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Maggy Cooks

In this course, we’ll take a culinary journey that promises to enchant your taste buds and ignite your passion for all things delicious. This course is for you if you’ve ever felt intimidated by the idea of cooking more interesting, exciting dishes and experimenting with flavor and seasoning. You don’t need to be a professional chef to cook healthy, delicious meals at home.

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In this course, we’ll take a culinary journey that promises to enchant your taste buds and ignite your passion for all things delicious. This course is for you if you’ve ever felt intimidated by the idea of cooking more interesting, exciting dishes and experimenting with flavor and seasoning. You don’t need to be a professional chef to cook healthy, delicious meals at home.

I believe that practice makes perfect, so I’m going to guide you through a number of recipes that simplify essential cooking techniques, so you can learn them in real time. The course consists of 20 recipes that I feel span the spectrum of food types from meats, to poultry and fish dishes- as well as vegetarian options and desserts. This course is designed for anyone, from beginners to food enthusiasts. I’m available 7 days a week and I’m happy to answer any questions you have, so please don’t hesitate to message me directly if you need anything and I'll do my best to respond to you as quickly as possible.

We're going to embrace the power of simple, wholesome ingredients and show you how to transform them into extraordinary meals. From quick and easy weeknight wonders, to show-stopping dishes that'll impress your guests. Cooking delicious food doesn’t have to be complicated, I want you to enjoy the process. In this course, I’m going to take you through some basic techniques that you can apply to any recipe moving forward.

I chose these dishes for more than their incredible flavors and variety. These recipes give me an opportunity to show you how to manage a kitchen and work with a broad spectrum of kitchen utensils and measuring tools. This course isn’t just going to show you how to create healthier, more exciting meals. By the time you’ve completed it, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to prepare delicious meals - From knife skills to deconstructing a chicken - this course prepares you to get creative and build your own recipes.

So, join me in this exploration of taste, aroma, and the sheer pleasure of cooking.

Let's make every meal an occasion.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • I’m going to guide you through a number of recipes that simplify essential cooking techniques, so you can learn them in real time!
  • Section 1: we’ll talk about essential kitchen equipment and supplies. i’ll also walk you through basic knife skill techniques.
  • Section 2: chicken basics. you’ll learn how to break down a chicken and how to prepare an essential stock.
  • Section 3: pasta. you’ll learn how to make fresh pasta and i’ll guide you through a recipe to make delicious butternut ravioli.
  • Section 4: dough. you’ll learn to make an easy bread dough. then, i’ll show you how to use it to create a delicious, cast iron pizza.
  • Section 5: pan roasting. i’ll show you how to pan roast meat to perfection and side dishes to teach you what to serve them with.
  • Section 6: roasting. in this section, we’ll look at roasting and how to enhance the flavor of root vegetables.
  • We’ll consider colorful presentation to make your meals more visually appealing. you’ll also learn to make a flavorful pesto.
  • Section 7: simple sauces. in this section, you’ll learn an easy recipe for a healthier hollandaise sauce and we’ll cook a delicious salmon fillet.
  • I’ll teach you about blanching, an essential cooking technique that makes the most of young, fresh vegetables.
  • Next, we’ll learn how to customize a homemade mayonnaise to fit your dish. lastly, i’’ll show how to make a wonderful blueberry compote to pair with pancakes.
  • Section 8: playing with texture. in this lesson, we’ll make the most of simple ingredients and get creative with texture.
  • Section 9: tasty midweek meals. this section will run you through a few easy, delicious meals.. we’ll focus of getting maximum flavor with minimal effort!
  • Section 10: dinner party idea. i’ll teach you how to slow cook meat until tender and how to achieve a crispy pork crackling.
  • You’ll also learn to make easy, flavorful pickled vegetables!
  • Lastly, we’ll create a decadent chocolate ganache tart to satisfy your sweet tooth!
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Syllabus

Introduction
INTRODUCTION/COURSE ORIENTATION
SUPPLY LIST
KNIFE SKILLS
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Teaches cooking basics from scratch, which is a good investment in developing solid skills
May be more appropriate for beginners than experienced chefs
Focuses on key tools and techniques that build a firm culinary foundation
Covers a wide variety of foundational foods and flavors, including vegetarian options
Instructor provides prompt and direct support and feedback, facilitating learning
Well-rounded course structure equips learners with versatile culinary skills

