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Cooking |OT| If you can read, you can cook!

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Kraftwerk

Member
This is a thread for everyone. From the person who has never cooked an egg before, to the expert who makes the perfect risotto. A place to discuss food!

All you have to do is read. That's it, I swear. Just following basic instructions and VOILA! You have yourself a delicious meal.

If you are a visual learner, then Youtube is your friend. Every food that mankind has crreated, has a how to video on Youtube.

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This is your kitchen. This will be the place where you embark on your journey to become a culinary master. Make it comfortable and keep it clean. Turn it into a sanctum, so that you would want to spend time there. I love my kitchen. I get very relaxed when I am cooking. Just me and my ingredients, creating something amazing, That is why many call it an art.

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Pots and Pans:


As for pots and pans; keep it simple. Don't buy different types and sizes for the hell of it. You just need 2-3 types to cook anything.

You will need, at a minimum:

(a) One 6-quart pot for making spaghetti.

(b) One 2-to-3 quart pot for making rice, boiling potatoes, etc.

(c) One 7-to-10 inch skillet or fry pan.

Many of the large discount stores offer "sets" of pots and pans. If you don't own any, that may be the way to go. If you have time to shop around look for sales and "extra-off" coupons. That will cut the cost considerably.

Buy the best you can afford. Really inexpensive pans do not have the same heat-retention ability as the more expensive ones.

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Utensils:

These are your tools. You will use them to mix, flip and pummel our food :0

For many who really get into cooking, a good kitchen knife set is key. If you would like to discuss and learn more about that, head over to our very own Gaf thread :

The Kitchen Knife Thread: 'Honing' in on culinary brilliance.


All of these utensils below are not a must, but will make things so much easier. If you are a beginner, you don't have to get these, such as a measuring cup. Once you get into it more, you will look for these tools yourself, so you can focus more on getting the perfect taste.


1. One 16ounce (or 2 cup) glass measuring-cup. This is for measuring liquids, and can also be used as a container for mixing ingredients (such as Jello, scrambled eggs, instant pudding mix, salad dressing, and so on .)

2. One set of dry measuring-cups. These are usually made of tin or plastic and there are 4 cups to the set - 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, ½ cup and 1 cup. You will need these for measuring things like rice, popcorn, flour, sugar, etc.

3. One set of measuring spoons. There are four spoons to the set - ¼ teaspoon, ½ teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1 Tablespoon. These spoons are used to measure salt, pepper, spices, etc.

4. One heat-resistant silicone spatula. This multi-purpose tool can be used to mix everything hot or cold. They come in really great colors!

5. One pancake-type spatula. A great tool! It's used to flip burgers, eggs, pancakes, chicken breasts, and such things. It's also good for serving food.

6. Tongs. Think of them as asbestos fingers. They are used not only to prepare foods, but also for serving. I also like to use the long tongs to reach for something high in the cupboard when I don't feel like getting out the step stool, or for reaching up for the window shade when it flips to the very top of the window.

7. A can opener. Of course!

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Ingredients:

This is the stuff of magic. It is all about mixing and matching. You can use anything, and I mean anything in your house to cook. Take the egg for example; You can cook it with any other fruit, vegetable and meat in the universe. Each time you will get a new and amazing taste.

No need to run out to the supermarket right now and spend money on ingredients. You can start with what you have already. If you have a piece of meat in the freezer, just take it out and cook it. Use the spices that you think will make it taste good. It is all about logic. Do you enjoy a spicy meal? If yes, then take some spice and add it to your meat while cooking. See? So goddamn simple. And if you fail....well you will try again! :0


Condiments
Mustard
Ketchup
Mayonnaise
Vinegar
Oils
Cooking oil (vegetable or canola)
Olive oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pastas and Rice
Spaghetti and / or fun-shaped pasta
White Rice
Brown Rice
Canned Foods
Beans-kidney, pinto, black, navy, etc. Used for cooking or adding to salads.
Soup
Tuna Fish
Stewed Tomatoes (2 cans)
Spaghetti/pasta sauce

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Spices and Herbs:

This is the most important to me. I love to play with different spices and herbs. It changes the taste so much. You can control which side of the axis do you want your food to be on. Salty, spicy, sour anything you can thing of.

Salt
Parsley
Garlic
Tarragon
Basil
Bay leaf
Dill weed
Ground ginger
Marjoram
Oregano
Black pepper and peppercorn
Hungarian paprika
Rosemary
Thyme
Allspice
Mustard-seed
Chili-powder
Cumin
Coriander-seed


Some more in-depth
Italian cooking

Fennel
Crushed red pepper

Mexican cooking

Cayenne pepper

Asian cooking

Curry powder
Crushed red pepper
Sesame-seed
Sesame-oil
Soya sauce
Star anise
Curcuma powder

Baking

Vanilla extract
Ground cinnamon
Ground allspice
Ground cardamom
Ground cloves
Ground nutmeg
Poppy-seeds

Holiday Cooking and Baking

Juniper
Ground cinnamon
Whole allspice
Cinnamon sticks
Whole cloves
Poultry seasoning
Coriander, cilantro or chinese parsley
Sage
Summer savory (Satureja hortensis)

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Meat:

Amazing source of protein, and goddamn delicious. From steaks to Swedish meatballs and burgers.

