Member of the Month

JalmarKalmar
April, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Learning to cook

profile picture
alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
going off to college soon, 18 and don't know how to cook jack shit because i'm a lazy fuck, what're some good meals to learn how to cook with?

So far on my menu:
boiled hot dogs
scrambled eggs
mac and cheese
digorno pizzas
ramen noodles
Jan 4 2014 7:17PM
23 2
profile picture
ALMIGHTYSOSA
Posts: 2800 - Karma: 2,102
Hamburger Helper
Jan 4 2014 7:20PM
1 0
profile picture
iFlip
Posts: 4542 - Karma: 19,107
According to 99% of college students:

Mealplan
Delivery
Carry out
Bottled water

If you're 18 and going to college you will live in a dorm. You will not even have the ability to cook as you will not have a stone, oven, etc.
Jan 4 2014 7:23PM
5 0
profile picture
Granby_killdozer
Posts: 2298 - Karma: -11,016
Pasta and paninis are pretty hard to fuck up. Just get a frying pan and experiment with stuff, the more you do it the better you'll get.
Jan 4 2014 7:26PM
2 0
profile picture
Edward.
Posts: 9366 - Karma: 445
Frozen veggies and ravioli are quick and easy to heat up. Steaming dumplings is also easy if youre into that. These will all take about 7-8 minutes to do. You can also bake chicken in the oven which is easy but will take about 20-25 minutes.
Jan 4 2014 7:30PM
0 0
profile picture
alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
Solid ideas, +K

as always thanks to James for the solid advice
Jan 4 2014 7:41PM
0 0
profile picture
Aidan-G
Posts: 9411 - Karma: 10,798
Chef Boyardee saved my life.....and will probably contribute to my premature demise
Jan 4 2014 7:42PM
1 0
profile picture
Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1400 - Karma: 675
This is one of my favorite recipes and super easy to do:
-Beef strips
-Green bell peppers
-Udon noodles (these things are the fucking bomb)
-Teriyaki sauce

Another super easy one:
-White rice
-Chicken
-Green beans
-Peanut Satay Sauce

These are super easy to do, and pretty cheap. The meat is by far the most expensive item.
Jan 4 2014 8:31PM
0 0
profile picture
alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
never heard of udon noodles or satay sauce but thanks for the creativity man +k
Jan 4 2014 8:52PM
0 0
profile picture
casual
Posts: 6712 - Karma: 6,746
This is a great starting point.

I love stirfrys, and I experiment with all different kinds of sauces/spices/and marinades.

You honestly can't go wrong with either rice, noodles, a protein, and a couple stirfryed vegetables.

Also....onion, butter, and garlic. Pretty much combining those with anything will be a hit.

