cook.
Here are some tips.
1. It's important that you use good quality fresh ingredients. Whatever you cook, will taste better if you use nice fresh ingredients. Why not get your fruit form a greengrocers, and your meat from a butcher? It might be a bit more expensive, but it'll definitely be worth it and you'll learn which vegetables, and which cuts of meat will be best for the dish you're cooking.
2. Good cookware is a worthwhile investment. You'll soon notice that your food cooks more evenly, cooks quicker and tastes better too. It will last for many years and be easy to clean. Remember, that if it's good enough to be used by a world famous chef in their kitchen, it's probably good enough for your kitchen!
3. Try not to get too ambitious too quickly. You'll want to be able to cook the basics first, before you try and create delicate masterpieces, or 5 course meals for a dinner party
4. Constantly be on the look out for recipes that you might like. As well as recipe books, why not see if there are any in your daily newspaper, monthly magazines or on the websites you visit. You're also likely to find dedicated recipe sites which can give you some ideas if you're stuck.
5. It's a good idea to get to know your cooker well. Some recipes will make allowances for fan assisted ovens, or for gas ovens. You'll need to learn whether your cooker is actually at the temperature it says it's at.
6. It's not the end of the world if your dishes don't turn out quite as you'd hoped. At least you tried. You might be able to salvage the meal, or maybe you'll make something else instead.
7. If things don't go according to plan, you'll want to be able to learn from your mistakes. Perhaps your oven wasn't at the right temperature. Perhaps one part was ready too soon, or maybe you forgot to put the oven on. Whatever went wrong, as long as you can learn from it, it's not wasted.
8. You might want to learn from others. Perhaps you'll ask friends and relatives about their favourite recipes, or what size pans they use. You'll be able to use their experience to help you become a better cook.
9. If you're stuck for ideas, why not as other people to help you? Ask your family what they'd like to eat, or what they'd like you to be able to cook, and see if you can do it.
10. Above all, cooking should be fun. If you're not enjoying it, then why not take a break, and see if you can get some inspiration from somewhere else, or ask someone else to do the cooking for a change?
Now you know how you can be a better cook, what's stopping you from putting on your apron?
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