Cow
Goat
Lamb
Pig

There are More exotic and for the adventurous. I highly recommend Bison:

Bison
Horse
Rabbit
Deer
Moose
Cat :0
.....Honestly, people eat anything

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Poultry:

Chicken nuggets to roasted duck breast with wine..... Forgive me Chinner.

Also, we use these birds for eggs. You know, the stuff you have at breakfast with bacon.

Chicken
Turkey
Duck
Goose
Ostrich


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Seafood:

Grilled salmon, fish & chips, lobster and crab to exquisite sushi...mmmmmm

Fish:

Salmon
Halibut
Tuna
King Fish
Herring
Haddock
Catfish
Flounder
Caviar
and much, much more....


Shellfish:
Crab
Lobster
Crawfish
Shrimp/Prawns

Mollusks:

Octopus
Oyster
Scallop
Snail
Squid


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Vegetables and Fruits:


There is just far too many to list here. My advice is, to get what tastes good to you. Everyone I know has a different favorite fruit and vegetable. I know a friend who can chomp down on turnips non-stop for hours, but he hates apples O__________O

I will still list some essentials vegetables, although you should try to experience them all:

Tomatoes
Potatoes
Spinach
Onion
Parsley
Broccoli
Cucumber
Cabbage
Lettuce
Cauliflower
Celery
Zucchini
Brussel Sprouts
.....and much, much more

Fruits:

All of them!

The awesome thing about fruits and vegetables is of course salads. You just wash them and cut them, and BAM! You have a super healthy and filling meal in a few minutes. Just keep mixing an matching. If you eat out a lot, and have a favorite salad, just observe it next time. See what vegetables they have in it. Go home and make it!!

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Cooking:


I guess that is what this thread is about, and I should post recipes here...

Well, yes and no.

there are thousands of recipes out there, for all different tastes. Cooking is about finding the taste that defines you and appeals to you. It is an incredible feeling to cook for others, and watching them enjoy every second of this magnificent creation of yours.

I made this thread so that we have a central point to discuss all-things related to cooking. From scrambled eggs, to steaks and citrus chocolate cakes.

This is a place for every gaffer to post their creations, and seek advice for cooking. Post their favorite recipes, and variations and different ways to cook the same meal.

This is your guide:

www.Google.com

Think of ANYTHING you enjoy eating, and type "how to cook X"

You will get millions of results. Pick either a text based recipe, or watch a video. You WILL succeed and learn a skill that I truly believe every human being should posses.

Start here:

Fluffy Scrambled Eggs


For your breakfast, just try this. Forget the vegetables and fruits. Just make that egg. Once you realize what you cook tastes good, and that cooking is not some mystical super power only some divine humans posses, you will automatically do the rest. You will be sucked in. That is what happened to me.

I will update the thread regularly with awesome cooking stuff that I learn and see...but for now:

"LET'S COOK!" - OnkelC

Below I will post some universal tips & tricks, and different cooking method and preparation of food. This will enhance your skills and give you more to work with.

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Marinating:


This is a must for me now. It adds so much flavor and takes the food to a whole different level.

I use a marinade I learned in Iran. I mix Turmeric, Black Pepper, Salt, Balsamic Vinegar and a tiny bit of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It is my favorite marinate so far. It gives my meat a very distinct south-asian/middle-eastern taste. I love it!

Poultry Marinade

-You can marinate an entire chicken or chicken parts. Piercing the chicken with a fork, or cutting it into smaller pieces will help it absorb marinade.

-Removing the skin from the chicken will help it absorb marinade.

-In general, two hours of marinating is long enough for the meat to soak up the flavor, but poultry can marinate for up to two days in the refrigerator, according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Very acidic marinades can actually toughen the meat over time, so follow the recipe or package directions.

Beef Marinade

-Marinating is best suited for the tougher steak cuts like flank, skirt, sirloin, round and hanger. These cuts can usually marinate up to 24 hours. You can actually ruin better-quality steaks, like porterhouse or rib-eye, by marinating them.

Fish Marinade

Fish and shellfish should marinate for only 30 minutes to an hour; any longer and the flesh might start to "cook" and go mushy.

Marinade Dos and Don'ts

-DO think ahead: If possible, start marinating meat the night before, or in the morning before you leave for work.

