Golden tips for those who want to learn how to cook

"Cooking is like weaving a delicate mantle of aromas, colors, flavors, textures. A divine mantle that will lie on the palate of someone always special," says the popular phrase of Chef Sayonara Ciseski, who, when talking about the action of cooking, gives us a sense of the importance that this act has to feed our body and soul. More and more in vogue, the art of cooking at home, whether for yourself, friendsor family members, is a pleasure that wins over singles, married couples, women, men, and children, but for those just starting out, the task of preparing your meal can be somewhat of a challenge.

Some basic recommendations, preparation tips, utensils and pots and pans can help first-time sailors prepare delicious meals at home rather than opting for traditional delivery, which is usually less healthy and more expensive. If you don't know where to start cooking, follow these tips and get inspired to literally get hands-on, developing your cooking skills.kitchen.

Why you should learn to cook

Besides being more economical, preparing your own food is an act of caring for yourself and your family or friends. By selecting the ingredients, seasonings, and executing a recipe you demonstrate care for your body and also for your well-being, besides avoiding situations of need in the absence of someone who can cook, for example.

"The food is the only consumer good that is going to be good for our body. If we have control over what we are putting in, that is one of the best things," says José Barattino, executive chef at Eataly São Paulo: "When you cook at home, you can have this control over what the ingredients are and how everything is prepared, which is sensational," he adds.

It is also worth mentioning that the act of cooking is seen by many people as a therapy, since it relaxes you, makes you concentrate on this activity and works on your discipline. When you finish a dish, the satisfaction and delight of tasting a delicious treat made by you are priceless! For those who have children at home, putting the whole family together to prepare a tasty meal or dessert promoteswell-being and the integration among all, besides serving to give the little ones basic cooking notions.

Tips on how to learn to cook

The art of cooking is not indecipherable, nor is it difficult, but it does require some measures of organization and preparation for everything to come out as planned.

1. read the recipe in detail and preheat the oven, if necessary

Understanding all the steps of a recipe and what to do to prepare a certain meal is essential to guarantee the success of the dish. That's why, if any doubts arise, it is fundamental to solve them beforehand - either by researching on the internet or by asking someone more experienced, for example.

Preheating the oven in recipes that need to be baked is also crucial to yield good results, since a warm or cold oven impairs the growth of cakes, pies, etc. "You can watch videos and classes on the Internet to better understand how the recipe works," explains Barattino.

2. make sure you have everything you need

Ingredients and utensils cannot be missing when preparing a meal, so make sure you haven't forgotten anything and have everything at hand. Check quantities, measurements and necessary appliances. If, for example, you're going to make a cake that requires egg whites, you can't do it without a mixer. Some recipes also call for a sieve, stirring bowls andpans, which must be present when preparing the dish.

3. wash your hands and food thoroughly

Before starting the recipe, wash and chop everything that is necessary. This process is extremely important, since once you start cooking, you need to have everything ready to pour into the pot as the steps progress.

Onion, garlic, and vegetables chopped on a board must be properly organized on your countertop and, for this, a tip is to invest in jars to separate all the ingredients. One of the most important phases in the act of cooking, the "mise en place", as it is called in gastronomic language, avoids the unforeseen and increases the chances that your meal will be delicious.

4. organize your workbench so you don't get in the way

After chopping, slicing, and cutting the ingredients, leave all the necessary jars for the recipe in a place that doesn't get in the way of your activities. A lot of things on the counter increases the chances of accidents and waste and, therefore, the recommendation is to wash and put away what will no longer be used - such as the cutting board.

5. don't cook in a hurry

Cooking should be something peaceful, enjoyable and therapeutic, so avoid doing things in a rush, in any way you can. Besides increasing the chances of burning yourself, cutting yourself or ruining the recipe, you end up turning this pleasurable activity into something stressful: "Cooking is a distraction, which can become a hobby. It's the time to cook for the family, a very generous thing", says the chefJosé Barattino.