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Reviews summary

Mastering healthy home cooking techniques

According to learners, this course is a game-changer for home cooks, particularly those new to more involved kitchen tasks. Students consistently praise the clear and practical instruction on fundamental techniques like knife skills, breaking down a chicken, and perfecting pan roasting. The diverse range of healthy and delicious recipes, from pasta to desserts, is highly appreciated. While the course is exceptionally well-suited for beginners and enthusiasts looking to build a solid foundation, a few more experienced students noted that some early sections felt too basic for their prior knowledge. The instructor's responsive and encouraging approach is also a frequently highlighted strength.
Features a responsive and encouraging teaching style.
"The instructor is super responsive to questions, which is a huge plus."
"The instructor's enthusiasm is contagious."
"The instructor's supportive attitude made me feel confident."
"The instructor's personal touch and quick responses to messages make a big difference."
Provides a wide array of healthy, flavorful dishes.
"I've already made the butternut ravioli and the pan-roasted duck – both were delicious and surprisingly achievable."
"The recipes are diverse and offer a good range of techniques... The crispy pork belly recipe was a revelation!"
"The variety of dishes, from vegetarian to dessert, keeps it interesting. This course makes healthy cooking fun."
"I've cooked almost everything in here and my family loves it."
Perfect for new or intimidated home cooks.
"As someone who always felt intimidated by cooking beyond simple pasta, this has been a game-changer."
"Perfect for beginners! I've always struggled in the kitchen, but this course broke everything down so well."
"The course has good content, especially for true beginners."
"This course makes even complex dishes feel easy."
Offers excellent guidance on core cooking techniques.
"The instructor's approach to teaching fundamental knife skills was incredibly clear, and the 'breaking down a chicken' section was revolutionary for me."
"I finally understand how to really use my kitchen tools. The knife skills module alone was worth the price."
"The detailed explanations and practical approach to techniques like making fresh pasta were excellent."
"This course stood out for its clarity and practical application, especially the focus on basic techniques you can apply to many dishes."
Some older videos show their age.
"My only minor critique is that some of the video quality in the older sections felt a little less polished than the newer ones, but it didn't detract significantly from the learning."
"My main suggestion would be to update the overall production quality for a more modern feel, but content is king here."
"Some of the older videos really show their age."
May be too basic for seasoned cooks.
"I found some of the earlier sections a bit too basic for my taste, as I already had some cooking experience."
"I was hoping for something more advanced. For someone who already knows how to handle a knife... this felt like reviewing old ground."
"Not for experienced cooks. While the basics are covered well, the recipes are simple and lack the 'excitement' promised."

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 Home Cooking: Recipes and Techniques with these activities:
Review the principles of knife skills
Knife skills will be a recurring theme of this course, to avoid accidents and injuries when using a knife, it is recommended you practice knife skills before the course begins.
Show steps
  • Read the provided online resource on knife safety.
  • Find a guide on Grip and Holding a Knife and practice.
  • Practice slicing, dicing, and chopping.
Learn about different cooking techniques
This course covers multiple cooking techniques, to gain a better understanding of these techniques find resources online that provide a more in-depth look at them.
Browse courses on Cooking Techniques
Show steps
  • Search online for resources on cooking techniques.
  • Watch videos or read articles about different cooking techniques.
  • Practice using different cooking techniques.
Join a cooking group or forum
Discuss topics covered during the course with others taking it, joining a cooking group or forum will give you an opportunity to share what you are learning, help each other with any difficulties encountered, and answer each other's questions.
Show steps
  • Find a cooking group or forum that is relevant to the course.
  • Introduce yourself and share your goals.
  • Participate in discussions and ask questions.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Attend a cooking workshop
Reinforce what is learned during the course by attending a cooking workshop, this activity is especially helpful if there is a particular technique you are struggling with.
Show steps
  • Find a cooking workshop that is relevant to the course.
  • Sign up for the workshop.
  • Attend the workshop and participate actively.
Create a recipe binder
This course has multiple recipes, to prevent misplacing them and for easy access, take time during the course to create a recipe binder to store them in.
Show steps
  • Acquire a binder.
  • Create a cover page or title page for the binder.
  • For the first section, create a list of all the recipe names that will be stored in the binder, leaving enough space for additional pages to be added as more recipes are learned.
  • Leave a few blank pages at the end of the binder to add additional recipes later.
Enter a cooking competition
Showcase what you have learned by entering a cooking competition, it will help to build confidence and give you a chance to receive feedback from experienced chefs.
Show steps
  • Find a cooking competition that is relevant to the course.
  • Enter the competition.
  • Prepare for the competition by practicing your recipes.
  • Compete in the competition.
  • Win the competition.
Plan a dinner party
This course will teach you how to prepare a multi-course dinner party, this project combines everything you will learn and will give you a chance to showcase how much you have learned to friends and family.
Show steps
  • Create a guest list.
  • Choose a menu that includes a variety of dishes from the course.
  • Plan the layout of your dining room.
  • Prepare the food ahead of time.

