How do you make a meal from scratch?

Answer 1

Cooking for the first time can be intimidating, but anyone can do it! There are only a few simple steps.

Cooking "from scratch" means not using any prepared ingredients (like a cake mix or hamburger helper) and not visiting a restaurant.

Step 1: Decide what you want to make. For beginners, a simple dish like spaghetti and sauce or rice crispy treats is great.

Step 2: Find the recipe. You can find a recipe for almost anything online! Use Google or allrecipes.com. Print it out; you'll want it on hand.

Step 3: Read the recipe and make a grocery list; go buy any ingredients you don't already have.

Step 4: If any perishable foods, especially meat or eggs, are going to be used, MAKE SURE you follow safe handling procedures.

Step 5: Read the recipe again so you know it well, then begin! Follow it step by step, and look ahead to future steps. If you need to preheat an oven or refrigerate a marinade, that's best done ahead of time.

Step 6: Grab some friends and enjoy!