Is it possible to learn how to cook by watching the Cooking channel?

Think about it: Is it possible to learn how to cook by watching the Cooking channel?
I don’t know how to cook, nobody has ever taught me. I usually avoid watching the cooking channel because it makes me hungry and eat, but could it teach me how to cook if I keep watching all the shows?
Also I a watching Essence of Emeril but there’s no live audience – why did they change it?? He used to serve the food to audience members.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Greeneyed
you can pick up a lot of good ideas and technics but to really learn how to cook you need to actually do it.(hands on)

Answer by mark
Assuming you follow up your viewing by making the dish then yes. Watching, reading and practicing will make you into a good cook

Answer by Lucille
You sould purchase the book “The Joy of Cooking” (old edition). This is a wonderful book with yummy recipes that gives easy instructions on a variety of foods. Watching the TV channel might give you cooking techniques, but it will not teach you how to cook. An easy book that you can refer to while cooking will get you started.

Answer by Chanteuse_ar
Yes you can if you listen to what they say and get some practice hands on. You may not become a world class chef but you will learn a lot.

They didn’t change Emeril’s show, he originally had two, Emeril Live and Essence of Emeril.

Food Network cancelled Emeril Live and Martha Stewart’s company bought the rights to the reruns and initially only aired them on the Fine Living Network, but the re runs are now appearing on Food Network again. He’s also on Emeril Green on Planet Green Network.

Answer by sunybuni
You may be able to learn techniques. However, the best way to learn how to cook is to COOK! Go out and buy yourself a basic cookbook – Betty Crocker, The Joy of Cooking or one of countless others. Then look for a recipe you think looks fairly simple and try it! The worst that can happen is that you end up throwing out what you made, but chances are if you follow the recipe – you will be able to make something edible! Just make sure any knives you use are sharp and keep your fingers out of the way of the knife! Good luck

Answer by barbie
You can learn a lot by watching foodtv, however You can go to your local library and get some basic cookbooks like –Taste of Home, or Betty Crocker, or The Joy of Cooking.

All of those will teach you how to cook and the proper ways to do it.
The Joy of Cooking teaches you everything about cooking from the basics to elegant recipes.

Don’t be afraid to expierment. The main thing is to relax and enjoy. If you make a mistake, so what? Try again.

Answer by Chetak.
With shows like Emeril you tend to know quite a lot about cooking to be successful or to look for his recipes online.

I would suggest Delia Smith shows which shows you exactly how to do easy things.

Delia is English, so if you are an American see if you have such a presenter. It will be easier as your presenter will talk in your terms, use your measurements and foods etc.

As for Emeril and other chefs, they tend to make a series and then revamp them for another, hence no audience.

Answer by Sophie B
No. because they leave out stuff…

Go to Barnes and Noble or Borders , and buy a Betty Crocker Basic Cookbook…The big red one…Go through the book and find your favorite recipes, and make them…follow the recipe exactly the first few times…

Then pick out recipes that sound good, make those……

How you learn to cook… is by cooking….

Answer by erisian
watch good eats

many cooking shows focus on recipies, but you don’t learn to really cook like that. alton brown focuses on methods and pricipals, so instead of learning to follow directions you learn the reason behind thoes directions and then you can make things up as you go.

Answer by Joanne A. W
Bless your sweet heart. We’ll have you cooking in no time at all.
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First…go to your grocery store early one the morning and ask the manager or a clerk to walk you through the store and show you were every thing is located. Visit often and get to know your store. Tell them that you are learning to cook.
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1. Check out the sealed PRE-COOKED meats such as beef tips, roast with gravy, pork roast, chicken, baked ham, pork chops, meatloaf. Just pop into your microwave; directions are on the packages. You will find these packages in the cold section (not the freezer). Ask a clerk to help you find these. Use for your meat with a side dish or two of vegetables, rice, beans, or potatoes which can all be found on shelves or in the freezer section and they are already cooked. All are delicious.
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2. How to Cook in Foil-videos:

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3. Dinner Recipes-videos:

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4. 20-Minute Meals:

5. The top brands of frozen dinners are very good now and are perfect for one or two people house holds. Just add a canned vegetable as a side dish. You can buy salad greens in large packages now. Buy the ones that have been pre-washed. Add your own dressing which you can buy in bottles.

6. Video On How To Cook A Rib Eye Steak on Stove Burner (turn on your sound), click this link:

7. Supermarket deli’s have pre roasted chickens, fried chickens, roast beef, and side dishes. You can stop in on the way home and grab a quick dinner to take home.

8. You have GOT to buy a crock pot (also called slow cooker). You put everything into the pot in the morning, set it for 8 hours, and your dinner will be ready for you when you come home in the evening! I kid you not. There is a recipe booklet that comes with the crock pot. You can buy them at places such as Walmart, and etc.
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5 Easy Ways to Cook Fish
Courtesy of H-E-B Culinary Dept.

Bake:
Heat oven to 450 degrees F.
Spray a baking sheet or shallow baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Place fish on baking sheet in a single layer, season as desired.
Bake 10 minutes per inch of thickness, uncovered, or until fish is done.

Pan Fry:
Heat desired amount of oil or butter in a skillet over Medium-High heat.
Cook fish 4 to 5 minutes per side (per inch of thickness) or until done.

Pan Broil:
Heat a nonstick skillet over Medium-High heat; spray skillet with nonstick cooking spray, if desired.
Cook fish 4 to 5 minutes per side (per inch of thickness) or until done.

Microwave:
Spray a microwave-safe dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Cut fish in half and arrange in dish so thick center portions are to outside of dish; place fish in a single layer and do not crowd in dish.
Microwave on High 5 to 10 minutes, depending on amount and thickness of fish. Temperature and times may vary according to your microwave.

Grill:
Heat charcoal 30 minutes or gas grill 10 minutes on High with lid closed. For indirect heat method, build fire or heat grill on one side only.
Brush grill grate generously with oil to prevent fish from sticking; grate should be 4 to 6 inches from heat source.
Place fish on grill rack in a single layer.
Cook fish 4 to 6 minutes per side (per inch of thickness) over Medium to Medium-High heat or until done*. For indirect heat method, place fish on grate over cool side of grill and cook 15 minutes with lid closed or sear fish on grate over heat, then move to cool side of grill to finish cooking.

Answer by Anna E
I don’t know if you can learn to cook watching the cooking channel or not. During the commercial breaks, much of the peparation is done for them. I would suggest Sandra Lee’s semi homemade cooking or Rachel Ray 30 minute meals or maybe Paula Deen. Emeril, Bobby Flay, etc cook a lot of complicated things that many people do not have the ingredients on hand for. One person suggested buying a Joy of Cooking cook book, or one of the Better Homes and Gardens cook books would work as well. These cookbooks will explain the techniques in cooking (such as braising, roasting, etc) and will explain in detail how to prepare and cook the meals.
You might also ask a friend or family member that can cook to help you. My mom and grand mothers cooked all the time and even though I took Home Economics in school, most of my cooking experience came from my family members.