Tips Beginner Cooks Should Know | Ryan O'Sullivan

Getting into the kitchen can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re new to it. However, learning to cook is not necessarily stressful if you follow the proper practices and tips. These are some tricks and tips that will help you prepare healthy meals for your family.

1. Read The Full Recipe

Before you start cooking, make sure that you thoroughly read the entire recipe. This will help you feel more confident and will allow you to make the most out of the ingredients. Also, remember that the ingredients list should include all of the necessary items you will need to make the desired meal. Once you have all the ingredients in your kitchen, you can start preparing the food.

You can also check out the comments section of a recipe online to see what other people have to say about the dish. You can learn about various cooking techniques, such as adjusting the number of ingredients or shortening the cooking time there.

2. Make Notes

Although it’s essential to follow the recipe instructions, sometimes it’s also fun to try new things and make the most of your ingredients. For instance, you might want to swap out one or two ingredients in the recipe. Doing so allows you to experiment and make the most of the ingredients that you have available.

As you go through the various steps in the recipe, it’s a good idea to keep track of the adjustments you made. This will help keep you organized and make the most of the ingredients that you have available. Even if you don’t make any changes to the recipe, you can still take note of the adjustments you made. For instance, did you have to increase the cooking time in the oven? Also, did you try a new recipe that you want to try again?

3. Taste As You Cook

One of the most critical steps you should take when preparing a dish is to taste it. Before you start the cooking process, try to do this several times throughout the cooking process. Doing so will allow you to experiment and make the most out of the ingredients that you have available.

4. Substitute When Needed

One of the most fun aspects of cooking is experimenting with new ingredients. Sometimes, substitutes are needed. For instance, if you have a budget, you can usually find a more cost-effective alternative to expensive cuts of meat by preparing pre-cooked chicken or beef. These cuts of meat are significant for quick and easy meals.

5. Watch The Consistency

Besides the flavor, texture can also affect a recipe’s outcome. Many people also believe that consistency is the key to a successful dish. You can adapt a recipe to your liking in order to make for a better consistency.

About Ryan O'Sullivan:

Ryan O'Sullivan, currently a Juris Doctor candidate at Northwestern University's Pritzker School of Law in Chicago, has made remarkable achievements throughout his academic journey. He is actively involved in various capacities at Northwestern, contributing to both the academic and extracurricular spheres.

Ryan serves as a staff member on the prestigious Northwestern University Law Review, showcasing his dedication to legal scholarship and research. Recognized for his outstanding academic performance, Ryan was honored with the Kirkland & Ellis Scholar Award, which acknowledges the highest grade achieved in a 1L course. Moreover, his exceptional persuasive writing skills earned him the esteemed Arlyn Miner Book Award, a distinction bestowed upon only a select few students.

Committed to fostering excellence in legal education, Ryan works as a teaching assistant for a distinguished appellate attorney teaching Communications and Legal Reasoning at Northwestern. Through this role, he actively contributes to shaping the legal acumen of aspiring lawyers.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Ryan is actively engaged in several student-led groups that prioritize open discussions on various societal issues. By participating in these clubs, Ryan actively seeks to make a positive impact on both his immediate community and the broader world.

Furthermore, Ryan is an active member of the Federal Bar Association (FBA) at Northwestern University, where he participates in events and activities organized by the local chapter. This involvement allows him to stay connected with the legal community and gain valuable insights into the legal profession.