Best Cooking Tips You Ever Got

Here we go, 5 important cooking tips that I just have to pass on, things that all cooks need (or should strive for):

Crock Pot - I've written an article about my Crock Pot (or CP as I affectionately call it) but it bears repeating: A Crock Pot is a necessity for any time-crunched and/or inexperienced cook. For example, if you see that roast is on sale, buy one and toss it in with a couple of cans of beef broth (maybe a little red wine if you like it!). Let it cook for hours til it is tender, then with maybe a half hour left of cooking time add potatoes, onions and carrots. Done! It makes home cooking a breeze and is vital for anyone to whom good, wholesome food is a priority. You can let it work its magic all day while you're at work. It couldn't be easier.

A storage system - This doesn't have to be expensive. I went to Ikea and got a huge set of 17 pieces for something like $5 and might go get another one. Freezer bags are important as well, if buying in bulk and freezing or storing leftovers are important. Buying family packs of meat is a really good idea and very economical so you need to be able to freeze. And leftovers are the frugal cook's staple so stock up on the bags and containers!

Counter space - I can't tell you how I long for counter space. It seems I just never have enough. My solution? I bought a cutting board which fits over my sink. When I don't need to run the water I put it over the sink and voila! More work space. Very handy! If you need even more, consider buying a cart with wheels that you can move wherever you need the extra room. Again, the smaller and less flashy ones are pretty inexpensive and as a bonus usually give you some extra storage space as well.

Good set of pans - By "good" I don't mean "expensive". There are many inexpensive yet serviceable sets out there. Try not to go as cheap as you can or you'll end up with pans in which the coating peels off believe me, I speak from experience. All you really need is a small and medium saucepan, a dutch oven size pot, and a frying pan. You might want to branch out a bit further and pick up a smaller frying pan and a grill pan. The grill pan is a great idea for meats and vegetables. I know the Foreman Grill is a great buy and have used it many times but it might not be in the price range of some cooks who are just starting outbesides, you just spent $20 on that Crock Pot! Be good to your pans. Don't put them in the dishwasher, and don't run water in them until they've cooled off or else the shape of the pan will become warped.

Patience - This is vital. I can't tell you how many people I know who claim they can't cook when, in reality, they've never taken the time to find out that they can. Cooking, once you know the basics and have the tools, is one of the easiest things in the world. After a while it all comes down to patience, trial and error, and a creative spirit. But patience is really the key. Find a dish or two that you enjoy making, even if it's as simple as spaghetti and sauce, and expand on that. What if you used another type of pasta and mixed in your favorite veggies, cheese and oil? Or you mixed in cold chicken or tuna and some mayo and served it over lettuce? Voila! You've expanded your repertoire! Eventually you'll find yourself looking for new tricks and recipes and before long you'll find that you enjoy this whole cooking thing.