Start with something you like to eat. Maybe you or your family have a favor meal at a resturant? Google the recipe and make it. Like fajitas or what ever you really like.

Do you have a friend or family member that cooks? How about asking them to cook with you a few times, so that you can learn the techniques? I do this with friends whose food I like - bring a bottle of wine or whatever, plus offer to buy the ingredients. Pick a dinner you like and want to make yourself, an easy one. Have them over, or you go over there, and make dinner together, asking questions as you go. Split the meal. Make the same thing again and again for dinner (your family will live) until you've got it down. Then try something else. You'll build skill in different techniques (roasting, pan frying, stewing, etc.) and then can use those techniques on different ingredients. Really, the hardest part is just jumping in and experimenting. Sometimes it won't work. Oh well. A lot of times it will taste good!

Op, if you have an iPad, there's a free "How to Cook Everything" app.

OP,

I definitely learned a lot from reading cookbooks and watching (good) cooking shows. You might want to get some books from the library b/f you buy a whole bunch. Real Simple is also a good source of basic recipes. In terms of cooking shows, I have better luck with PBS than the Food Network--they tend to go with personalities vs. people who can a.) cook and b.) write reliable recipes.

I like America's Test Kitchen, Sarah Moulton (http://saramoulton.com/weeknightmeals/), and the PBS series Everyday Food. I think the last one isn't broadcast anymore; it was produced by Martha Stewart, but it wasn't as fussy as much of her stuff is: http://www.pbs.org/food/shows/everyday-food/



Also, one of the best things I ever did was take a knife skills class at L'Academie de Cuisine. Having basic prep skills down really helps.

I would start small, pick a couple of dishes to master. Also, when you learn about cooking times, e.g., that it takes 7 minutes to cook a boneless, skinless chicken breast in a skillet, you'll start to vary what you make on your own.

First, choose something you want to eat!

Then, google it and compare different ways of making it. It will give you a sense of what's important and what can be left out.
Prefer the blogs with photos for each step.
Pioneer woman has easy-to-follow recipes with pictures, It's not my kind of cooking anymore, but when I was just starting out, it was very helpful!

Good luck. You'll get there. I left home without knowing how to cook anything, and 10 years later decided to learn so that DC1 could have home-made meals.

I am similar to you OP and I can tell you that both suggestions for the book and watching the tv are worthless and won't help.

You are better off googling "simple dinner recipes" and going to some blogs. Really you can find step by step instructions along with pictures to guide you.

OP,

I just made pot roast in the crock pot. Took a 3ish pound chuck roast, rubbed it on all sides with a ranch dressing packet, an italian seasonings packet, and a brown gravy packet. I stuck it in the crock pot and poured in water until it was halfway up the sides of the roast. Then I cooked it on low for 8 hours. If you wanted to, you could cut up some carrot and potato and throw them in for a one pot meal. I had leftover mashed potato and made a green salad as sides. Everyone licked their plates clean. I found the recipe on pinterest and it is a keeper.

Check out this thread - http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/250935.page#2641634 for some simple recipes.

For a new cook, I highly recommend Think Like a Chef by Tom Colicchio http://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Chef-Tom-Colicchio/dp/0307406954.

Do you have a crock pot or dutch oven? Put in a Pork Butt Roast with some chicken stock. Let cook all day. At dinner, add BBQ sauce.

Do you have a crock pot?

If so, I can give you a super easy way to make shredded chicken. Add raw chicken breasts, about 1 can of chicken broth, a little seasoning (salt, pepper...whatever you want, really). Cover the crock pot and cook on high for four hours.

When finished, break up the chicken with a couple of forks or fork and knife. Voila! shredded chicken you can add to all sorts of meals.

I also suggest watching some food tv. I used to watch a lot of 30 minute meals - I think it is helpful because it gives you a sense of timing while you cook. I think one of the most challenging things is making a meal with several parts all coming together at the same time at the end. This takes practice.

Anonymous wrote:I suggest you start out by buying yourself "How to Cook Everything" by Mark Bittman. The recipes are simple and work.

You might also watch some food network and try some of the things that seem easy and appealing to you.

And for whatever its worth, I was a professional chef for my first career and I still open a box of mac 'n cheese on occasion.

OP here. Thanks! I will buy that book.

I suggest you start out by buying yourself "How to Cook Everything" by Mark Bittman. The recipes are simple and work.

You might also watch some food network and try some of the things that seem easy and appealing to you.

And for whatever its worth, I was a professional chef for my first career and I still open a box of mac 'n cheese on occasion.

I can't cook. I always just pop something in the microwave. I never use the stove or oven. Sad I know....

I need some easy ideas and easy recipes. Does anyone have anything? Yes, I can try googling but I google something as easy as how to make Mac and cheese and it's a ton of recipes! So ladies and gents, help me make a list of preferably dinner ideas. I would like to do things by scratch if possible, like and Mac and cheese instead of just opening up a box. Thanks!!!!