2 years ago
28
I love cooking and there’s nothing anyone could do to stop me from cooking daily, not even my dad or mom. I’m 14 years and due to my passion for cooking, my dad purchased this book for me – The Complete Cookbook for Teen Chefs – which taught me everything I needed to know about cooking, from prepping to cooking more deliciously.
In my few years in the kitchen, there are certain recipes I thought I have mastered, but I was wrong. I have not cooked any meal in their perfect way. The first lesson taught me the fundamental kitchen techniques every young chef should learn before diving fully into making recipes.
To become a kitchen pro, this cookbook teaches three important lessons every aspiring chef must adhere to, including:
– It is important for every cook, whether new or experienced, to read the entire recipe before you start cooking. You can improvise but follow the recipe for the first time. This helps you have an in-depth idea about the ingredients and equipment you need, the time it will take, and the amount of food the recipe will make.
– Cooking isn’t a one-off thing, you must stay focused. You need to master the art of correct measurement and understand when food is perfectly cooked (without overcooking). Staying focused is key to becoming a professional chef as a teenager.
– Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, it’s normal. But learn to discover the cause of your mistake quickly and think of what you should do to avoid it when preparing the same recipe again. For example, double-check to see that you have all your ingredients handy and make sure they are enough before you start to make your recipe.
One of the recipes I’ve been getting wrong is steak tacos with charred corn salsa. After searing the steaks on the grill, I wouldn’t allow them to rest before adding the sliced onion and poblano chile I cooked with the skillet. And, I use too much heat which leads to overcooking. I was not only getting this recipe wrongly but most recipes I already knew.
With 70 healthy recipes in the book, there is something to learn every day. So far, I’ve learned some new recipes, including pizza pockets, acai smoothie bowls, delicious tofu bowls, skillet brownie cookies, and Thai coconut rice. My dad and mom are happy that I can cook new recipes within the short time of owning this book.
I’ll be learning more in the days ahead. Overall, I am so happy with this cookbook for teen chefs. I’ll recommend it to my friends. Parents who want to help their little chef develop their cooking skills should buy this book for them too. It’s worth having!