-DO marinate food in the refrigerator, rather than at room temperature.

-DO marinate in re-sealable plastic bags, rather than in bowls or other containers. They cut down on cleanup and allow you to evenly distribute the marinade. But you can marinate in plastic, stainless steel or glass containers too.

-DO cover containers containing marinating meats.

-DON'T use marinade from raw meat or fish as a sauce unless it's boiled first for several minutes. It contains bacteria from the raw meat.

-DON'T reuse leftover marinade for other food.

-DON'T marinate in aluminum containers or foil, because a chemical reaction could spoil the food.

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Stir Fry:

Learn this. You will be able to cook ANYTHING in a short amount of time. Stir Fry is the chinese technique of cooking which involves a WOK, high heat and lots of tossing!

I highly recommend you buy a WOK. You can get it everywhere, and it really changes how you stir fry, therefore how your food will turn out.

How to Stir Fry Anything

-If you don't have a wok, don't freak out. I don't have one, and I just use a big, flat-bottomed pan that gives the ingredients room to make contact with the heated surface.

-There are different opinions on how high to keep the temperature, but I opt for medium high because it gives you a little more time to cook without having to worry that everything will burn.

-Always let the pan heat for a few minutes before putting ingredients in it. Two or 3 tablespoons of any vegetable oil is all you need, and give the oil at least a minute to heat up, too.

-Stir-frying is quick and you're throwing things in the pan one after the other, so it's critical to make sure you have the ingredients chopped and at your fingertips. The last thing you want to do is start cutting onions while other ingredients are sitting over high heat.

-Speaking of chopping, make sure all your ingredients are more or less the same size. A hunk of red pepper is going to take way longer to cook than a tiny minced onion. If you cut everything roughly the same size, it will all cook at about the same rate. Bite-sized pieces work best — you won't even have to use a knife while eating.

-If your stir fry contains meat, chicken or fish, cook that first and then remove and set it aside on a plate when it's about 80 per cent done. Later, when your vegetables are done, just add your meat back in for the final heating. This will prevent the meat from getting over-cooked, and it will retain the flavor of your meat and not having everything in your stir fry tasting exactly the same.
Pay attention to your veggies before tossing 'em into the pan. Cook thicker and harder vegetables first, since they take longer. For example, tomatoes or thin slices of garlic will burn while sturdy carrots and broccoli are taking their time getting tender.

-The key to stir fry is to keep it moving. Stir your ingredients continually in the pan with a wooden spatula. Veggies will need more tossing than meat, however.

-Always serve the stir-fried dish immediately, since the bite-sized pieces cool down quickly.

-I always cook rice when I'm making stir fry, because it complements the meal and gives your veggies and meat a nice bed to sit on. But, if you have no rice available, you will be just fine without it.

You might be thinking;

"Umm, this thread is stupid. These are just simple facts everyone knows"

Well, exactly. That is the whole point of the thread. Cooking is not incredibly hard. It is simple and fun. You already know the basics, and have nearly all the items necessary. So just read and follow!
 
Best thread ever. I have decided I will embark on changing my diet completely and hope to cook nearly everything I consume (that is actually a solid). I will be back!
 

Kraftwerk

Member
Best thread ever. I have decided I will embark on changing my diet completely and hope to cook nearly everything I consume (that is actually a solid). I will be back!

That is why I started cooking. To change my diet completely, I had to do it. I have never felt better in my life. I can make anything I want, and constantly change flavors and try new things. It is fucking awesome!
 

Juicy Bob

Member
I thought this thread was a great idea when I saw it being discussed a few days ago, and now I think it's a fantastic idea.
 
I've gotten really into cooking just a few years ago. Got really bored with some of the things I was eating so I just started searching for new recipes and just went from there. That's why i think it's kinda weird whenever I hear someone say they can't cook. Everything is pretty much right there if you just search for it!

The only thing I think would make my cooking experience better is if I had a bigger kitchen. My kitchen is super small so it can sometimes be a pain trying to prepare stuff in it. I make it work for the most part though.

Also don't have access to a grill. I made some pull pork in and oven not too long ago, and while it was really good, I miss having that grill flavor.
 

gimmmick

Member
Great thread OP. Subscribed. I'll post some pics of my tasting that will be coming up in the next coming of weeks at work.
 

Konka

Banned
So you're saying I can take some of my ground beef in my fridge, chop up the green pepper and onion, stir fry it in oil and sriracha and then throw it on a bed of rice and it'll probably taste good.
 
While I appreciate the OP's effort, I expect this thread will end up much like this one.

IronGAF has long been the de facto cooking OT, and I don't expect it to change any time soon.
 

GK86

Homeland Security Fail
So you're saying I can take some of my ground beef in my fridge, chop up the green pepper and onion, stir fry it in oil and sriracha and then throw it on a bed of rice and it'll probably taste good.

