I am going to learn how to start cooking. I am the type of person that likes a lot of Italian and Spanish food. I am open to trying different things though. What are some cookbooks/recipe websites? THANKS ARJUNA!

Probably a really stupid question, but Spanish or Mexican food? The two can be very different.

this guy in general is worth checking out

http://www.youtube.com/user/foodwishes

he has this blog:

http://foodwishes.blogspot.com/

i can watch this for like hours, for real, it hypnotizes me. there's like 300 something videos on there and they're really nice and informative. it's good to see someone actually doing it and he will say stuff like "when you see this looking like this then it's done". which is really helpful to see what it's supposed to be looking like, know what i mean? it's reassuring when making stuff you haven't made before. also there is a range of different recipes.

Mexican or Tex-Mex? The two can be very different :]

JJ, I love cooking. You might be more into it right now than I am, but to me cooking will always be something I enjoy being able to do, as well as my friends. Don't know if you're looking for advice on how to start, but I'm gonna give it to you anyway son! Basically look at the recipes, and follow instructions! Lolol, no but I kid. I just started making all sorts of random shit from pancakes to lasagna (Which is actually super f*cking easy to make) to grilling to baking. Once I started doing all that shit, I kinda got the feel for how things were supposed to be done and just started improvising from there. My latest and greatest favorite sauce for almost everything (not just china food) is:

^Valid. :)

http://www.101cookbooks.com/ and http://www.seriouseats.com/ are amongst my favorites. They cover a lot of different types of foods.


My favorite baking blog is JoyTheBaker, and I love her quirky writing.

Those food sites may have recipes that aren't beginner friendly, but the comments that people leave can help you tweak the recipe to your taste.

I like to cook, but sometimes I have a hard time changing ingredient amounts so that the recipe is small enough for just one or two servings. (Yeah, I cook for myself and don't care for leftovers.)

I detest leftovers and my aunt insists on me eating them. I look at her like wtf no.

what is that?!

That's real cool bro that you want to get into cooking. I had to learn how to cook on my own 3 years ago, when I moved out and became independent. Since then, I been learning how to cook many things, and cooking for your female friends and inviting them over to your apartment for dinner, is the ultimate prize. They love it, and whenever they see you around campus, they always go "Hey Tung, when are you going to cook me dinner again?!" Gotta love it.

^ you know Tung....I may give you a lot of shit, but I have to admit that you always have the right thing to say. You are another one that I think is wise beyond their years when it comes to a lot of shit. Keep doing you bruh!

JJ, that's monkfish, veggie stirfry (onions, tomatoes, okra, carrots), steamed rice, and grilled salmon

You were making that last night?

I made that last night

I WANT YOUR f*ckING STOVE

Anywho.
depending on your cooking level I always refer people who are just starting out (although its good for any level) to watch this show/ use their recipes Everday Food.

And Everyday Baking.

For anyone thats looking for a scientific approach or even just for hardcore cooks and foodies (although a beginner could get into it as well) America's Test Kitchen is the f*cking show, magazine (Cooks Illustrated) and any book they come out with to buy buy buy/watch.

They test everything (recipes, equipment and tasting) until they find the VERY BEST and VERY SIMPLE method possible and I never EVER have bought any equipment without consulting their website beforehand to see what their recommended choices were.

Although IMO, Chris Kimball has a very picky/expensive tongue therefore he sometimes he tends to go with something that is more epicurean friendly over maybe something that the mainstream cook would be happy with just as well.

HAY JAVONN :)

recipezaar.com
smittenkitchen.com
foodporndaily.com - there's a recipes link at the bottom

enjoyy

Hey, Javonn -

REAL MEN COOK

Ohhh looks delicious o 3o

i just watched this

fyl