Healthy Cooking Fundamentals from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Read a recipe to make your life easier
Keep your food safe from harmful bacteria and disease
Save time and reduce stress by preparing ingredients before you cook
Confidently and safely use a knife and know how to keep it sharp

Use chef skills to build the most flavor in your cooking
Stop your food from burning by using deglazing techniques
Plate, garnish and present a meal that looks as delicious as it tastes
Apply all of these skills by cooking a simple and tasty curry

Read a recipe to make your life easier
Keep your food safe from harmful bacteria and disease
Save time and reduce stress by preparing ingredients before you cook
Confidently and safely use a knife and know how to keep it sharp
Use chef skills to build the most flavor in your cooking
Stop your food from burning by using deglazing techniques
Plate, garnish and present a meal that looks as delicious as it tastes
Apply all of these skills by cooking a simple and tasty curry

Syllabus

Students are oriented and prepared for the course.

Chef Nic gives you an overview of what this course will cover.

Have an understanding of key skills needed to become an excellent home cook.

A chef is anyone who creates food for others. Chef Nic shares how YOU will become a chef throughout this course by looking out for these key things.

Recipes are guidelines rather than rules. Learn how to read and use a recipe when you are cooking.

Food is for healing, not harm. Learn how to keep your food clean and safe throughout the cooking process.

Washing raw ingredients is safer (and often tastier) for us home cooks. Learn how to do it by watching this video.

Learn how chefs measure dry and liquid ingredients.

THE best tip for enjoying the kitchen more: Prepare all of your ingredients first.

This is the #1 habit you can develop to reduce stress in the kitchen.

Learn how to enhance the flavor of your food using salt, spices and other seasonings.

Learn how to build a flavor base to elevate the taste of your food.

That was the fundamentals on how to create a flavor base for your dish using oil and salt. Let's see if you picked up the key bits.

Learn how to remove food particles that are stuck to the bottom of your pan. Those particles are filled with flavor so you want them mixed back into your dish!

Chef Nic introduces to you to the cashew curry recipe. Follow along the next few sections to learn how he applies the theories from Section 2 to this recipe.

Recap how to use oil and salt as tools to draw out and capture flavor in your meal.

There are many options when it comes to cooking oils. Learn which ones to use and avoid.

Salt use can make or break a dish. Learn how to best use salt and to season from a great hight.

Create your dish in layers. Learn how to keep your pan hot while adding ingredients.

Learn when to stir a dish. Chef Nic also shares some tips on pan selection.

Learn how flavor works by activating the various forms of taste: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami.

Learn how to add seasoning along with a few secrets about using garlic.

Learn how to deglaze in action to keep the most flavor in your dish (and keep it from burning).

After building a solid flavor base, we begin cooking our ingredients. What did you learn?

It's time for you to test out your new skills.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches essential kitchen skills that most home cooks lack

Taught by a New York-trained health supportive chef, and founder of the Up Beet Kitchen

Applies skills through a delicious cashew curry recipe

Emphasizes the importance of safety in the kitchen

Covers essential knife skills, cooking techniques, and plating

Reviews summary

Mastering healthy cooking fundamentals

According to learners, this course offers a solid introduction to essential cooking fundamentals. Many students found Chef Nic's teaching style engaging and clear, particularly praising the focus on mise en place and building flavor with salt and oil. The cashew curry recipe serves as a practical demonstration of the techniques taught. While the course is relatively short at around two hours, some experienced cooks felt it was too basic, suggesting it's best suited for beginners looking to build confidence in the kitchen. Some reviewers also noted they wished for more recipes or a deeper dive into specific areas beyond the single dish focus. Overall, it provides actionable skills for home cooks.

Provides a quick, digestible intro to skills.

"I finished the course in an afternoon, it's very efficient and to the point."

"This is a great way to get actionable cooking tips quickly without a huge time commitment."

"I felt a little rushed in some sections; I wanted more detailed explanations on certain techniques."

"The short duration makes it accessible, but limits the scope of topics covered."

Skills applied through cooking one curry dish.

"Using the curry recipe to practice the skills was a great practical approach to reinforce learning."

"The cashew curry was delicious and served as a good test of the techniques taught."