Career center

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

Reading list

We've selected 50 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 Healthy Home Cooking: Recipes and Techniques.
This comprehensive textbook cornerstone for culinary education, widely used in professional programs. It provides a thorough grounding in fundamental cooking techniques and principles, including essential information on kitchen equipment, its uses, and safety. While the recipes are often scaled for professional kitchens, the foundational knowledge on equipment is highly relevant for anyone serious about cooking, from aspiring chefs to dedicated home cooks. It serves as an excellent reference tool for understanding standard kitchen practices and the equipment they require.
This foundational textbook widely used in nutrition and dietetics programs. It provides a comprehensive overview of the nutrition care process, covering assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and monitoring and evaluation. It is an essential reference for students and professionals, offering evidence-based guidelines for nutritional care across the lifespan and for various conditions.
Another classic cookbook, The Fannie Farmer Cookbook has been around for over 100 years. It contains over 3,500 recipes, including both classic and modern dishes. The book is well-written and includes clear instructions, making it a good choice for cooks of all levels.
Focusing specifically on knives, arguably the most essential kitchen tool, this book provides detailed guidance on selecting, sharpening, and using various types of knives. Strong knife skills are foundational for efficient and safe food preparation. is crucial for anyone looking to build or improve their basic kitchen skills and gain a deeper understanding of this critical piece of equipment.
Provides practical, science-backed advice on choosing, using, and maintaining a wide array of kitchen tools and appliances. It's an excellent resource for gaining a broad understanding of essential kitchen equipment for both novice and experienced home cooks. The book includes reviews and recommendations, making it a useful guide for making informed purchasing decisions. It's highly relevant for anyone looking to optimize their home kitchen setup and understand their tools better.
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.
Another dedicated guide to knife skills, this book offers comprehensive instructions and step-by-step photographs for mastering various cutting techniques. Developed in collaboration with a renowned knife manufacturer, it provides detailed information on knife selection, maintenance, and usage. This is an excellent resource for developing fundamental kitchen skills and understanding the importance of sharp, well-maintained knives.
Another valuable contribution from a leading author in food safety, this book integrates the scientific basis of food safety with the practical aspects of implementing standards and management systems. It strong resource for both academic study and professional application.
This online course offers a structured approach to meal planning, with video tutorials, downloadable resources, and a community forum. It is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of meal planning and support participants in implementing it in their daily lives.
Food fraud growing contemporary issue with significant implications for both public health and the economy. explores the various aspects of food fraud, including its detection and prevention. It is highly relevant for understanding current challenges in food safety.
Provides a comprehensive guide to meal planning and nutrition for individuals seeking to improve their health and performance. It covers topics such as macronutrient ratios, meal timing, and nutrient needs for different fitness goals.
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.
Explores the critical link between nutrition and sustainable food systems, addressing the environmental and social impacts of food production and consumption. It's essential for understanding contemporary issues in global nutrition.
This comprehensive cookbook contains over 2,000 recipes for a wide range of dishes. Bittman's writing is clear and concise, and he provides helpful tips and techniques throughout the book. great choice for cooks of all levels, but it is especially helpful for beginners.
From the CIA specifically focuses on the essential tools used by professional chefs. It covers the selection, use, and care of a range of equipment, offering insights into how professionals utilize their tools effectively. It's a good resource for understanding the core equipment found in a professional kitchen and developing proficiency in its use.
Developed by a renowned culinary institute, this book covers the foundational techniques of classic French cuisine, with significant emphasis on proper knife skills as a core component. It's similar to 'The Professional Chef' in its comprehensive approach to classic techniques and is often used in culinary education. It serves as a strong reference for traditional knife work within a classical framework.
Focuses on the practical application and compliance aspects of food safety management programs. It useful resource for professionals responsible for implementing and maintaining food safety systems, including those based on HACCP and other standards. It provides valuable insights into best practices in the industry.
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.