Beef steaks, not sure about ground beef.
 

DanaInPurple

Neo Member
Hiya there, very nice recipes in here, love cooking!!

Maybe I can post some nice mexican recipes :p

Btw, I am new in here, cheers!
 

DanaInPurple

Neo Member
Please do. Been craving Mexican for awhile. Would be awesome to make a nice Mexican meal.

Will do, it'd be nice to share some good stuff in here, I actually cooked for my bf and his family a few weeks ago, and should be cool to post the recipe in here, is pretty easy. I will write it properly and post it.
 
Kraft, you are my savior. This thread would be useful if the place I lived in didn't have the worst kitchen in the world. But, I'll be using this thread when I move back into my house in a few months.
 

way more

Member
Your OP is kinda lacking. Let me help you out.


Spoons

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Most of us just think of a spoon as a shallow bowl on the end of a stick, but it's really much more. But just think of how many spoons exist!


Caviar spoon for serving caviar, often made of bone or wood as not to effect the delicate caviar.
The Chinese spoon which can also be used as a small serving dish.
Iced tea spoon, nice and long for use in conjuntion with tall glasses of Iced Tea
The Ladle for serving soups in larger portions :L0

Have you heard? The spoons of the Greeks and Romans were chiefly made of bronze and silver and the handle usually takes the form of a spike or pointed stem

The slotted spoon. This spoon features holes in the bottom so it's not for eating with! Instead you use it in instances where you need to remove large solids from a liquid. The liquid pours though the holes and you are left with the larger remaining solids.
The Spaghetti server, widely debated if it's a true spoon or a fork like apparatus.

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What do you think?

So the next time you are eating a liquid based food, or scooping out ice cream, consider where we would be without The Spoon. Maybe one day you will invent a new spoon.
 

TheExodu5

Banned
What oil should I be using for high temp frying? i.e. steaks, beef strips. Should I be using the same oil for things like poultry as well?
 

totowhoa

Banned
Here's a good tip for those of you who may have tighter funds or may simply may not have a well-stocked kitchen right now... you can substitute almost anything in a recipe. Sometimes it's nearly perfect, sometimes it's good enough, and sometimes the substitution may only work for certain dishes, but don't fret if you're really interested in some ethnic dish but are lacking Chinese five spice or don't any wine on hand for the sauce or maybe you just ran out of cumin or heavy cream or something. Googling " _______ substitute" will help you a lot early on, because you're going to see a lot of recipes throw ingredients you don't keep on hand pretty regularly. Just work on obtaining it all over time as you can, and keep in mind what flavors are similar and why the ingredients work as substitutes until then--it'll help build an intuition.

Another tip for new cooks: There's probably no reason for you to keep fresh herbs on hand immediately, except for cilantro and parsley since it's so cheap. You can buy fresh later when you're sure you won't be letting it go to waste. Nothing is worse than having expensive store-bought fresh basil go bad because you only used half of it. (Also, look into starting a small herb garden this spring--just a couple of small pots on the porch with your favorites--its much more efficient and takes almost zero effort). That said, you usually 3 times as much fresh herb compared to dried herb. So substitute a half cup of loosely packed fresh basil with a bit over one tablespoon of dried. That'll work just fine and you won't have to worry about spoilage.

I've only just started cooking heavily over the last two or three years, and I love it. I've only really gotten adventurous over the last 12 or 18 months though, and that's where the fun is at. Even though you may lack the intuition that comes with practice, anybody who gives cooking a shot will be impressing oneself over and over immediately with the dishes they are actually able to prepare at home.
 

riceckr

Neo Member
I'm to the point now that in most restaurants I go to, their food no longer impresses me because I know I could do better. That's great because I get a better meal at a fraction of the price.
 

thefit

Member
lol at the op tittle, tell that to my wife.


I'm to the point now that in most restaurants I go to, their food no longer impresses me because I know I could do better. That's great because I get a better meal at a fraction of the price.

My friends hate me for this I just keep that I know how to cook to myself now, but yeah paying for food and knowing you could do better at home makes it hard for shell out money at restaurants.
 
I just bought a bottle of sriracha. I feel like I can conquer all now. But tomorrow, though. I got lazy today. :(

Edit: I do have a chicken breast and a salmon filet thawing, though.
 

lacinius

Member
Sub'd for learning not to burn. Bacon for a start... always overcook bacon. Just take it off the heat earlier they say, just take it off, and yet I never do. :\
 
Sub'd for learning not to burn. Bacon for a start... always overcook bacon. Just take it off the heat earlier they say, just take it off, and yet I never do. :\

You ever try cooking your bacon in the oven? It seems to always come out great and i think it tastes better as well.
 
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