Learning Cooking Basics: Simple Skills for Beginners

Introduction

Welcome to the kitchen, where simple ingredients turn into unforgettable meals. Sounds magical, right? But let’s face it: for beginners, it can feel more like walking into a minefield of burnt toast, overcooked pasta, and cookies that could double as hockey pucks. We’ve all been there. The good news is cooking doesn’t have to be intimidating. The answer is learning cooking basics. With a few essential techniques up your sleeve, you’ll not only dodge those rookie mistakes, but you’ll also start cooking with confidence—and maybe even a little flair. Today, we’re returning to the basics, the foundation of great cooking. Let’s get those aprons on and make some magic happen!

Learning the Basic Knife Skills: The Foundation of It All

If cooking is an art, the knife is your paintbrush. Learning how to wield it properly is non-negotiable. Start with learning the cooking basics: a dice for uniformity, a mince for flavor-packed garlic, and a julienne for fancy carrot strips (you’ll feel like a pro when you nail this one).

Cutting Techniques

• Julienne-slicing transforms ingredients into thin, matchstick-like strips, giving your dish a polished, professional look. But it’s not just about appearance, it’s practical, too. This technique ensures even cooking, speeds up the process, and increases surface area, allowing the ingredients to soak up sauces and seasonings more effectively.

• Dice-dicing involves cutting ingredients into uniform cubes, offering versatility and ensuring each bite delivers a perfectly balanced flavor.

• Chop- the most casual of cutting techniques. Chopping involves cutting ingredients into rough, uneven pieces. This method is quick, simple, and perfect for beginners who aren’t yet comfortable with more precise cuts. However, remember that because the pieces vary in size, they may not cook evenly.

Pro Tip: always use a sharp knife. Invest in a quality chef’s knife. Counterintuitive as it may seem, a dull knife is more dangerous because it’s prone to slipping. And your fingers? They’ll thank you for keeping things sharp. Want to practice? Grab an onion. Cutting it without crying is its own reward.

Sautéing and Stir-Frying: Learning Cooking Basics for Flavor at Full Speed

Sautéing and stir-frying are your best friends when you need a meal fast. Think stir-fried veggies or perfectly seared chicken. The secret? Start with a hot pan. Not lukewarm. Not kinda-warm. Hot. Then add enough oil just to coat the bottom of your pan, toss in your ingredients, and keep them moving.

Essential Tools for Sauteing: Learning Cooking Basics

In saute cooking, the right tools can transform the cooking experience from mundane to a culinary adventure.

• Saute Pan— a versatile tool used for frying, searing, and sauteing food.
• Spatula– allows for easy flipping and turning of ingredients.
• Wooden spoons-great on cookware. Stirring without scratching.
• Tongs-most versatile utensil in sauteing. Grasp, toss, and turn.
• Kitchen Timer– keeping track of time requirements when cooking is crucial, so invest in a timer.

Essential Ingredients:

  To master sauteing, always select the right ingredients.

Start Learning Cooking Basics With a Stir Fry

Your First Stir Fry Recipe:

Essential Ingredients

• Vegetables: 2 cups of bell peppers (thinly sliced)
• Onions: 1 medium onion (chopped)
• Garlic: 3 cloves (minced)
• Protein (optional): 1 pound of chicken sliced into strips
• Oil : 3 tablespoons of olive oil or canola oil.
• Herbs and Spices: 1 teaspoon of dried thyme, salt and pepper to taste

Prep Instructions:   

• Chop and Slice vegetables and protein. Remember, smaller pieces cook quicker and more evenly.
• Streamline the Process: Arrange your ingredients in individual bowls.
• Cooking Aspects: Temperature – Preheat your pan over medium-high heat. A well-heated pan is essential to get that golden-brown exterior.
• Oil Temperature: Always test how hot your oil is by adding a small piece of onion; if it sizzles, you’re ready to saute.

Cooking Process:

1. Add oil: Pour oil into the hot pan and let it heat.
2. Saute Aromatics First:  Toss in the minced onion and garlic first. Cook about 2-3 minutes or until they become translucent.
3. Add Protein:  Stir in your chicken at this time and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned.
4. Add Vegetables: Next, add the sliced bell peppers. Stir constantly for about 5-8 minutes until they are slightly tender. Remember, keep things moving.

Final Step: Seasoning:

Sprinkle the thyme over the dish and stir. Taste then adjust salt and pepper to taste. Allow to sit for a minute or two to let flavors meld. Serve as is or over rice or noodles.

Congratulations! You have just created your first stir fry using your new sauteing skills.