An earlier compilation of Pépin's foundational techniques, this book remains a classic reference for essential culinary skills, including detailed knife work. While the 'New Complete Techniques' is updated, this version is still highly valuable for its clear instruction and comprehensive coverage of traditional methods. It is considered a classic in the field.
Provides a comprehensive guide to fundamental cooking skills and techniques, often highlighting the specific tools and equipment needed for each task. It's a practical resource for building a solid foundation in cooking and understanding the proper use of essential kitchen equipment. It's well-suited for beginners and those looking to refine their basic skills.
Offers a highly visual approach to learning knife skills with numerous illustrations demonstrating various cuts and techniques. It's a practical guide that helps solidify understanding through clear visual examples. While it may not delve into broader culinary concepts, it excels as a focused reference for knife work. The illustrations make it accessible for learners of all levels.
This handbook offers evidence-based guidance for health professionals working with athletes. It covers timely research and practical information on fueling for performance, recovery, and various sports. It key reference in the field of sports nutrition.
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.
This comprehensive textbook delves into the microbial aspects of food safety, covering pathogens, spoilage organisms, and beneficial microbes. It is essential for a deep understanding of the biological hazards in food and is typically used in undergraduate and graduate food science and microbiology programs.
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.
Drawing on the expertise of the renowned culinary institution, this book covers a wide range of cooking techniques with detailed instructions and illustrations, including essential knife skills. It serves as a comprehensive reference for classic techniques. is useful for gaining a broad understanding of how knife skills fit into traditional culinary practices.
A foundational text in French cuisine for English-speaking cooks, this book meticulously details classic French techniques and provides a deep understanding of traditional methods. It's a classic that helps solidify understanding of fundamental culinary principles through the lens of French cooking. While older, the techniques remain highly relevant.
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.
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.
Risk analysis fundamental concept in modern food safety management. explains the principles and application of risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication in the context of food safety. It is relevant for advanced students and professionals involved in food safety decision-making.
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.
While not exclusively about knife skills, this book emphasizes foundational cooking techniques, with knife work being a crucial component of many. Ruhlman's approach explains the 'hows and whys' behind techniques, deepening understanding within a broader culinary context. It's valuable for those looking to connect knife skills to overall cooking proficiency. is considered influential and adds depth by integrating knife skills into essential cooking processes.
Provides a thorough understanding of the principles and practices of sanitation in food processing and food service environments. It practical guide for ensuring hygienic conditions and preventing contamination, suitable for students and professionals alike. It serves as a key reference for implementing prerequisite programs for HACCP.
This textbook offers a broad introduction to the principles of human nutrition, covering basic biology, nutrient requirements, and the impact of nutrition on health and disease. It's suitable for students new to the field and provides a solid base for further study.
Known for its straightforward approach and versatile recipes, this book provides a solid foundation in basic cooking techniques and a wide variety of dishes. It's ideal for gaining a broad understanding of everyday food preparation and building confidence in the kitchen. It serves as a practical reference for a wide range of cooking needs.
Beyond technical systems, food safety relies heavily on human behavior and organizational culture. focuses on the importance of building a strong food safety culture within organizations, offering practical strategies for influencing behavior and improving food safety performance.
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.
Provides a focused look at various knife techniques for different types of food. It's a practical guide for those who want to deepen their understanding of specific cuts and applications. The clear explanations and targeted approach make it a valuable resource for refining existing skills.
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.
While covering a range of essential cooking skills, this book includes detailed sections on knife techniques, presented with the rigorous testing and clear explanations characteristic of America's Test Kitchen. It's a practical resource for home cooks looking to build fundamental skills, including proficient knife work. It helps solidify understanding through clear, tested methods.
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.

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