When....

does cooking get easy or even fun?

I cooked dinner for FH tonight and he was thrilled. He usually cooks every night. The reason why I don't try on a regular basis is because I am very intimidated by the whole process and I am worried that he will not like what I make.

Sorry this isn't a delicious recipe to share. I was hoping you ladies could help me get motivated to learn.

Thanks!

there's a sense of pride when you perfect a recipe. i think that's the joy for me, when people LOVE my food and look forward to it.

Don't be afraid to experiment .. and just try to keep things simple .. I think what's intimidating with most recipes is the whole list of ingredients, the measurements, the actual process .. and then the hoping that it all comes together as it should.

That scares the cr@p out of me!

However, I love to cook .. because I just throw stuff together of things I like.

Here's an example .. when I hear some people talk of their pasta sauce they make (not from a jar) .. I hate the thought of it .. but I've figured out my own little tricks that gets me a meat sauce we love .. and I can have it ready in about 30 minutes.

A few short cuts:
Cook things like steak, pork chops, chicken breats .. they all only need minimal seasoning. You could even put chicken breats in a glass dish, pour in Italian dressing, cover the dish with foil, and bake.

For tastier white rice .. cook in chicken broth instead of water .. you can actually use chicken broth in place of water probably just about anywhere.

And try dicing up chicken tenderloins (or pork chops) with your favorite veggies for a stir fry.

There are so many simple things you could try .. at least until you are more comfortable in the kitchen .. just make sure hubby continues to treat you too!!

I love to cook...I'm Italian...I guess it's in the genes...but even I had to start somewhere. Want something quick and to me easy? Fried chicken cutlets. Buy thinly sliced chicken cutlets. Wash them. Scramble two eggs. Dip them in the egg and then coat them with bread crumbs. Fry them in olive oil till they're a nice golden brown on both sides. Steam some esparagus and drizzle w/olive oil and fresh lemon juice. Rice made w/chicken broth is a perfect compliment. Less than 30 minutes and you're done and its yummy!!!

Dont worry about him not liking it. Cooking is trial and error. When something turns out perfect made a mental note of what you used. If something comes out less than perfect, figure out WHAT is not right. Did the flavors not compliment each other? Did you cook something too long? The only way you're going to get the hang of it is by experimenting. I remember making a 'casserole' in college. We only had odds and ends and I threw together some instant potatoes, egg noodles, canned string beans, canned corn, bread crumbs, a can of cream of something soup and a few condiments. I cooked the noodles and threw everything in a baking dish and baked it. I knew it was either going to be terrible or fabulous. For the rest of the sememster my dorm mates RAVED! Who knew!?!

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Posted by halfpintny

...Scramble two eggs. Dip them in the egg and then coat them with bread crumbs. ...

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To the eggs .. add a few squirts of your favorite Italian dressing and mix together.

Make sure you season all layers when you're frying something .. meaning if you're using flour, egg & bread crumbs .. season the flour, egg & bread crumbs with salt & pepper .. or whatever you like!

Also when frying .. make sure your oil is hot enough before you drop in the cutlets .. otherwise your breading will turn out soggy .. but be careful not to make it too hot, otherwise it will burn.

Thank you ladies SO much for your advice!

Part of what scares me as well is not knowing when something is done. I am so paranoid that I am going to give everyone food poisoning that I end up serving them shoe leather for dinner.

Lots of recipes scare me. Especially when I have never heard of some of the ingredients. I know I need to start simple. I bought two eggplants and I was going to make eggplant parm but the thought of it makes me nervous. Now I think I might try to grill it or stuff it with something easy.

I am determined to try again!

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Posted by NPTbride

Lots of recipes scare me. Especially when I have never heard of some of the ingredients. I know I need to start simple. I bought two eggplants and I was going to make eggplant parm but the thought of it makes me nervous. Now I think I might try to grill it or stuff it with something easy.

I am determined to try again!

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allrecipes.com offers great 'simple' recipes (as well as more advanced ones). i usually start off with the easy ones that let me mix in a lot of alreadymade and available ingrediants and if it turns out good, i make the same dish, but use a more advanced recipe. the best part is that they automatically adjust the recipe to suit your serving size, so it's perfect when cooking for just 2 people.

another thing you might try, especially since your fi cooks often, is to cook meals together. it'll help you feel less intimidated in the kitchen if he's helping out and preparation time will get cut in half.

I know just how you feel, cooking is such a chore. I think some people are just naturals.

Good Luck,
Kelly

start with easy recipes- and dont overwelm yourself with ones that have a million ingredients

also - you dont have to make 10 side dishes- an main course and 1 side is just fine

many recipes are so easy they prectically make themsleves

last night i took 4 skinless boneless chickne cutlets, dipped in egg then breadcrumbs, baked at 350 for 20 minuts, then dumped over it a can of tomato sauce and some shredded moozarella with parnm cheese and salt and pepper, then baked it for 15 minutes more.

i made low carb pasta on the side


viola!
so easy

Thanks for the recipe Melissa! That sounds delicious.

I am definitely going to start small. For as much as I LOVE to eat, it is hard to believe that I don't know how to cook.

You ladies are the best!