Beginners Guide: Learn to Cook in a Week
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 7 min read

Contents

  1. Day 1: Familiarize with kitchen essentials
  2. Day 2: Learn basic knife skills
  3. Day 3: Practice simple recipes
  4. Day 4: Cook a full meal
  5. Day 5: Experiment with flavors
  6. Day 6: Master timing
  7. Day 7: Cook for others

Ever wondered how to learn cooking in a week? If yes, then you're in for a treat. This simple, step-by-step guide will take you from a kitchen newbie to a confident home chef in just seven days. We'll start with the basics and gradually introduce more complex techniques, ensuring you're able to cook delicious meals for yourself and others in no time at all. So, let's get started!

Day 1: Familiarize with kitchen essentials

Our cooking journey begins with a simple task: getting to know your kitchen. You might be thinking, "I know where everything is, why do I need this?" But understanding your kitchen is more than just knowing where the spoons are. It's about learning the function of each tool and appliance, and how they can help you whip up culinary masterpieces.

Here's a list of essential kitchen items you should know:

  • Pots and Pans: These are your best friends in the kitchen. From boiling pasta to simmering sauces, you'll use these nearly every time you cook.
  • Cutting Board and Knives: A good, sturdy cutting board and a sharp chef's knife are key to preparing most ingredients. Remember, safety first!
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: When you're starting out, it's important to follow recipes precisely. These tools ensure you add the right amount of each ingredient.
  • Mixing Bowls: Whether you're tossing a salad or mixing cake batter, these bowls are a must-have.
  • Oven and Stovetop: Understanding how to control the temperature on these appliances is crucial to prevent undercooked or burnt dishes.

That's it for day one! You've taken your first step on how to learn cooking in a week. Tomorrow, we'll dive into some basic knife skills. Don't worry; it'll be a slice of cake!

Day 2: Learn basic knife skills

After getting familiar with your kitchen essentials, it's time to pick up the knife. Now, this might sound scary, but mastering basic knife skills is a key part of learning how to cook. You'll be chopping, dicing, and mincing in no time, and trust me, it'll make your cooking process much more efficient.

Here's what you need to know:

  1. Proper Grip: Hold the knife handle with your middle, ring, and pinky fingers. Your thumb and index finger should grip the blade. This gives you more control.
  2. Chopping: To chop, use a rocking motion. Keep the tip of the knife on the cutting board and rock the blade up and down.
  3. Dicing: Dicing involves cutting food into small cubes. Start by cutting the ingredient into slices, then stack and cut into sticks. Finally, cut the sticks into cubes.
  4. Mincing: To mince, you need to chop the ingredient as finely as possible. It's commonly used for ingredients like garlic and herbs.

Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't get discouraged if you're not a pro right away. It's all part of the process on how to learn cooking in a week. Tomorrow, we'll put these skills to use and start cooking some simple recipes. Excited? You should be!

Day 3: Practice simple recipes

After mastering the art of wielding the knife, it's time to fire up the stove. Today you'll be making your first simple dish. But don't worry, it's not as daunting as it sounds. In fact, it's an essential step in learning how to cook in a week.

Let's start with something basic but yummy:

  1. Scrambled Eggs: A breakfast classic, scrambled eggs are easy to make and require only a few ingredients: eggs, butter, salt, and pepper. Remember to keep the heat low and stir the eggs gently to get that soft and creamy texture.
  2. Pasta Aglio e Olio: This Italian dish translates to pasta with garlic and oil. It's simple yet bursting with flavor. The trick is to infuse the oil with garlic and red pepper flakes, then toss the cooked pasta in this aromatic oil.
  3. Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Who doesn't love a good grilled cheese sandwich? The secret here is to use good quality cheese and to cook the sandwich on low heat so that the cheese melts perfectly while the bread gets toasty and golden.

And there you have it! Your first attempt at cooking. High five to you! Don't worry if it's not perfect; remember, you're just three days into learning how to cook in a week. Tomorrow, we'll be moving on to cooking a full meal. Can't wait, right?

Day 4: Cook a full meal

Today is a big day in your "how to learn cooking in a week" journey. We're going to cook a full meal. But don't worry, we're going to keep it simple and doable.

