New to cooking!

[Jojo00]

Hello Everyone. My name is Joanna and I am a mother of two boys. I been married for 5 years and we use to eat fast food like there is no tomorrow. In the last few months I have started cooking more at home. My husband use to do all the cooking but we always eat the same things especially because we are picky eaters. I started trying new receipes about 2 months ago and some have been to die for and others not so good. I am looking for new, healthy receipes that my sons will enjoy as well. If you have any recommended receipes that are good for quick week night dinners then please pass them my way!Thanks alot!:)

[Chowhound]

Hi Joanna!
I've tried a couple of this guy's recipes (http://www.thecookingguy.com/cookbook/recipes.php)and they've been fantastic. And they're quick. And since I first ran into him watching his show on Fit TV, they must be healthy, too.

[homecook]

Hi Joanna! Welcome. I'm sure you'll find some recipes listed here that may fit the bill.

[Jojo00]

Yes, we watch Sam the Cooking Guy. I know he has quite a few receips that we tried and they were pretty good. Thanks for the info.

[ovkriss]

every body likes new taste

[Big Daddy's House]

Welcome to the forum!

[ChefToddMohr]

Having a written recipe doesn't teach you to cook anymore than having sheet music teaches you to play piano. More written recipes won't give you what you need to avoid fast food. You'll be constantly running to the grocery to buy what the recipe tells you to.

When you learn a basic saute procedure, or understand dry convective heat in your oven, then you can create recipes from what's in your pantry. Now, you're cooking like a chef at home, not following someone else's instructions.

Seek out cooking lessons, not recipes. You know, "give a man a fish he eats for a day, teach him how to saute the fish, he eats forever". (something like that)

I'd love to help you learn to cook.

[Chowhound]

I kinda agree with you, Todd... and I kinda don't. It sounds like you don't believe in learning my repetition. I think if you follow a recipe a few times, you're bound to pick up the gist of things. And then you will have those items in your pantry to work with next time. You'll know what items are most used and that you like. Maybe even start to adapt things. Sure, it's good to have learned fundamentals, but at least speaking for myself, following a recipe is a good way to pick up on things.

And remember, you can saute a fish, but you can't saute a piano (or something like that) ;^)

[QSis]

I am in the camp of "if you can read, you can cook".

Cooking lessons may make you a better, more knowledgable and confident cook, but they are not necessary to be a good cook.

We here can help with cooking terms and techniques and any questions Jo Jo has.

As for answering your first question about quick, easy meals that picky eaters might like .... could you help us with what things your family likes and does not like?

I was thinking that what I call American Chop Suey (and other people call Goulash) might be something you could try.

In a large frying pan, over medium heat, saute a medium-sized chopped onion in a little olive oil, until the onion is translucent. In the same pan, brown a pound or pound and a half of ground beef or ground turkey, broken up into bite-sized clumps of meat.

When the meat is cooked, add a can of diced tomatoes or a small can of your favorite spaghetti sauce. Heat till bubbly and simmer about 10 minutes.

Cook half a pound of elbow macaroni according to the directions on the box. Add the cooked macaroni to the meat/tomato mixture. Top with parmesan cheese.\

Lee

[Chowhound]

Don't forget the green pepper ;^)

[QSis]

Don't forget the green pepper ;^)

Absolutely! I always use sauteed green pepper and fresh mushrooms, but I didn't want to make it too complicated or too "scary" for a taste-challenged
family! :)

Lee

[Chowhound]

lolol
Good point.