Lame as it sounds, check labels and packaging for recipes, often they're easy and cheap.
Jan 4 2014 8:56PM
0 0
profile picture
-WZ-
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 6,582
you cant make mac and cheese and youre 18? wtf
Jan 4 2014 8:57PM
2 0
profile picture
~~~~~~~~
Posts: 2345 - Karma: 2,104
get a crock pot and you can make so much man food. Everything from chili to stew, to pulled pork.
Jan 4 2014 9:00PM
1 0
profile picture
HesherTrev
Posts: 106 - Karma: 43

I got two that are easy as fuck and are decently cheap

hamburger and rice

cheese quesadilla with dried thai pepper

Jan 4 2014 9:06PM
0 0
profile picture
JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,169
I always make the second one. Right when the chicken is done I put some bbq sauce and shredded cheese on the chicken mmmmmm
Jan 4 2014 9:09PM
0 0
profile picture
alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
L2R
Jan 4 2014 9:10PM
0 0
profile picture
Dr.Dealgood
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 1,352
This is definitely true, but I would also consider a cast iron Dutch Oven. Of all the kitchen/cooking things I've used or owned, this is the most fucking versatile thing ever. I've made breads, breakfasts, stews, soups, baked goods, whole chickens, meatloaves, etc. It's not always the easiest what with the high lid (depending on what you're making or your spatula situation), but starting out it's clutch. Plus they're indestructible, can be brought for a campout, and easy as fuck to clean out.
Click for larger image
It's also great for stir fries, which, starting out is probably the best way to go. Just a simple base of rice or noodles, some sauce (off the shelf or homemade), some veggies and meat. Experiment with combinations, flavors, etc.

Bread can be highly complicated or supremely simple. I used to make simple no-knead loaves in college all the time for sandwiches on the hill. Plus ladies love a guy that can make some good bread, or cook a good meal (pink names?).

If you're serious about this I can recommend some cook books. And other resources. What kind of food are you into?  A LOT of good food is not hard to make once you got some basics.

Either way, Mark Bittman (food boss) wrote this handy book that breaks down basic tasks and gives some good insights. 
Click for larger image


Jan 4 2014 9:18PM
1 0
profile picture
act.resist
Posts: 8875 - Karma: 513
you don't have a dining hall?
Jan 4 2014 9:31PM
0 0
profile picture
-WZ-
Posts: 3600 - Karma: 6,582
ohhh i thought those were things you were planning on learning how to do my bad
Jan 4 2014 9:31PM
0 0
profile picture
Rusticles
Posts: 2179 - Karma: 1,334
Try satay sauce it's deliscious, kindof a peanutty Asian sauce.

Also OP
Boil perogies until they float, at the same time fry up some bacon in bite size pieces, when the bacon is close throw in the perogies with some chopped onions, fry the perogies until lightly bronzed, serve with sour cream
Jan 4 2014 9:53PM
0 0
profile picture
act.resist
Posts: 8875 - Karma: 513
but you have to have campfire or grill to heat up the charcoals right?
Jan 4 2014 10:01PM
0 0
profile picture
Dr.Dealgood
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 1,352
Negative, you can use it on any stovetop. The cast iron is nice and thick--heats nicely and pretty uniform.

And, yes, you can definitely use it over open fire or hot coals.
Jan 4 2014 10:08PM
0 0
profile picture
LiquorLanch
Posts: 1909 - Karma: 1,046
all you really need is a non flammable surface to heat the coals just not inside. I love cooking in them when im camping they really do make the best food.

As far as cooking, working with basic italian recipes goes a long way as does learning to make sauces and grilling stuff
Jan 4 2014 10:10PM
0 0
profile picture
act.resist
Posts: 8875 - Karma: 513
ok that's good to know. i love cooking with dutch ovens.
Jan 4 2014 10:19PM
0 0
profile picture
GayWolf420
Posts: 36738 - Karma: 111,159
id love to give you a dutch oven
Jan 4 2014 10:47PM
2 0
profile picture
act.resist
Posts: 8875 - Karma: 513
how about i give you one?
Jan 4 2014 10:51PM
2 0
profile picture
DIPED_IN_SAUCE
Posts: 858 - Karma: 2,256
OP try making tacos/ burritos. Just throw some cut up chicken or hamburger meet in a pan with some onions and green pepper cook until meet juice is clear, then throw in a tortilla with some hot-sauce, cheese and lettuce. takes 10 minutes tops. Once you master these you can cook just about anything you want in a pan.
Jan 4 2014 10:51PM
0 0
profile picture
Peachbutt
Posts: 623 - Karma: 601
Click for larger image
Jan 4 2014 11:26PM
0 1
profile picture
Peachbutt
Posts: 623 - Karma: 601
Fuk how do gifs work
Jan 4 2014 11:34PM
0 1
profile picture
Heart
Posts: 6156 - Karma: 3,462
Cooking is, for the most part, very easy. You follow directions and you end up with tasty food. Anyone can make complicated dishes (within reason) if you follow a cookbook.
Jan 5 2014 12:02AM
0 0
profile picture
Scott0_robot0
Posts: 3291 - Karma: 212
crock pot+some meat+some other shit=awesome shit

but for real some pot roast and a jar of pepperincinis cook all day then throw on some french bread with gouda chesse. shit dank
Jan 5 2014 12:14AM
0 0
profile picture
FLBP
Posts: 1794 - Karma: 310
Get a ninja slowcooker, comes with a cook book and you can even saute veggies and shit in there. Thing's dope.
Jan 5 2014 1:09AM
0 0
profile picture
PAuL_Hellar
Posts: 1355 - Karma: 62
if your living in a dorm your basically only cooking ramen noodles or anything else in a microwave

but with a griddle in my dorm room i a lot of bacon egg and cheese sandwiches so you could get one of those
Jan 5 2014 1:17AM
0 0
profile picture
