We're celebrating my nephew's graduation today, and I've been thinking about what advice I would give to him. I decided that If I could give him one bit of advice, it would be to learn how to cook:
1. Cooking for himself, he will eat healthier and at much less cost than eating out.
2. In my experience, frequent dinner parties are a good way to make and keep deep friendships.
3. Being able to cook both impresses dates, and gives you an excuse to invite them to your house. :)
Toward that end, I've put together a list of equipment that I've found most useful:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U288mbbxORBU4-qTsoRUkZVE4FZxXLEqjfgUtEjJ1k0/edit?usp=sharing
With this list, I think that anyone would be able to:
* cook most recipes without buying additional cookware
* cook for two day to day, and host occasional small dinner parties (4 - 6)
* prep meals once / week
Note that I don't think it's necessary to buy everything on this list at once. Nor do I think it's necessary to buy new. A poor college student can do a lot with just a skillet, a turner, and a stock pot. Many of the items can be acquired at yard sales, thrift stores, or hand me downs. My advice would be to pick a youtube recipe that looks tasty, then acquire the tools required to cook it. Then repeat as time and funds allow.
My list contains four electronic gadgets: an immersion blender, an electronic scale, a thermopen, and an electric kettle. Of those, I think the thermopen is the most useful, as it allows you to know when meat is properly cooked, without being overcooked.
I'll put some youtube channels / videos that I've found useful in the comments below.
1. Cooking for himself, he will eat healthier and at much less cost than eating out.
2. In my experience, frequent dinner parties are a good way to make and keep deep friendships.
3. Being able to cook both impresses dates, and gives you an excuse to invite them to your house. :)
Toward that end, I've put together a list of equipment that I've found most useful:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1U288mbbxORBU4-qTsoRUkZVE4FZxXLEqjfgUtEjJ1k0/edit?usp=sharing
With this list, I think that anyone would be able to:
* cook most recipes without buying additional cookware
* cook for two day to day, and host occasional small dinner parties (4 - 6)
* prep meals once / week
Note that I don't think it's necessary to buy everything on this list at once. Nor do I think it's necessary to buy new. A poor college student can do a lot with just a skillet, a turner, and a stock pot. Many of the items can be acquired at yard sales, thrift stores, or hand me downs. My advice would be to pick a youtube recipe that looks tasty, then acquire the tools required to cook it. Then repeat as time and funds allow.
My list contains four electronic gadgets: an immersion blender, an electronic scale, a thermopen, and an electric kettle. Of those, I think the thermopen is the most useful, as it allows you to know when meat is properly cooked, without being overcooked.
I'll put some youtube channels / videos that I've found useful in the comments below.