"I wish there were more recipes included to apply the techniques to a wider variety of dishes."

"Focusing on just one recipe might be limiting for some, but it allowed for a deep dive into techniques."

Chef Nic's teaching is clear and calming.

"Chef Nic is a great teacher, very calming and clear in his instructions."

"I found the chef's explanations easy to follow and loved his approach."

"Nic's passion for cooking really comes through, makes learning fun and approachable."

Ideal for those new to cooking fundamentals.

"As a complete beginner in the kitchen, this course gave me much needed confidence to start cooking meals."

"This is a perfect starting point if you've never really learned core cooking techniques before."

"If you already cook regularly, I found this course might be too basic and not offer many new insights."

"The pace and depth are just right for someone starting their cooking journey."

Course teaches key skills like mise en place.

"The mise en place lesson was a game changer for me, it significantly reduced stress in the kitchen."

"I loved learning about building flavor base using oil and salt properly; it improved my cooking immediately."

"The knife skills section was incredibly helpful for a beginner like me, feel much safer now."

"This course provides essential techniques that I can apply to many different dishes, not just curry."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Healthy Cooking Fundamentals with these activities:

Review Basic Cooking Techniques

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Reinforce basic cooking techniques to enhance confidence and lay a solid foundation for more advanced culinary skills.

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Review resources on basic cooking techniques, such as online tutorials or cookbooks.
Practice these techniques through simple recipes or exercises.
Focus on proper knife handling, measurement, and heat control.

Read "The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science"

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of cooking techniques and food science principles.

View The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through... on Amazon

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Read relevant chapters on topics covered in the course, such as flavor building and cooking methods.
Take notes and highlight key concepts.
Apply the techniques and principles discussed in the book to your cooking.

Plan a Three-Course Meal for a Special Occasion

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Develop your meal planning and design skills by creating a cohesive and balanced three-course meal for a special occasion.

Browse courses on Meal Planning

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Consider the dietary preferences, allergies, and tastes of the guests.
Research and select recipes for appetizer, main course, and dessert that complement each other in terms of flavors and textures.
Plan the timing and order of the courses to ensure a smooth dining experience.
Write down the menu, including detailed recipes and any special instructions.

Five other activities

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Practice Knife Skills

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Practice knife skills to improve dexterity and confidence in handling knives, leading to safer and more efficient food preparation.

Browse courses on Knife Skills

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Gather essential knives and ingredients.
Find a safe and stable cutting surface.
Practice basic cuts such as dicing, slicing, and chopping on various vegetables.
Pay attention to proper knife grip and hand placement.
Start with slower movements and gradually increase speed and precision.

Attend a Culinary Workshop on a Specific Technique

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Develop specific cooking techniques under the guidance of experienced chefs, enhancing precision and mastery.

Browse courses on Advanced Techniques

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Research and identify culinary workshops offered in your area that focus on a desired technique.
Enroll in the workshop and attend the sessions regularly.
Follow the instructions of the chef and practice the technique repeatedly.
Ask questions and seek feedback to improve your understanding and execution.
Practice the technique independently to reinforce your skills.

Host a Cooking Night with Friends

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Engage with peers in a hands-on cooking environment, sharing knowledge, ideas, and techniques.

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Plan a menu together, considering everyone's dietary preferences and skill levels.
Divide tasks and responsibilities among participants.
Work together to prepare and cook the dishes.
Share cooking tips and learn from each other's techniques.
Enjoy the meal together and reflect on the experience.

Volunteer at a Community Kitchen

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Gain practical experience in a real-world kitchen setting, contributing to the community while honing cooking skills.

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Contact local community kitchens and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Assist with food preparation, cooking, and serving meals to those in need.
Observe professional chefs and learn from their techniques.
Interact with diverse individuals and gain a broader perspective on food and nutrition.

Create a Cookbook of Your Own Recipes

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Enhance creativity, experimentation, and documentation skills by creating a personalized collection of recipes tailored to your culinary preferences.

Browse courses on Cooking Skills

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Experiment with new flavors and ingredients.
Develop original recipes or modify existing ones.
Organize recipes into categories or sections.
Consider writing detailed instructions, including ingredient measurements, cooking times, and techniques.
Add personal touches, such as notes on recipe inspiration or variations.