_DUSTY_
Posts: 1097 - Karma: 686
I live in apartment style rez. First year consisted of kd and ramen noodles, I recommend you don't do the same. Now I'm cooking chicken legs, fried steaks, beef stroganoff, pasta and plenty of other meals (with sides such as rice and salad). I feel much more awake to do school work, study and get drunk now that my body is having well balanced meals, also it doesn't take too much extra time depending on the meal because the only time consuming part is prep time and dish washing, you don't need to sit in front of the oven and watching shit cook.

Cook books are awesome, if this thread is still alive in a couple days when I'm back at school I'll give you the name of the one I use.

Jan 5 2014 1:57AM
0 0
profile picture
FLBP
Posts: 1794 - Karma: 310
My favorite cookbook is Cooking for Friends, by Gordon Ramsay. He's all about healthy cooking, in college you'll impress a lot of girls by cooking healthy food, especially if you go get the ingredients from the farmers market with them. You might as well have fun with it, my favorite time of day is cooking dinner with my wife, we usually split a bottle of wine while we're making the food then it makes it that much more fun to eat with a good buzz going.
Jan 5 2014 2:13AM
0 0
profile picture
pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
bacon, ham, and cheese omelets are easy to make and taste great.

varieties of pasta with chicken.

cinnamon rolls really isnt cooking..theyre so easy to make and are delicious
Jan 5 2014 2:43AM
0 0
profile picture
Wompuscat
Posts: 818 - Karma: 380
Eggs in a microwave - Crack an egg in a bowl. Stir it up. Add some cheese. Microwave. Bam. Easy, and not a bad breakfast.

Ramen - Make Ramen. If you can't do this, don't try and learn how to cook.

Also depends on whether you're living in a dorm or not. Canned soup is great, or soup mixes in a bag. Look up some recipes for homemade chicken soup, damn easy and damn good. Look up a recipe for shepherds pie, its a dish my dad makes us thats SUPER good. Mashed potatoes on top, then a mix of wax beans, green beans, hamburger, onions, and corn all mixed in a gravy type sauce, wonderful.

In a dorm, not a whole lot of options. Whatever the fuck you can stick in a microwave. Look up recipes.

Pasta, lots of pasta. Always a good option. One thing I love doing, is getting some cream of mushroom soup, adding in a lot of seasoning like garlic(a lot of garlic) and pepper, some onions, little bit of cream, some stock(beef or chicken) and then throwing in either ground beef or chicken and putting it over linguine pasta. Easy, fast, delicious.

Stir fry is another great thing to learn to make. Lots of veggies, some chicken, soy sauce, bam. Look up some recipes. I also like making a large quantity of white rice, adding in a bunch of soy or terriyaki sauce, sauteeing veggies on the side and then adding them in and mixing em in, and then frying a few eggs and serving them on top. Serve with some sriracha sauce and youre good to go.
Jan 5 2014 3:57AM
0 0
profile picture
SlurmrnHurnyBurn
Posts: 315 - Karma: 765
This is becoming a very good, free, online cookbook. A quick snack would be a quesadilla, soft tortilla shell with cheese ham and assorted veggies. Some of my favourite extras are, peppers, unions, different meats, and tomatoes. Once all your ingredients are between two tortilla shells; place in microwave until cheese is melted.
Jan 5 2014 4:42AM
0 0
profile picture
bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,462
tacos are pretty easy to make. buy shells and heat them up, get whatever ingredients you like, beef, fish, steak, cheese, peppers, corn etc. and blamo you got yourself dinner
Jan 5 2014 5:02AM
0 0
profile picture
Agamemnon
Posts: 310 - Karma: 3,399
Click for larger image
Jan 5 2014 5:13AM
3 0
profile picture
JDA
Posts: 572 - Karma: 566
Get some pasta, chorizo or other meat, and a big bottle of sauce such as tomato and basil. Its really cheap, quick,easy and lots of carbs plus you can buy lots of it to last for multiple meals. Cook pasta for 10 minutes, and sauce with chorizo for 5 minutes then mix together. Serve up and add some grated cheese.
Jan 5 2014 5:16AM
0 0
profile picture
sNaubi
Posts: 1633 - Karma: 2,357
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqQKjo2XU8s

All of those vids, and


all of these

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8netrASUPU
Jan 5 2014 6:51AM
0 0
profile picture
VT_scratch
Posts: 8712 - Karma: 5,622
where do you buy your beef strips? I can never find really thin, quick-fry beef for rice or noodle stir frys
Jan 5 2014 1:33PM
0 0
profile picture
Mama.
Posts: 3066 - Karma: 2,605
Tacos are the best thing in the world. You can put anything on a tortilla and call it a taco. Lololol.
Jan 5 2014 2:52PM
0 0
profile picture
BrandonBecker69
Posts: 99 - Karma: 468
grilled cheese and tomato soup, or any kind of soup, or some chili
Jan 5 2014 3:00PM
0 0
profile picture
slamdunk
Posts: 186 - Karma: 857
I use to be lazy and ate really crap food for a bit like frozen chicken and fries and ready meals etc, until I got the finger out and started cooking good food. Steak is really easy,only takes 10-15minutes to cook, i like to put some dry rub on the meat and put some onion, tomatoes, mushrooms in the pan. Get a cast iron grill, they cook meat really well. Make meatballs and burgers with mince and put them in pasta dishes and you'll have leftovers for lunch the next day.
If you need any motivation just watch some of the bbq pit boys on youtube and you'll be slow cooking shoulders of pork in no time.
Jan 5 2014 3:44PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-4)