Learn To Cook: A Down and Dirty Guide to Cooking (For People Who Never Learned How)

I first discovered Hilah Johnson's cooking channel Hilahcooking on Youtube about a year ago, and have become a huge fan of hers. She breaks down cooking in a way that makes it easy and conversational, without the air of pretentiousness that a lot of other cooking shows have. Her Learn To Cook book is no different. It's written in an extremely conversational tone, like a friend giving you pointers, instead of taking on the role of a teacher or authority figure above you.The book is broken up into three main sections. The first deals with the basics of cooking, from getting you to think about what your goals with cooking are, to the equipment you need, to a glossary of definitions of cooking terms that you will run across as you discover new recipes. There is advice on grocery shopping, and how to formulate a grocery list and find the best prices for things while you are at the store. The most useful and extensive part of this section, in my opinion though, is the herb and spice chart. This chart lists pretty much every common herb and spice, their usage, their tastes, and possible substitutions. If, like me, you are someone who has cobbled together their spice cabinet with herbs and spices that you've bought only to try out a single recipe and now have all of these bottles of things you don't know what to do with, this will come in extremely handy.The second section is filled with recipes. All of the recipes that I have tried so far have been easy to prepare and delicious and none of them require special or hard to find ingredients. Hilah eases you in to these recipes by breaking everything down into its most basic instructions without assuming that anything is self-explanatory. Once she has laid the groundwork and has increased you confidence in the kitchen she begins a chapter of meals to prepare consisting of three or so different recipes broken down into easy step by step instructions so that you know exactly when to start preparing one thing while another is cooking. These meals come together easily, and you will be patting yourself on the back for being able to successfully manage your time and multi-task while cooking.The third and final section of the book ("Appendices") is filled with handy reference material from equivalencies charts to substitutions to solutions to common cooking mishaps (like what do you do when you burn the beans, or if your gravy is lumpy, or if your cake is ugly?) This section is pretty short, but perhaps the most useful for a beginning cook who has taken everything else in the book to heart, as it is something that you will reference time and time again.Hilah is amazing, this cookbook is amazing, the food that you make from the recipes here will be amazing, and your friends and family will be amazed with your new found cooking talent. Do yourself a huge favor and buy this book and subscribe to the Hilahcooking channel on Youtube. You will not be disappointed.

First of all, there are no fancy pictures in this book. Instead this book offers some great tips and even better recipes. My favorite recipe so far is the "Pan Fried Chicken Breasts" on page 173. I know....frying food is bad...but if you have to have fried food....then why not have good tasty fried chicken.Back to the book itself, the first few chapters in this book are devoted to helping a beginner cook (or someone like me who has very little time to spend in the kitchen) plan their meals and stock their kitchen. Hilah goes over some useful kitchen tools without encouraging anyone to spend a fortune on useless equipment.Chapter 2 explains "How to Read a Recipe" which is really important to those of us who may have had some unpleasant results in the past.For the novice cook, pages 56 through 64, explain what the different herbs are for and how to use them effectively. Personally, I have two spice racks that were given to me years ago that I finally just tossed out because I hadn't figured out what went with what. Now I can pick up a couple of fresh spices that I will actually use in my future cooking adventures.The appendice has some great information on volume, weight, temperature, and trouble-shooting (my personal favorite section....and yes...some of us are just not talented in the kitchen). I also found the section on ingredient substitution to be quite handy when fixing a last minute meal this week.Over all, if you are a "foodie" this may not be your cup of tea. But if you are a novice cook or just like simple straight forward recipes, then this book is great. If you get a chance go to her website and watch her cooking videos. They are easy to follow with great results.

I've been a fan of Hilah's cooking channel on YouTube since the very beginning and was hooked on her from the get go. The way she teaches you how to cook makes it seem so approachable and she is one of the main reasons why I don't see cooking as a chore, but as a fun adventure. Her personality and instructions very much come through in her cookbook. I have had this book since my sophomore year of college and it's what got me started on my culinary journey. I've let friends borrow the book, and they've all said the same thing: the book is FUNNY and actually a page turner! It's not too often you WANT to read a cookbook page to page, but this is one of those books!I'm actually doing a year of volunteer service and get paid a small stipend; this book has made my transition in living simply with a community of 7 very easy with her variety of affordable and delicious meals. Since I have to cook for so many people, it's easy to jump in and find a pleasing meal that can fit our budget and people with all sorts of cooking backgrounds can learn to do. I'm especially grateful so many of her recipes are vegetarian, or are flexible enough to be either or, which helps with the budgeting (and our nutrition!). She definitely sets you up with the skeleton of what the recipe should call for, but allows you the freedom to explore with other ingredients and gives suggestions for alternative things to include.I'll follow up with the recipes we most enjoyed later. But for now, I would just try them all since they're all excellent!

I own loads of cook books and never make any of the recipes out of them; this book is the exception. The dishes are quick, easy and foolproof. In the time it takes to cook a processed ready meal in the oven I can make one of the many recipes in this book. That is a major factor when I am cooking because I have very little time but like to eat well.The writer's style is engaging, light and informative. For readers who do not know how to cook the first section will be especially useful, but even for good cooks it is worth reading. A complete beginner could pick this book up and become confident enough to start cooking, without feeling patronised.The next section is devoted to recipes. My favourite is the fruit cobbler, which I have made several times. Try making it with peaches - divine!!! There are the usual sections, but there is also one called June Cleaver Cooking which contains several menus with walkthroughs so everything goes smoothly. Hilah uses readily available and fresh ingredients in her recipes, there is nothing fancy within these pages but the recipes will impress anyone who makes and eats them.If she brings out a companion second volume I will buy that too.

I found hilahs YouTube site,and enjoyed the style and relaxed fun she gives to cooking,it's just fun to watch.I like all sorts of food,my fav is tex mex,.Now I'm learning to make fresh food,frozen food,and boxed meals are becoming a thing of the past.This book is great ,it takes you through every stage from shopping list,to what ingredients are best.And how to put them together.If your a newbie,like myself or maybe have some cooking skills but want to try different recipes ,this book is great,so give it a try,you might just smile while you cook.

The book gives basic recipes as well as advanced recipes!

Hilfsbereite und nette Aufmachung. Auch mit vielen Witzen wird dieses Buch bedient.Wer kochen lernen will ist bei diesem Buch gut aufgehoben.

Fantastic!!!