Brace yourselves: I’m learning to cook! (Have I mentioned this yet? Well…now you know.)
As I explain in this little video after giving you a tour of my new bedroom, I never really learned–and I’ve also been surrounded by some pretty good, intimidating cooks in my day, so I never really wanted to learn.
But things happen, Lean Cuisines lose their appeal, Jolies grow up, you know how it goes.
My first purchases: Just Married and Cooking (by my friend the lovely and talented Brooke Parkhurst and her awesome husband James Briscione; buy it, buy it!); Alice Waters‘ The Art of Simple Food; Cookwise; and My Father’s Daughter by Gwyneth Paltrow.
And here’s my first official post-cookbook dish: a sauteed summer squash/zucchini/tomato/garlic concoction with balsamic-glazed brussel sprouts and pancetta that actually tasted really good.
I’ve been reading the books every night and have been playing around in the kitchen each day, so I’ll keep you posted here and there on my progress!
Nadine!!
Pick up one of Ina Garten’s (The Barefoot Contessa) cookbooks. Her recipes are delicious and never, ever fail me. I own all of her books and love them, but recommend her first “The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook” to “Ina novices”. Also, Giada DeLaurentiis’ recipes never fail me, either. I’m not a chef by any means – and I find myself reaching for Ina & Giada whenever I need to cook something wonderful – but not STROKE INDUCING.
Have fun on your cooking odyssey. Learning to cook was, by far, one of the best things I’ve done for myself. Yell if you need help/support!!
Take care,
Deb
[...] I mentioned a couple months ago, I’ve been learning to cook recently with the help of my trusty Alice Waters cookbook The Art of Simple Food and have thrown myself into [...]