A Beginner’s Cooking Course Teaches Students Culinary Basics

Gathering around the table to share a meal is a great way to entertain friends and bring the family together. Individuals who do not know how to cook, however, are at a decided disadvantage. Fortunately, a cookery course for beginners will familiarize novices with the basics of whipping up something tasty in the kitchen.

Cooking Techniques
Learning the different ways to prepare foods is a good first step. Executed well, each technique brings out the flavor of the food and cooks it just right. With a little practice, students can easily master each method.

• Baking uses the oven to provide a dry heat. Depending on what is being cooked, the temperature can be low a high setting.
• Blanching involves dropping food into rapidly boiling water, and then quickly putting it in cool water to immediately stop it from cooking.
• Braising is searing food in a skillet using the hob, using a small amount of liquid. The liquid can be water, gravy or something that adds flavor.
• Barbequing is done outside over hot coals or an open flame. Cooking meats, fish, chicken and even vegetables this way adds a distinctive flavor.
• Roasting is done in the oven using a special deep pan with a lid. Meats that come out well using this technique include chicken, beef, pork and lamb.
• Stewing is similar to braising, except the ingredients are added to a large stew pot instead of a shallow pan. Good stews are made by a slow simmer on low heat.
• Stir frying is the Chinese way of cooking meats and vegetables together to bring out the flavors. This method uses a wok and sears the food quickly.

Learning to cook opens up whole new culinary horizons. Experimenting with new flavors and food combinations to find something truly original is part of the fun. After a chef instructor trains them in the basic methods, each cook can make their own signature dish.

Choosing a Menu
Preparing a simple three-course meal is the best way students can put their cooking skills into action. There are plenty of choices, depending on whether the cook prefers to make beef, lamb, chicken, fish or even Cornish hens. To really dazzle family or dinner guests, serve lobster tail poached in butter. The first course can be cucumber shrimp appetizers, followed by the lobster, small new red potatoes, a Julienne of snow peas and carrots with lemon vinaigrette and flourless chocolate sponge cake for dessert.

Cooking is an art that can be learned with proper guidance and instruction. A good cookery school that teaches a beginners cooking course is the place to start. Getting a handle on the basics, and then trying new recipes, builds confidence in the kitchen.