Let's start with a three-course meal:

  1. Salad: Begin your meal with a fresh and vibrant salad. Use lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onions. For the dressing, mix olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Easy, right?
  2. Roasted Chicken and Vegetables: For the main course, we'll roast a chicken with vegetables. Rub the chicken with some olive oil, salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs—rosemary or thyme work great. Toss some potatoes, carrots, and onions in the same seasoning and put it all in the oven. A one-pan meal, how handy is that?
  3. Fruit Salad for Dessert: Let's end the meal on a sweet note with a fruit salad. Mix your favorite fruits—like apples, bananas, and berries—with a little honey and lemon juice. Voila, a refreshing dessert is ready!

And there you have it! You just cooked a full meal—how amazing does that feel? Take a moment to pat yourself on the back, you've made significant progress in your journey of learning how to cook in a week. Tomorrow, we're going to add more flavors to your cooking. Excited? You should be!

Day 5: Experiment with flavors

On Day 5 of our "how to learn cooking in a week" plan, we're going to play around with flavors. This is where cooking gets even more exciting. By now, you can chop, cook, and even whip up a full meal. But how do you add that special touch that makes food memorable?

The answer lies in spices and herbs. These are the secret weapons in every chef's arsenal, and today we're going to unlock them for you. Here's a simple guide:

  1. Spices: Spices like cumin, coriander, paprika, and turmeric can add a wonderful depth of flavor to your dishes. Start by adding a little at a time—you can always add more, but you can't take it out once it's in there!
  2. Herbs: Herbs like basil, parsley, and oregano add freshness to your dishes. Use them in raw dishes like salads or add them to your dish right at the end of cooking.
  3. Garlic and Onions: These are the flavor foundations of many dishes. Cook them until they're golden for a sweet, caramelized flavor.

Now, this doesn't mean you have to use all these flavors in one dish. The key is to experiment and find what you like. So go ahead, try adding some of these to your dishes and see how it transforms them. Remember, the best part about learning how to cook in a week is discovering your own signature style.

Day 6: Master timing

Alright, Day 6 has arrived in our journey on "how to learn cooking in a week" and it's time to conquer a fundamental aspect of cooking: timing. It's no secret that timing can make or break a meal. Cook it too long and it's burnt, too little and it's raw. So how do you get it just right?

The answer is practice and a good old-fashioned kitchen timer. Here are some tips to help you master timing:

  1. Read the recipe: Before you start cooking, read through the entire recipe. This will give you an idea of the steps involved and the timing for each.
  2. Prep ahead: Chop your vegetables, measure your ingredients, and have everything ready before you start cooking. This way, you won't be scrambling to find something while the stove is on.
  3. Use a timer: Don't rely on your memory or guesswork. If the recipe says cook for 5 minutes, set a timer for 5 minutes.

Remember, even professional chefs use timers. It's not a sign of weakness, but rather a tool to ensure consistency. So, don't be shy about setting that timer and making sure your dishes are cooked just right. After all, mastering timing is an important step in learning how to cook in a week.

Day 7: Cook for others

And here we are, the final day of our "how to learn cooking in a week" journey. You've familiarized yourself with kitchen essentials, practiced your knife skills, tried out simple recipes, cooked a full meal, experimented with flavors, and mastered timing. Now, it's time to share your newfound skills with others.

Cooking for others can be a rewarding experience. It's a chance to bring people together, show your care, and share a piece of yourself. Plus, it's a great way to get feedback on your cooking. Here are some tips for your first cooking experience for others:

  1. Choose a tested recipe: Now is not the time to experiment with new recipes. Choose a dish you have cooked before and are confident about.
  2. Keep it simple: You don't need to prepare a five-course meal to impress. A simple, well-cooked meal can be just as satisfying.
  3. Plan ahead: Make a list of what you need to do and when you need to do it. This will help you stay organized and reduce stress.

Remember, the goal is not to be perfect but to enjoy the experience of cooking for others. Don't stress if something doesn't go as planned - it's all part of the learning process. After all, learning how to cook in a week is about building confidence, having fun, and sharing delicious food with others. So, go ahead, invite some friends over, and show off your new cooking skills.

Interested in expanding your creative skills beyond cooking? Check out the workshop 'Learn How to Draw in Procreate' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop will help you develop your artistic abilities in the digital world, making it an excellent complement to your newfound cooking skills.