A
female
age
26-29,
anonymous
writes:unfortunately I have no idea how to cook and im not sure of how to even start or what to begin with . Im 22 and I think its rather embarrassing that I don't know how to cook , im not over reliant on my parents but I am in terms of meals and I just expect them to cook for me . Recently I have been trying making pasta and I am enjoying that but I don't know what else to try to cook and were I could get easy recipes from and what other things I could use to make something so that im full and don't end up eating between meals .Someone from college has also suggested that I can go to his house and he would show me how to cook and Im unsure of whether I should.ive known him for 3 years now and I feel comfortable around him but the only things Id feel uncomfortable is that he has a family , a wife and lives with his son so id feel strange being shown how to cook when his family is there but I think this would really benefit me , should I go to his house? what other ways are there to learn to try and cook ? and if I do go to his how I can I come with feeling uncomfortable for a bit ? he also said I can come for Christmas eve as I don't have loads of friends and I don't have a large family so I don't do anything for Christmas even though id like to and if I went to his house for Christmas eve it would be for a lunch with his family , should I go ?
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female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (15 November 2018):
 Simple, OP ! Get yourself a cookbook. In any bookshop there are hundreds to choose from, just make sure you do not start from anything too fancy; luckily there are so many titles like " Cooking for dummies " or " Everyday cooking " or " 100 easy recipes "- you get the idea. And / or there's always the Web, of course. Tutorials for everything.
As for taking cooking lessons from your friend, well, at least if his wife and son are going to be there, it does not seem that " cooking classes " would be the equivalent of the old " come and see my butterfly collection ", but if it makes you even slightly uncomfortable ( it would make ME uncomfortable, knowing that I am invading someone else's kitchen , and privacy, even if by her kind consent ) you can learn on your own, in your own place. You don't need to have formal training by an expert or a chef to learn , unless you want to make a living out of it. Most people who cook regularly are self taught.
Plus, you cannot learn all in one sitting, you'd have to make it at least an ongoing weekly thing and, although I realize that this guy voluntarily offered you his time and kitchen , I don't know , it would feel to me like it's too much of a big favour to take advantage of, from someone you are not very very close friends with. And it would also slow your pace. While if you start dabbling by yourself, cookbook in hand, you can try a new recipe every night, if you want.
As for Xmas, well, I don't mean to butt into your business and if you prefer to spend it with semi-unknown people you will have your own good reasons, but generally Xmas is a family celebration and it does not need to be a " large family " , it can even be a family of two , as long it's YOUR family. Anyway if you decide to accept this invitation, I too would try to meet wife and kids first , at least to break the ice.
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (15 November 2018): I think cooking a dish with someone is a great way to learn to cook. If you are comfortable with your friend showing you how to make something I think you should do that.
Also, there is a lot of stuff online and even on TV to show you how to cook. Try to think of something that you like and would like to learn how to make, and search a few recipes online. Pick one with a rather short list of ingredients if you can to start, and just try to make it. You may need to practice a couple times to get it down, but if you do this with a new dish say, once a month or so, you will have a good base of dishes you can make in no time.
This is how I learned, and now I can make a lot of things pretty well.
R
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A
female
reader, Honeypie  +, writes (15 November 2018):
 OP, there are MILLIONS of online recipes.
YOUTUBE have millions of "how to" videos. I have been cooking for over 30 years and I still find and try new recipes online.
Some work, some don't. (as far as whether my family likes them or not).
But I like to increase the number and variations of meals, for myself AND my family and friends.
I have been on a Indian and Asian inspired "trip" that last couple of months and have found recipes I not only enjoy making but my family enjoys eating and sharing.
I'm cooking a "Chinese inspired buffet" for 40 kids (well teens) on Saturday with recipes that I have already tested on friends and family. A year ago, I would have gone simpler.
So it's NOT like there aren't a TONNE of options out there at your finger tips.
I can suggest some good "starter/beginner" YouTube channels.
(in no particular order)
TASTY (a bit OTT with cheese in recipes but again, they have many easy one that are adaptable)
Jenny Can Cook (healthy food and VERY easy to make https://www.jennycancook.com/)
Food Wishes (little more difficult but always good results - the website https://foodwishes.blogspot.com have the details/ingredients and techniques and variation)
Alex French Guy Cooking - he is not only adorable and upbeat , he is VERY good at teaching simple things.
French Cooking Academy - another French guy who makes a tad more complicated things but he shows and explains things very well, which makes it easier to do.
You like Greek food?
Akis Kitchen - he makes SIMPLE and GORGEOUS food.
Those are JUST a few of my go-to channels.
Another option is simply take a cooking class for beginners. You might even find one through your college.
I did one with my youngest and another with my oldest through their schools. It was a blast both for me and the kids.
As for the guy offering you cooking lessons..... I think you should perhaps MEET the wife first? before showing up for lessons?
I certainly wouldn't show up at someone's house for Christmas if I didn't know 100% that the WHOLE family would want me there...
And I also have to ask, why would you WANT to go eat with this guy? Are you crushing a little on him? If so, then no... you don't go. He is married and off the market.
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A
male
reader, kenny +, writes (15 November 2018):
 There are many places to learn to cook now days, probally the most easy way to obtain a recipe would be online. Think of a dish that you want to know how to make, for instance shephards pie. There are many variations to this dish, but you could google it and find a step by step process of making, and giving you a list of ingredients.
Another option might be to a book shop and obtain some cookbooks. Sometimes magazines have sections with pull out recipes in them.
A cookery class might be another option, here you will get to meet new people, and enjoy learning to cook at the same time.
I don't see any harm in going to this guy's house to learn to cook either, as long as you feel comfortable with it.
Good luck.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (15 November 2018): You can find easy recipes online and watch YouTube videos for tips. Try your local library as well or buy some easy recipe books from amazon. You just need practice. The more you practice the better you will get. Every mealtime is an opportunity to try. If your friend is offering to help you then why not take him up on the offer..
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