Beginner Cooking

October 1, 2024

Hello Friends,

After a few years of cooking, when you become more experienced you will begin to understand the perfection of your recipe by looks, touch, feel and even the smell. Until then, beginners need to turn to good recipes (ones recommended) and follow them in detail.

A little knowledge of common cooking terms will help to get you started. Words like folding, stirring, beating and blending will make a difference in many of your recipes. Read over some of these common ones so you have a general idea before starting the cooking.

Watch Me Demonstrate Folding and Stirring on YouTube

USING A RECIPE
For “newbies” at cooking, the most important thing to remember is to read thoroughly through your recipe. After reading and rereading, make sure you understand it completely, gather and assemble all equipment and ingredients. Some recipes will mark ingredients as “optional”; these are up to your choices.

Sometimes substitutions will be suggested for ingredients; usually ones which is more difficult to purchase. With more experience you will find that you will also be able to substitute many common ingredients with other ones producing the same results.

Most recipes unless specified for “two” or “large size” will have 6 to 8 servings; this does not necessarily mean people because different people eat different amounts. Sometimes three people might consume six servings.

Most recipes can be successfully doubled to feed more; however, the baking time and cooking time will usually need to be increased. For instance, when doubling a casserole recipe, you may need to bake it in a larger casserole dish and the baking time will also need to be increased.

I have found some recipes do not turn out as good when doubling. For instance, my delicious chocolate covered cherries recipe; when I tried to cook a double recipe of the fondant, it flopped. Like myself, you may need to try and see if it works; don’t be disappointed.

Your friend, Frances