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13 things every beginner cook should know before making any meal
If you're new to cooking, you might be intimidated in the kitchen.
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But never fear — there are a few basic tips and tricks you can learn that will make everything from appetizers to desserts much easier to handle.
We culled the best answers from a recent Quora list that asked users "What are the 5 things that ever beginner cook needs to know?"
Keep reading to see their best responses.
"You don't need nearly as many tools, pans, and gadgets as you think. Start with a good chef's knife, a cutting board, a high-quality skillet, and something deep with a tight-fitting lid you can braise in." - Gavin Fritton
"When cooking from a recipe, the first thing you should do is set all the ingredients out. Then measure each one into separate dishes or onto pieces of wax paper." - Bernadine Schockmel
"[Use fats] to saute, marinade, baste, etc., and use different fats. Butter, duck fat, bacon fat, olive oil, grapeseed oil — all add something different to your dish." - Paul Midgen
"Many times when you taste a dish and the flavor just seems to be 'missing something,' that something is often a bit of acid." - Carolyn Cho
"Use your palate to teach you the difference between 'good' bitterness (chicory, endive) and 'bad' (burned garlic)." - Erika Tassell
"[High heat can] develop better flavor and texture, [and allow you to] cook faster. This takes practice, requires deft use of fat, and you're going to burn stuff. Practice, practice, practice." - Paul Midgen
"Trusting the little dial on your stove is insanity when it comes to baking. If you want to consistently bake bread, cookies, cakes, and other baked items perfectly, spend a few dollars to buy an oven thermometer." - Jake Hand
"Doughs and bread-like products can be made really easily with a bit of practice and are unbelievably good. This one ability — to make your own focaccia, for example — is a game changer.
"Get comfortable with yeast, rises, and resting. Get comfortable with cold methods and warm methods." - Marco North
"When possible, you should buy your vegetables from a farmer's market, especially for in-season vegetables. Check the freshness closely in your grocery store and use your purchases immediately." - Jake Hand
"Breaking down a bird for example opens up your abilities and cooking options in a major way. It also saves you money and gives me a much better [end] product." - Marco North
"There are so many variables in recipes and quality of ingredients that you must realize failures are inevitable. Live with them. Learn from them. Try again. That recipe that failed in the rainy days of May could create the most incredible fudge in world in December." - Jake Hand
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