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How can you learn the theory behind cooking without enrolling in culinary school?

#1

Enresshou

Enresshou

So I taught myself to cook several years ago (and have a few tasty dishes to my name), but I've noticed recently that I have very little knowledge of the theory behind what makes these dishes tasty beyond snippets such as, "Lemon + garlic + sage = AWESOME." Additionally, I've noticed I'm fairly limited in my techniques (marinades, dry rubs, very little vegetable dishes).

Writing this has made me realize that I don't even have enough of a handle on it to ask what I want to do, so now I'm curious: how could I go about expanding my cookin' skills and/or flavor palate? I don't have time to go to culinary school (which I realize would be the best/most in-depth way of doing this), but any tips/tricks/books anybody can recommend will be much appreciated. Thanks!


#2

HowDroll

HowDroll

If you have an iPad, you can get an interactive version of the textbook that the Culinary Institute of America uses with its students. It's pricey, but it's probably the closest thing you'll get to culinary school without actually attending: https://itunes.apple.com/app/the-professional-chef-by-culinary/id473451019?mt=8


#3

Cajungal

Cajungal

There's a great book I used my first year of culinary school called "oncooking." Lots of practical pointers.


#4

Chad Sexington

Chad Sexington

Buy this: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/0684800012
and this: http://www.amazon.ca/Science-Good-C...=1372655670&sr=1-2&keywords=cooking+for+geeks
and this: http://www.amazon.ca/Cooking-Geeks-...=1372655655&sr=1-1&keywords=cooking+for+geeks


#5

Gared

Gared

On the book front, I've really enjoyed the information from Wayne Gisslen's 'Professional Cooking', 'Advanced Professional Cooking', and 'Professional Baking'. These are all cooking text books for culinary school students, and have a lot of good information on how and why cooking works, not just a bunch of recipes. Be prepared to really put down some cash for them though, they're all in the $100 range.


#6

Ravenpoe

Ravenpoe

Get to know this guy.



#7

PatrThom

PatrThom

Ravenpoe said:
Get to know this guy.

Click to expand...
DAMMIT ninja'd.

--Patrick


#8

DarkAudit

DarkAudit

With AB's blessing, all of Good Eats has been posted to YouTube.

One of my favorite episodes is Three Chips for Sister Marsha. You have three variations of the same basic recipe, and you learn what the effect of each change will be.

(I make The Chewy. Family favorite.)


#9

Bowielee

Bowielee

Honestly, I still find The Joy of Cooking a useful and educational book.


#10

Enresshou

Enresshou

Thanks for the tips, everybody. I'll be looking into all your suggestions.

Ravenpoe said:
Get to know this guy.

Click to expand...

This man intrigues me. I wish to know more.


#11

Ravenpoe

Ravenpoe

Enresshou said:
Thanks for the tips, everybody. I'll be looking into all your suggestions.




This man intrigues me. I wish to know more.
Click to expand...
https://www.youtube.com/user/GoodEatsComplete


#12

sixpackshaker

sixpackshaker



Alton Brown (Good Eats) and America's Test Kitchen are the two best shows for HOW to cook not really for recipes.


#13

DarkAudit

DarkAudit

America's Test Kitchen is from the folks at COOK'S Magazine. Sort of a Consumer's Reports for the culinary set. Highly recommended.


#14

Bowielee

Bowielee

The common theme of all the books and shows recommended here are that they don't just give you recipes and assume you know what everything means. They all actually tell you the hows and whys of what you're doing and defining stuff that the average shmoe may not know.


#15

Ravenpoe

Ravenpoe

Bowielee said:
defining stuff that the average shmoe may not know.
Click to expand...
Like how stuffing is evil.


#16

DarkAudit

DarkAudit

Ravenpoe said:
Like how stuffing is evil.
Click to expand...
Not quite so much. But that's another show. ;)


#17

SpecialKO

SpecialKO

Cook's Illustrated Magazine (that DA mentioned above) is really great. Not just recipes, but also a lot of cooking/technique tips and things to learn. It's like $25 for a year, a great deal.


#18

Ravenpoe

Ravenpoe

SpecialKO said:
Cook's Illustrated Magazine (that DA mentioned above) is really great. Not just recipes, but also a lot of cooking/technique tips and things to learn. It's like $25 for a year, a great deal.
Click to expand...

I read that as Cocks Illustrated, and for a moment I thought I was in the wrong thread.


#19

PatrThom

PatrThom

For the most part, COOKS magazine is a nigh-bottomless wealth of knowledge.
Mr. Kimball can be a bit overbearing at times, however. For instance, their forum was shut down because of ... reasons, and almost all of the people loaded up the truck and relocated to cookaholics.org in a situation very much reminiscent of our own origin.
Enresshou said:
This man intrigues me. I wish to know more.
Click to expand...
I have described him to people as doing for food and cooking education what Bill Nye did for science education. The shows are entertaining and educational in equal measure.

--Patrick


#20

Covar

Covar

One thing I really love about Good Eats is that Alton Brown won't name brands, but doesn't deny that they exist. For example the chocolate chip cookie episode that was mentioned above where every recipe he makes is based on the original recipe that you can find on the back of certain yellow bags of chips.


#21

blotsfan

blotsfan

I watched a few episodes and took his advice for cooking pasta. Best pasta I've ever made. Mans a genius.


#22

Yoshimickster

Yoshimickster

Ravenpoe said:
Get to know this guy.

Click to expand...
http://www.fredthemonkey.com/cartoons/alton-brown-christmas/
I'd link the youtube video, but unlike every other flash animator on the internet he hasn't put all of his old stuff on youtube.


#23

Sparhawk

Sparhawk

One of Alton's best episodes, all about Knifes.



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