Want to Learn: Home Cooking and Meal Prep

[OkieBoogaloo]

Hey All,

As 2024 nears, part of my plan for this year is to switch from eating out all the time to actually cooking and meal prepping... Problem is - I can cook the easy stuff like pasta or bag meals from the freezer, but not much else.

And every time I've tried to do this, I've grown tired and bored and failed.

Are there any cooking and meal prep type classes out there to grow the knowledge banks?
Anyone have any suggestions for how to change the mindset of 20+ years of grab and go fast food?

 

[kirk1978]

I think some of the Votechs have cooking classes.

 

[dennishoddy]

I think some of the Votechs have cooking classes.

I know the one in Ponca City does. They offer specialty classes as well like Italian cooking, Mexican cooking and so on as well as general learn to cook classes designed for someone that wants work in the food service industry.
Binge watching the Food Network shows can produce a lot of great information.
Allrecipes.com also has tens of thousands of recipes.

 

[OkieJoe72]

Pro tip: don’t get married thinking it will be a shortcut.

 

[KOPBET]

You don't really need to learn much. Just get a decent meat thermometer, a good cast iron skillet and a few fatty rib eyes. Add some grass-fed butter to cook it in and put a little tan on each side and go to town with the choppers.

 

[OkieBoogaloo]

Pro tip: don’t get married thinking it will be a shortcut.

uh.. yeah. already learned that one... another reason i need to start cooking is cause we both eat out waay too much.

 

[HillsideDesolate]

Hey All,

As 2024 nears, part of my plan for this year is to switch from eating out all the time to actually cooking and meal prepping... Problem is - I can cook the easy stuff like pasta or bag meals from the freezer, but not much else.

And every time I've tried to do this, I've grown tired and bored and failed.

Are there any cooking and meal prep type classes out there to grow the knowledge banks?
Anyone have any suggestions for how to change the mindset of 20+ years of grab and go fast food?

I recomend getting a few cook books. A "quick and easy" type book,

"I'm only here for the food" by Alton Brown. This book explains technique and the how and why with easy visual guides.

Betty Crocker's cook book. This is what I used as a latch key kid that had to have dinner on the table when my parents got home. If 11 year old me could understand it you can too.

Also no kitchen should be without The Joy of Cooking. Get an older edition that includes cocktails. Butchering and wild game.

Also get good tools. A good knife. Cutting board (bamboo) and skillet/saute pan. You can often find decent stainless cookware and pyrex baking dishes at thrift stores. The alton brown book has an excellent section on equiptment

Cooking in empowering

 

[HillsideDesolate]

Kitchen supply stores often have classes as well. You tube is good too

 

[TedKennedy]

Kitchen supply stores often have classes as well. You tube is good too

You Tube is definitely your friend here.

 

[JoeUSooner]

In the OKC area, the Healthy Living center on North Rockwell (I call it the "Senior Center") has a very nice kitchen/classroom setup and often conducts helpful cooking classes.

However, membership ($30/month - unless your health insurance includes a 'silver sneakers' benefit) is required to even get in the door. And folks under age 50 are flatly prohibited.