What are the basic skills that aspiring cooks should learn?

[Saranak]

What's the old saying? "A sharp knife takes orders. A dull knife takes fingers."

Very true thing Reuben I take a morning a week to sharpen my knives.
Sarana x

 

[Saranak]

One other thing also. Invest in best knives an equipment you afford.

Sarana x

 

[The Velvet Curtain]

Very basic. Portion control, so many times I have seen people cook far too much and then serve it to me.

 

[Windigo]

Very basic. Portion control, so many times I have seen people cook far too much and then serve it to me.

That usually doesn't happen if you use a recipe and check how many it serves before cooking.

 

[Mountain Cat]

What's the old saying? "A sharp knife takes orders. A dull knife takes fingers."

Years ago I had a sharp knife (I'd just bought it) try to take my thumb. It sliced down deep, but fortunately the scar is now gone.

 

[Mountain Cat]

That usually doesn't happen if you use a recipe and check how many it serves before cooking.

Or you are planning for leftovers. Being that I frequently cook for one, sometimes leftovers are a good idea...

 

[ElizabethB]

All excellent advice.
The best knives and cookware that you can afford.
You are better off with one excellent chef knife than an assortment of mediocre knives. Regardless of the quality keep them sharp.
The same is true with cookware. Fewer pieces of better quality.
All of the very talented people on this forum started with the basics. learn to use a knife, follow a recipe, weigh and measure.
A kitchen essential is a good digital thermometer. It takes experience to cook proteins properly. Even with experience it is a good idea to use a thermometer.
Good luck and happy cooking.

 

[TastyReuben]

...and take to heart probably my favorite bit of cooking advice, from Julia Child:

“No matter what happens in the kitchen, never apologize.”

 

[rascal]

When I started high school, we had home economics, cooking for both sexes. Started my journey into cooking. Prior my cooking was making pike lets at my nans.
I'd start with pikelets how to make bread, cook eggs three ways etc. then cook a roast n veges.
Knives also as mentioned.

Russ

 

[ElizabethB]

Is it just me or do any of you find it strange that popeye85 has not engaged in this discussion?

 

[rascal]

Is it just me or do any of you find it strange that popeye85 has not engaged in this discussion?

Lots of first timers..... That disappear into the ether!

Russ

 

[Mountain Cat]

When I started high school, we had home economics, cooking for both sexes. Started my journey into cooking. Prior my cooking was making pike lets at my nans.
I'd start with pikelets how to make bread, cook eggs three ways etc. then cook a roast n veges.
Knives also as mentioned.

Russ

What is a pikelet???

 

[popeye85]

ElizabethB

 

[popeye85]

I originally posted this question with specific regards to starting Italian cooking but it was decided that it could also apply to general cooking so it has been reposted as a separate thread. I may not be contributing but I'm still reading it 👍👍

 

[Morning Glory]

Is it just me or do any of you find it strange that popeye85 has not engaged in this discussion?

It was me that split off this topic as a separate thread from the popeye85's original thread Italian cooking guide. He has replied now! Thanks popeye85.

Lots of first timers..... That disappear into the ether!

Russ

popeye85 isn't a first timer. He's posted before about seafood, for example. If you click on someone's icon you can see when they joined and how many messages they have posted.

Here is what I see when I click on your icon/avatar rascal, for example: