Is it too late to start cooking (Recreationally, for now)?

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Dudamel

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My dad is always encouraging me to cook; however, I never really pursued it.

Now at 15 years old, I feel a bit sort of late to start. It's my late interest in food and cooking's profound philosophy that has caused a spark to ignite inside of me.

I mean, I DESPERATELY want to be able to cook now and although I could probably get assistance from my Dad, I'd like to read about it aswell and probably a recommendable cookbook that goes from a basic point of view.

Can you recommend any?
 
No not at all. I thought you were going to say 65 or something. 15 is not too late for anything!

Since you're a guy, it's kind of expected you know to to grill/bbq. That's where I would start if I were you.
 
It's never too late for that. The Joy of Cooking is a good book. But you can go to the library and browse the cooking section. There's books there on every kind of cooking imaginable. Look around until you find something you think you can do easily.
 
I didn't start cooking until I moved in with my fiance and had to fend for myself. Before that, I relied on my mother's cooking or old reliable Kraft Dinner or Hamburger Helper. I'd like to think that over the last three years I have actually gained some skill and my fiance and my parents think I am getting to be a pretty good cook. The only thing I really seem to have problems with still is making gravy for some reason ...

The cookbooks I really like are the ones that really give specific advice on how to do certain things - for example, the best methods for cutting meats, or how to properly slice vegetables, etc. My first cookbook was The Taste of Home Cookbook and it has lots of good recipes in it and tips to help amateurs. America's Test Kitchen is also a good show for helping amateurs make meals that taste like professionals prepared them. Their website has recipes on it that they tested on their show, as well as advice on doing things properly.
 
My son (43) cook on his grill all year long
Use Yahoo search for "teens cooking"

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=teens%20cooking
 
It is NEVER Too Late! You may find you might want to even go to a culinary school if you end up liking it that much! It is a good career choice! I highly recommend the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook! Easy to follow simple recipes that taste great. Also since you may have access to a computer, try the easy to follow recipes on Allrecipes.com. It is one of the best websites for easy to follow instructions, and most ingredients you can pick up at your local grocery stores. If your budget is low, try the local library for cookbooks. And it is free to browse through the bookstores. Even try a used book shop. For next to nothing you can buy a few cookbooks and take your time experimenting at home. Good Luck and Happy Cooking!
 
you have some great suggestions here on cook books but I would like to add 2 foodtv shows that are very informational.
One is Good Eats with Alton Brown. What ever he is working with he covers thoroughly so at the end of the show, if you don't know the subject very well, its your fault. The other is anything with Emeril Lagasse. he makes cooking look good on a man. And he explains things very well. Actually Tyler Florence is pretty good at that as well.
The foodtv web site offers recipes and video instruction too. Check it out.
 
Are you kidding?Im writing on my dads email, and im 14 (girl), and i love to cook. But i feel that the best way to learn the basics
( and advanced ) is to watch food network. As well as read online. There are so many different websites that teach you to cook. Book are great, but there is soooooooooo much more info online. And when you are ready, i recommend going to The French Culinary Institute in NY. Or the italian version of it, or the interational Culinary Institute. They are the best. Happy cooking, and good luck!
 
Are you kidding?Im writing on my dads email, and im 14 (girl), and i love to cook. But i feel that the best way to learn the basics
( and advanced ) is to watch food network. As well as read online. There are so many different websites that teach you to cook. Book are great, but there is soooooooooo much more info online. And when you are ready, i recommend going to The French Culinary Institute in NY. Or the italian version of it, or the interational Culinary Institute. They are the best. Happy cooking, and good luck!
 
you have some great suggestions here on cook books but I would like to add 2 foodtv shows that are very informational.
One is Good Eats with Alton Brown. What ever he is working with he covers thoroughly so at the end of the show, if you don't know the subject very well, its your fault. The other is anything with Emeril Lagasse. he makes cooking look good on a man. And he explains things very well. Actually Tyler Florence is pretty good at that as well.
The foodtv web site offers recipes and video instruction too. Check it out.
 
My first cookbook was the Better Homes & Gardens one, the one with the red and white plaid cover. It covers a lot of basics, very instructional and easy to follow. It has nutrition info, alternatives, substitutions, everything. The recipes range from easy and basic to hard (like souffle!). That book is how my mother learned back in the 60's, and I've had my own for almost 20 years now and I still call it my 'bible'.

I'm glad that you want to learn now, and that you still have your dad around. Please get the family recipes from him. I lost my parents and grandma pretty fast, and I wish I would have gotten some of their recipes. So read up, but don't be hesitant to ask your dad too.
 
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