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John Keith

Even if you know nothing about cooking, this course will give you the skills and confidence to prepare and cook a wide range of meals, all taught in simple, step-by-step videos. From boiling an egg through to cooking a full roast dinner. Cook for yourself, cook for the family. This isn't about becoming a chef, it's about being able to look after yourself and save money.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to the kitchen ABC. This is your starting point if you have never cooked before. This course will guide you with short videos. We don't plan to create chefs, just to give you the basic skills to make simple, tasty meals.

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As an extra lesson, we look at some general foods and 'specials' that are ideal for a Halloween party.

Another family meal. I used separate jars of white lasagne sauce, red lasagne sauce and pasta sheets. Buying them separately reduces the cost by 50% from a 'boxed version'. In a boxed version all you get is white lasagne sauce, red lasagne sauce and past sheets. You throw the box away!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces basic cooking skills to students with no prior experience
Covers a wide range of cooking techniques, from simple to more advanced
Focuses on teaching practical skills rather than theoretical knowledge
Provides step-by-step video demonstrations to make learning easy to follow
Incorporates tips on budgeting and saving money through home cooking
Includes recipes for both classic and modern dishes

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Reviews summary

Mastering basic cooking for confidence

According to learners, this course is a positive and highly effective starting point for true novices in the kitchen. Students consistently praise the clear, step-by-step videos and the patient instruction, which are crucial for building cooking confidence. Many highlight its success in teaching essential kitchen skills and practical recipes like various egg preparations and classic meals such as Spaghetti Bolognese and roast dinners. While some feedback indicates it may be too basic for those with any prior experience, the course excels at its stated goal: equipping students to prepare simple, tasty meals and even save money by cooking at home, making it ideal for lifelong learners.
Emphasizes cooking for self-sufficiency and financial benefits.
"The focus on saving money and cooking for myself resonated deeply. This course has been a game-changer!"
"It's about being able to look after yourself and save money. The emphasis on simple, tasty meals is spot on."
"I also loved the financial aspect mentioned, truly helping me save money by cooking at home."
Teaches classic, approachable dishes for everyday cooking.
"Now I can actually make simple, tasty meals without feeling overwhelmed. It's truly about getting the basic skills right."
"The recipes like Spaghetti Bolognese and Hunters Chicken were great to learn. I particularly enjoyed making the pancakes and flapjacks."
"I'm now making full roast dinners! Who knew? The Yorkshire pudding lesson was surprisingly easy to follow..."
"The recipes selected are simple yet satisfying. I particularly enjoyed learning how to make easy desserts like the cheesecake."
Transforms hesitant cooks into capable home chefs.
"Each lesson built my confidence, especially the egg section which taught me perfect boiled eggs."
"This course has been a game-changer! ...it's exactly what it promises... to give you the confidence to cook."
"My cooking confidence has soared. The step-by-step guidance on things like boiling different types of eggs... was invaluable."
"A truly empowering experience for a non-cook. The instructor's clear explanations and patient teaching style made all the difference."
Exceptionally easy to follow for absolute beginners.
"This course is absolutely fantastic for true beginners! ...the step-by-step videos are so clear and easy to follow."
"The instructor is very patient and explains things well. I particularly enjoyed the practical tips..."
"The instructions are incredibly simple. I came in knowing absolutely nothing and now feel comfortable making several dishes."
"I appreciated the clear instructions and the emphasis on using basic ingredients and tools."
Perfectly tailored for those with no prior cooking experience.
"If you've ever cooked anything before, even boiling water, you might find it too slow."
"I was hoping for a bit more variety or some intermediate techniques after the initial basics, but it really sticks to absolute beginner level."
"I found this course somewhat lacking in depth. It really is just about following a recipe. If you need super basic, it might be fine."
"It’s good for its target audience, but perhaps not for me, who already knew some things."

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 Absolute Beginners Cooking Course with these activities:
Review basic knife skills
Sharpen your knife skills before taking the course to ensure you can safely and efficiently cut and prepare ingredients.
Browse courses on Knife Skills
Show steps
  • Find online tutorials demonstrating basic knife skills.
  • Practice cutting different types of vegetables, such as carrots, onions, and tomatoes, using different knife techniques.
Join an online cooking discussion forum
Engage with a community of fellow home cooks to exchange recipes, share tips, and discuss culinary techniques, expanding your knowledge and fostering a deeper understanding of cooking.
Show steps
  • Identify and join an online cooking forum or discussion group.
  • Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your own experiences and recipes.
  • Connect with other members, exchange ideas, and gain insights from their cooking journeys.
Practice making different types of eggs
Solidify your egg-cooking skills by practicing various methods to expand your culinary repertoire.
Show steps
  • Follow the course videos and practice making fried eggs, boiled eggs, poached eggs, omelettes, and scrambled eggs.
  • Experiment with different seasonings and toppings to enhance the flavor of your eggs.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Document your cooking experiments
Enhance your understanding of cooking by documenting your culinary experiments, providing you with a valuable resource for future reference.
Browse courses on Recipe Development
Show steps
  • Choose a recipe and prepare the dish, taking detailed notes on the ingredients, steps, and any modifications you make.
  • Take high-quality photos of the dish, capturing its presentation and texture.
  • Write a blog post or create a social media post sharing your recipe, photos, and any insights you gained during the process.
Attend a local cooking class
Deepen your practical cooking skills by participating in a hands-on cooking class, expanding your knowledge and techniques beyond the course.
Browse courses on Cooking Techniques
Show steps
  • Research local cooking classes that align with your interests.
  • Enroll in a class and actively participate in the cooking demonstrations and hands-on activities.
  • Take notes, ask questions, and engage with the instructor and fellow participants.
Become a mentor for aspiring home cooks
Solidify your understanding of cooking by sharing your knowledge and experience with aspiring home cooks, providing guidance, encouragement, and support in their culinary journeys.
Browse courses on Community Involvement
Show steps
  • Identify opportunities to mentor or volunteer in cooking-related communities.
  • Provide guidance and support to aspiring home cooks, sharing your knowledge and techniques and encouraging their progress.
  • Reflect on your own cooking journey and identify areas where you can provide valuable insights and support to others.