Career center

Learners who complete Healthy Cooking Fundamentals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Culinary Instructor

As a Culinary Instructor, you will be educating students on culinary skills and techniques, and a course such as this will further develop your proficiency in core techniques such as deglazing, building flavor bases, and using a variety of ingredients to create well-rounded dishes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Culinary Instructor

Executive Chef

As an Executive Chef, you will use your mastery of culinary techniques and principles to lead and manage a kitchen, making this course an excellent foundational stepping stone. It will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the techniques that you will use to create and manage your menus. The course will teach you how to use salt and oil to enhance the flavors of your food while also teaching you essential knife skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Executive Chef

Sous Chef

A Sous Chef will assist the Head Chef in running the kitchen, working closely alongside them to plan menus and manage the culinary team. A course such as this will help you develop the technical skills that a Sous Chef needs, such as using a knife properly, various knife cuts, and understanding the use of salt, spices, and other seasonings to elevate the taste of ingredients and meals.

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Private Chef

Private Chefs prepare meals for individual clients in their homes, so culinary skills are crucial to producing high-quality dishes. This course will provide you with foundational knowledge of essential techniques such as using salt to enhance flavors and building a flavor base.

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Personal Chef

Personal Chefs cook and prepare meals for individuals and families on a regular basis, making it imperative to have a solid foundation in culinary techniques and food safety. A course like this can teach you the basics of creating flavor bases and using pantry staples to prepare a variety of dishes, helping you meet the needs of different clients.

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Research Chef

Working in Research and Development (R&D) requires a deep understanding of the science behind different cooking techniques and how ingredients interact with each other. This course provides you with foundational knowledge of various techniques such as properly sautéing to achieve a perfect caramelization and browning.

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Food Stylist

Food Stylists prepare and arrange food to make it look visually appealing for advertisements, magazines, and other media. Taking this course will build upon your knowledge of cooking techniques and skills as well as teach you how to properly plate and garnish a meal.

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Food Photographer

Food Photographers need to understand the visual appeal of food as well as how to properly prepare and style it for a photo shoot. This course covers techniques that can enhance the visual appeal of your dishes as well as how to plate and garnish dishes to make them camera-ready.

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Restaurant Manager

Restaurant Managers oversee the daily operations of a restaurant, including the kitchen. A course in Healthy Cooking Fundamentals can provide you with a foundational understanding of essential techniques such as sautéing and deglazing, which would be helpful in effectively managing a kitchen team and ensuring the quality of food served.

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Food Writer

Food Writers need a comprehensive understanding of culinary techniques in order to accurately and effectively describe the dishes and recipes they write about. Taking this course can help expand your knowledge of common techniques and skills in the culinary field and build upon your understanding of how recipes are structured and executed in practice.

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Nutritionist

Nutritionists provide dietary advice and support to individuals and groups, and a course such as this can help enhance your ability to demonstrate methods of healthy cooking techniques. It will help teach you essential cooking skills and knife skills that you could then pass on to your clients to help them build confidence in the kitchen, and encourage healthier eating habits in their everyday lives.

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Health Coach

As a Health Coach, it is important to communicate the importance of healthy eating habits and nutrition. The knowledge of cooking fundamentals such as how to read and use recipes, proper deglazing techniques to keep food from burning, and understanding the layering of ingredients to build flavors; can be used to better educate your clients.

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Caterer

Caterers will oversee the preparation and delivery of food for events, making a course in culinary fundamentals an asset in ensuring food is prepared in a timely and efficient manner. This course in particular may be helpful in demonstrating how to cater to different dietary needs and restrictions as well as how to properly adjust to taste.

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Bartender

Bartenders may need to whip up simple dishes or snacks to pair with drinks. Understanding techniques such as deglazing and building a flavor base can help you enhance the flavors of dishes you create. Additionally, having a foundational knowledge of essential knife skills can be vital in preparing ingredients such as garnishes and fruits.

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Food Scientist

Food Scientists use their understanding of food science to develop new products and improve existing ones. While this course may not be directly related to the field of food science, it can provide a foundational understanding of culinary techniques and skills that could be helpful in certain aspects of the role.

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