Tips for those starting in the kitchen

"First of all, one must have a knowledge of the basics of cooking and know how to make a good broth, how long things take to cook, cooking methods, and ways to handle food," says Barattino, emphasizing that the best way to learn is by doing. So don't be afraid to take a risk in this unknown land that is the kitchen!

Spaghetti rice

Rice is a challenge for some people, but you can achieve this if you go for grains with an elongated appearance when you buy your rice. When you get home, the recommendation is not to wash it, and always keep in mind the measure of two cups of water to one cup of white rice.

Before putting the rice in the pan, saute some chopped onion and garlic, frying the rice in the seasoning with salt. Then add the water and cover the pan. Stir once while it is cooking, and then transfer the rice to a baking dish.

Perfect boiled egg

The point of the egg is another thing that deserves attention. The ideal, at the moment of boiling the eggs, is to put them inside a pot and cover them with water. Boil on medium heat and, as soon as the water is really boiling, turn off the heat, leaving the eggs in the water for ten minutes. After that, wait until they cool down, peel them and that's it!Then try more things you like," explains the chef.

Tasty beans

Indispensable on any Brazilian's plate, beans, which make a successful combination with rice, require some techniques to be tasty and have a juicy broth. The first step is to choose the beans, wash them and then let them soak for 30 minutes. Next, in a pressure cooker, put a liter and a half of water and pour the beans. Cook for half an hour after the potIf, after opening the pot, the beans are soft, they are ready!

In another pan, cut onion and garlic in small sizes, you can add bacon as well. Fry everything with olive oil and put this mixture in the pressure cooker, seasoning the beans. Add salt to taste.

The perfect steak

The ideal thing here is to buy the steak already cut up instead of slicing it at home. If there is excess fat, remove it. It is worth pointing out that meats such as filet mignon and sirloin do not need to be tenderized, but the others can be tenderized with a kitchen hammer. When it is time to season the steak, use salt and another seasoning to taste - pepper, for example.

After seasoning, the steak can be fried in olive oil, butter, or oil. It is fundamental not to turn the steak often, it is ideal to let it brown on one side and, after the blood starts to rise, turn it over.

The point of the noodles

The pasta usually has two main points, which are softer or "al dente". The ideal, here, is to observe if the pasta chosen by you is egg or semolina and check on the packaging the cooking time. If you want a firmer option of pasta, try the pasta one minute before the time stipulated by the manufacturer. It is worth noting that, generally, semolina pasta is harder than pasta made with eggs or semolina.eggs.

Easy to cook dishes

"Risottos, stews and roasted meat with vegetables all together in the same pot are ideal for beginners", says Barattino, pointing out that it is not always impossible to cook with few ingredients or utensils, since it is possible to make adaptations.initial revenues.

Essential Kitchen Items

"Stove, large knife, small knife and vegetable knife, a good board, non-stick frying pan, a saucepan and pots or bowls are the essential items in a kitchen," explains Barattino, who talks about the theory that "less is more" in this environment.

Although it is possible to improvise in the kitchen and there is always room for invention, some items are essential for those who want to prepare meals:

Non-stick pans

They are not indispensable, but they are a great help for those who are learning to cook, since they prevent food from sticking to the bottom of the pan. To begin with, the ideal is to have a large and a small pan, as well as a frying pan. A mug for boiling water or heating milk is also recommended.

Spoons and ladle

They can be made of wood, bamboo, plastic, stainless steel, or whatever material you like the most. It is recommended to have a larger model, ideal for stirring rice and risottos, for example, and a smaller one for vegetables, which can also be a spatula. A ladle for beans also makes the task of picking up the food easier.

Vegetable knife

Ideal for cutting, chopping, and slicing vegetables, this knife should be present in the kitchen of anyone who is venturing into the art of cooking, as it facilitates the moment of preparing ingredients and guarantees more precise cuts.

Measuring cup

It can also be a measuring cup. This utensil will help you to measure the right amount of flour, water, milk, and oil to ensure the success of your recipes. There are economical and very efficient plastic options.

With a willingness to learn, the right materials, and some experience in the kitchen, preparing your meals will become one of the most enjoyable and rewarding activities you can do at home. Try this new experience and bon appétit !