Career center

Learners who complete Absolute Beginners Cooking Course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 18 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Absolute Beginners Cooking Course.
Used as a textbook by culinary professionals, this book offers a thorough grounding in professional cooking principles and techniques. It's essential for those seeking a deep understanding of classical and contemporary professional kitchen practices. It serves as a comprehensive reference for aspiring chefs and culinary students.
Focuses on the four fundamental elements of cooking, explaining the science behind how they work and providing a framework for improving any dish. It's crucial for deepening understanding by focusing on principles rather than just recipes. It's a valuable reference for cooks looking to elevate their skills.
Applies a scientific approach to classic American dishes, explaining techniques and debunking common cooking myths. It's excellent for deepening understanding by illustrating the 'why' behind successful cooking methods. It serves as both a cookbook and a valuable reference for improving practical skills.
From the renowned restaurant Noma, this book provides an in-depth guide to fermentation techniques. It's highly relevant for exploring contemporary culinary topics and advanced techniques used in modern gastronomy. It's a valuable resource for those looking to experiment with fermentation. is more suitable for advanced cooks. This book valuable reference tool. This book is commonly used by industry professionals.
Known for its straightforward approach and versatility, this book provides a comprehensive guide to cooking with numerous variations. It's ideal for building a broad understanding of cooking fundamentals and serves as a practical reference for everyday cooking. The 20th-anniversary edition includes updated information.
Offers detailed guidance and recipes for a range of baked goods, focusing on building confidence in baking. It's highly relevant for those interested in deepening their understanding of baking techniques and troubleshooting. Published recently, it reflects contemporary approaches to home baking.
Definitive guide to traditional Italian home cooking, emphasizing technique and the understanding of ingredients. It's crucial for gaining a deep understanding of a specific, influential cuisine and provides foundational knowledge for Italian dishes. It's a highly respected classic and a valuable reference.
Focuses on the fundamentals of bread baking using simple ingredients and techniques. It's highly relevant for those interested in deepening their understanding of baking, specifically artisan breads. It provides detailed guidance for mastering a specific and popular area of cooking.
Explores the history and science behind classic American desserts, offering meticulously tested recipes. It's great for deepening understanding of baking techniques and the cultural history of American sweets. It's a valuable reference for bakers interested in both tradition and precision.
Showcases vibrant and innovative vegetarian cooking with a focus on fresh ingredients and bold flavors. It's excellent for exploring contemporary approaches to vegetable-centric dishes and broadening culinary horizons beyond traditional Western cuisine. It's a popular and influential book in modern cooking.
Provides a deep dive into cooking with a wok, covering techniques and a wide range of recipes. It's excellent for deepening understanding of a specific cooking vessel and its associated methods, particularly relevant for Asian cuisines. It serves as a comprehensive reference for wok cooking.
Focuses on building core cooking skills and intuitive cooking through foundational techniques and adaptable recipes. It's excellent for gaining a broad understanding of essential cooking methods and developing confidence in the kitchen. It provides a strong basis for further culinary exploration.
A follow-up to Plenty, this book continues to explore innovative vegetarian dishes with a focus on vegetables prepared in various ways. It's relevant for contemporary cooking trends and offers further depth in vegetable-focused cuisine. It serves as additional reading for those who enjoyed Plenty.
Provides accessible recipes with bold flavors, focusing on dishes that are simple to prepare. It's good for exploring contemporary flavor profiles and techniques without requiring extensive time or expertise. It offers additional reading for those interested in modern, accessible Mediterranean-inspired cooking.
A classic for a reason, this book provides a comprehensive guide to traditional French cooking techniques and recipes. It's fundamental for understanding a cornerstone of Western culinary tradition and offers a solid foundation in basic to advanced techniques. It's more valuable as a foundational text than a contemporary reference.
Explores a more flexible and personal approach to cooking, encouraging improvisation and utilizing modern tools. It's relevant for contemporary perspectives on home cooking and moving beyond strict adherence to recipes. It offers a different viewpoint on developing cooking skills.

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