OOT, Help Me Learn How To Cook!

[Tupacia]

I am a college student with very little cooking knowledge (for instance, I can't even make things according to recipes because I don't know what it means to "brown meat"). Although I can easily make frozen pizzas, I like to eat healthy. I have tried looking at cookbooks aimed at beginning chefs but with little help. I have a George Foreman Grill and I know that El Diablo is a whiz at preparing food on it. Can anyone give me some tips on how to get started or pick out cuts of meat or produce (another problem of mine)? Thanks a lot OOT.

[stabn]

http://localcommunitycollege.com

[El Diablo]

T,

During your time off from OOT, learn how to use the Search function and Google.

[Tupacia]

I have done Google searches and read books, but I just find all the information really bewildering. Posted here because I know a lot of you enjoy cooking. Sorry.

[El Diablo]

T,

"I have tried looking at cookbooks aimed at beginning chefs but with little help."

"(for instance, I can't even make things according to recipes because I don't know what it means to "brown meat")"

"I have done Google searches and read books, but I just find all the information really bewildering."

A couple of serious questions.

1) Are you mentally retarded? (I think mentally challenged might be the proper PC term here, my apologies if I'm using the wrong term)

2) Do you live by yourself or in a group home?

[Tupacia]

Alright man, if you're not going to help and think I'm stupid you can just refrain from answering or ask the mods to delete it which I'm fine with. No need for name calling.

[punkass]

Ok, I'm as big a foodie as the next person, but it seems we've been getting a lot of "help me cook stuff easy" threads lately.

Cue easy stuff:

fish
steak
pasta
etc

[Wu36]

First things first read and practice this.
http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=25958

I'm not sure of any good online resources for complete beginners, although that forum has a couple more useful tutorials.

Its important to be able to understand the underlying technique for the various cooking methods.
example: Sauteing meat
1. Hot pan
2. Small amount of fat
3. Sear the meat well (this is what browning means, the high heat will either brown the protein (mailard reaction) or carmelize the sugars.)
4. Flip the meat over until cooked fully.

If you understand all these steps then you already have a wide array of dishes at your disposal just by substituting different meats(chicken, duck, lamb, beef) and cooking fats(oil, clarified butter, duck fat...).

If you found this helpful I'll type up a little more, but I don't think I'm articulating this very well.

[miajag]

Ah, another excerpt from the well-known sermon, "Retards In The Hands Of An Angry El Diablo"

[El Diablo]

T,

" No need for name calling."

WTF, man, I was just trying to give you props. I think it is admirable when mentally challenged people try to make it on their own in the real world.