Now that you see how quick sauteing can be here are a couple more recipes to try:

Sauteed Garlic Shrimp

• Heat olive oil in your saute pan to medium-high, and then add minced garlic and saute until fragrant.
• Add peeled, deveined, and patted dry shrimp. Season with salt and pepper and cook until shrimp are pink and opaque. If you desire, you can add 1 or 2 tablespoons of butter at this time for extra flavor. Remove from heat. Squeeze some lemon over shrimp, plate, and garnish with parsley.

Sauteed Mushrooms

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add 16 oz. sliced mushrooms enough to cover the bottom of the saute pan. Stir mushrooms with oil as you add mushrooms to saute pan. Add 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, leaving mushrooms in a single layer, and allow them to brown. It will take about 4 minutes so do not be tempted to stir. After 4 minutes, stir to bring brown side up then allow to cook another 2 minutes without stirring. Bring heat to medium-low and add 3 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of minced garlic (2-4 medium-sized cloves) to mushrooms and stir. Cook 3-4 more minutes stirring frequently.  Remove from heat and stir in parsley or thyme. Can be served as a side dish or topping for steaks.

Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some common mistakes that can happen even to pros:

• Food Sticks– check that you are using enough oil and have heated the pan sufficiently.
• Uneven Cooking-Make sure to cut your ingredients uniformly.
• Food to Oily-Simply strain the sauteed food with a slotted spoon to remove excess oil.

Pro tip: Overcrowding the pan is a no-go. You’re sautéing, not steaming. Keep your ingredients spread out, let them sizzle, and enjoy that golden-brown magic. Oh, and garlic sautéed in butter? That’s how you win hearts.

Boiling, Simmering, and Steaming: Back to Learning Cooking Basics

Boiling water—sounds simple, right? But there’s more to it than just bubbles. For pasta, you’ll want a rolling boil (a boil so lively it looks like it’s throwing a party). Simmering—those gentle, lazy bubbles—is where it’s at for soups and sauces.

Don’t have a steamer? No problem. Using a metal colander over a pot of boiling water works like a charm. Steamed veggies retain their nutrients and taste amazing with a drizzle of olive oil and a bit of salt. Easy, healthy, and downright delicious.

Roasting: Learn the Basics of the Flavor Elevator

Roasting takes ordinary ingredients and makes them extraordinary. Veggies like carrots, potatoes, and broccoli become caramelized to perfection with oil, salt, and high heat. Regarding meat, roasting locks in juices and creates that irresistible, crispy skin.

Here’s the golden rule to remember: preheat your oven. A cold oven is no place for good food. And don’t skimp on spacing. Give your ingredients room to breathe. Crowded pans lead to steaming instead of roasting—and that’s just sad.

Seasoning Like a Pro: Salt, Pepper, and Beyond

What turns a blah dish into a showstopper? Seasoning. Salt is your secret weapon, but it’s a slippery slope. Too little, and your food falls flat. Too much, and you’ll reach for water like you’ve been stranded in the desert.

Here’s the golden rule: taste as you go. A pinch of salt, a dash of pepper, a sprinkle of herbs—these little touches can work wonders. Start small, adjust as needed, and don’t shy away from experimenting. Basil in a tomato sauce? Perfection. Rosemary on roasted potatoes? Absolutely heavenly.

Understanding Heat: Low, Medium, High, and Why It Matters

Ever wonder why your food sticks, burns, or takes forever to cook? Blame the heat. Low heat is your slow-and-steady workhorse for simmering sauces and melting chocolate. Medium heat? Great for sautéing and pancakes. High heat is for quick sears and boiling water.

The key is knowing when to adjust. Burned onions? Turn it down. Is soup taking forever? Crank it up. Heat control is a skill that comes with practice, so don’t stress if you don’t get it perfect right away.

Learning Cooking Basics: Practice Makes Perfect

These techniques might initially feel overwhelming, but remember: every great cook started where you are right now. Pick one method and practice it until it feels second nature. Soon, you’ll be slicing, sautéing, and seasoning with ease.

And hey, if you mess up, don’t sweat it. Some of the best recipes come from happy accidents. Overcooked chicken? Make chicken salad.

Conclusion

Cooking isn’t about perfection; it’s about enjoying the process and growing along the way. By mastering these basic skills, you’ve already set yourself up for success in the kitchen. Now, get ready to dive into even more exciting culinary adventures! Stay tuned for the next post in the Kitchen Confidence series, where we’ll take a closer look at the essential first steps to mastering baking. If you missed the first post in this series, you can catch up here: Cooking and Baking for Beginners. Learning the fundamentals will not only simplify your time in the kitchen but also make it more fun and rewarding. Don’t miss a single post in the Kitchen Confidence series!

Happy Kitchen Confidence!