Question of the Day: Who Taught You to Cook?
Or are you pretty much limited to boiling water or using the radar range?
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24 Comments:
Who else? Mom. Some of my favorites are made on an almost weekly basis based on watching and, eventually, helping my mother make them. We had a hot, prepared meal every night. God, can you believe that?
Chaoss at 10:28AM on 01/10/07
Self-taught. My mom was no cook, and my grandmother was worse. I started cooking--both in self-defense and to impress the boys that were starting to hang around my stoop--at around age 12, and soon took over much of the food shopping as well.
Barbara Hanson at 11:30AM on 01/10/07
I learned and am learning from my Italian Nonna. She was born and raised in San Marino and is the most awesome cook I know. Recently I attempted 2 of her long time recipes and actually nailed them both! I was very excited about that.
ThatGirl153 at 12:11PM on 01/10/07
My Dad was the cook in the family growing up and he always got my brother and I involved a lot, so I would definitely say he was my first teacher... the rest I just learned on my own through trial and error.
Alm25 at 1:09PM on 01/10/07
My Aunt Nan taught me to bake when I was little, and I've been slowly trying to teach myself to cook. I love baking, but cooking is definitely more forgiving in terms of throwing in a bit of this, substituting a bit of that. My mom is a phenomenal cook, but I wasn't very interested when I lived at home. Now it's up to me!
JaimeLynn at 1:14PM on 01/10/07
the recipes and the inspiration came from my parents and my older sister. as for the actual cooking, i would say i'm self-taught. although, whenever i am trying something new, my mom always knows to stand by the phone to answer any questions!
Stacy at 1:33PM on 01/10/07
My mom, being a working parent, started teaching me to jump-start our evening dinners so that she could finish them up when she got home at night. I'd pop a meatloaf (that she had formed the night before) into the oven at the designated time or follow whatever directions she had given me. This contribution to the family meal made me feel important. As I grew older I continued teaching myself how to cook but I credit my mom with sparking the initial desire.
Acme Instant Food at 1:47PM on 01/10/07
My Mom! Although my Dad is a great cook, I learned all about prepping in advance, making sure you have a clean space and all the little organization tricks from Mom.
gwenpentland at 2:32PM on 01/10/07
mom
Lucia at 3:14PM on 01/10/07
Both my mom and dad; when growing up, Dad showed me how to make candy (types of fudge, toffee, caramels); Mom showed me how to bake (biscuits, cookies, pies, cakes). Her cooking was midwestern style, and as such, was bland and over-relied on Campbell's soups however. So, I learned from my sister when living with her as an adult what cookbooks could be trusted and how to depart from a recipe with improved results.
Then, learned Persian cooking when married - got feedback from my husband which made my dolmeh, khoreshs and polos more authentic and delicious. Now, I learn a lot from cookbooks, blogs, and other chowhounds.
Livingtoeat at 3:22PM on 01/10/07
Mom, gave me the basics...how to boil water, seasoning etc...the rest was from watching TV, watching other people cook. Reading cookbooks and of course the internet. I thank God every day that Al Gore invented it!
nelson5757 at 3:59PM on 01/10/07
Nobody. I kind of had to figure it out myslef. My mom was an ok cook, but it was the same 8-10 meals. I learned to cook when I got to college and had my own apartment. Instead of gobbling down ramen, mac and cheese, and frozen pizzas I would be in the kitchen making stir fry, sauteeing fish or making jambalaya.
EatWisconsin at 4:09PM on 01/10/07
Not one grandmother but both. I thank God that had two italian grandmothers who could cook like chefs. Bless you nonnas.
JerzeeTomato at 4:18PM on 01/10/07
My mom was a good cook and I still can't duplicate her fried chicken but very americana. meatloaf, hamburgers, spaghetti (jar sauce)her method of teaching me to cook was mostly by eating the stuff I cooked. When I was older I was expected to get dinner started before she got home from work most of the time but I really don't recall her giving me any instruction. I have learned most by trial and error. I have to say the past few years of the Food Network is where I have really "learned" about techniques and spices and flavors and having the courage to make things "my own."
Sindy at 5:24PM on 01/10/07
Mom ...if you ever watched "Upstairs, Downstairs" I was my mother's Ruby. While I scrubbed, I watched and learned. She now lives with me. She still does the baking - that's my weak spot. I fix everything else.
I also devour cook books.
pageycooks at 5:28PM on 01/10/07
Mostly self-taught and both of my parents influence in cooking. My parents are good cooks but lack in baking. I'm the opposite: great baker, ok cook. I wish I could duplicate my dad's Chinese bbq pork ribs...
tina.w at 6:32PM on 01/10/07
From my dad, and from Julia Child and Jeff Smith (the Frugal Gourmet).
AdamH at 9:56PM on 01/10/07
Absolutley no one. A fact my wife reminds me of daily.
Livetotravel at 11:05PM on 01/10/07
First and foremost, my mom. She's brilliant in the kitchen. My dad is the breakfast man and from him I learned how to make home fries and eggs. Then much credit is due to my boyfriend's uncle, who has a new lesson for me with every visit.
AlexRaine at 10:46AM on 01/11/07
I'd say Mum, but then it must have been by osmosis. She's a great cook but refused to teach me how to cook, quoting her own mum 'If you like to eat, you'll learn to cook'. So I left home without knowing anything, met my husband years later who taught me quite a bit, and now I cook for both of them! My mum even calls me to get recipes! Full circle...
ASMO at 11:08AM on 01/11/07
My mom, but also PBS cooking shows and books, oh and a restaurant in Germany where I loved the dish so much the chef actually came out of the kitchen and talked me through how to make it when I got back to the states.
Ann at 1:39PM on 01/11/07
My mom. She's a great cook and I wish I could cook like her... I'm just happy I've built up enough skill not to starve. ;)
wandabun at 1:53PM on 01/12/07
My dad. He is an amazing cook and loved to try new, different things. My mom hated cooking - probably because she was a stay at home mother of four. I also learned from waitressing and being around chefs. Now I learn from blogs and food tv and my very good friend who is into food.
mel at 3:33PM on 01/12/07
My mom taught me to read a recipe from start to finish before you begin. My dad taught me to improvise.
Mags at 11:45PM on 01/13/07