Pay attention to the serving size on any given recipe. Most recipes make anywhere from 2-6 servings. If you are only cooking for yourself, you could cut the ingredient measurements in half and still have leftovers. If there are ingredients listed that you don’t recognize, look them up online. Look at the “prep time” and “total cook time” in any given recipe. This will let you know about how much time you’re going to spend in prepping your ingredients, and how much time you’ll need to actually cook the recipe.
You can also find videos online for instructions on how to best prep lots of different vegetables.
Many basic ingredients, like vinegars, oils, flours, seasonings, and sauces, may already be in your cupboards at home. Make sure to check or ask your parent if the item is already in the house.
For fresh ingredients, stick to the perimeter of the grocery store. That’s where you’re going to find fruits, vegetables, dairy items, meats, and bulk food items, like nuts and grains.
When you’re at the store, pay attention to the pricing differences between different brands of food. For example, you can usually buy a can of beans with identical ingredients for way less money from a non-brand company than from a name-brand company. Learning to shop for groceries is important because it’s something you’ll most likely have to do for the rest of your life.
When using measuring cups and spoons, unless otherwise directed, keep the amount level with the rim of the vessel. For dry goods, you can use the flat edge of a butter knife to smooth over the top of the measuring cup. For wet (liquid) ingredients, use a liquid-specific measuring cup made of glass or plastic. Set it on the counter so the bottom is flat and carefully measure out how much you need.
Use an all-purpose kitchen knife for chopping, slicing, and pretty much anything else you might need to do in the kitchen. Use a paring knife to peel fruits and vegetables. Use a bread knife to slice breads. A bread knife is serrated, which means it’ll cut through soft breads without crushing them. You can look up tutorials online to see how best to dice up certain ingredients.
When recipes call for the burner to be set to “low,” “medium-low,” “high,” or other heat variations, they’re referring to the different levels on the burner knobs, which control how high the flames go (or, how hot the burner gets if you are using an electric stove). After using your stovetop, always double-check to ensure you’ve turned off all the burners.
When baking or roasting something in the oven, you will need to preheat it first before putting your recipe inside. Most ovens will beep several times once they are preheated. The recipe you use will specify a temperature and cook time, like “cook the chicken at 400 °F (204 °C) for 50 minutes. ”
Always wash your hands after handling raw meats, like chicken, pork, and beef. Don’t open cupboards or pick up a spatula before you’ve washed your hands with soap and hot water.
Some basics that are helpful to know how to make and that can be the foundation for lots of different recipes are: eggs, rice, pasta, tacos, sandwiches, salads, basic soups, and chicken.
Over time, you can add vegetables, cheese, meats, potatoes, and other sides along with your eggs. If you don’t like or can’t eat eggs, try mastering another breakfast staple, like oatmeal or pancakes.
Sandwiches may seem simple, but there are a ton of different ways they can be prepared! You can grill a sandwich or bake it in the oven. You can even use a panini press or a countertop grill.
Avoid buying ready-made sides and instead learn to make your dishes from scratch (or as close to scratch as you can get). Minute-rices are great in a pinch, but being able to make your own on the stovetop makes you a better cook.
You will also save money by using whole foods to make snacks rather than buying prepared foods, which will help you budget better when you’re out on your own!
