Add Some Sizzle

A while ago Esquire Magazine ran a feature called "75 Skills Every Man Should Master". I want to talk about one of the skills they suggest.

Learn to cook meat somewhere other than the grill.

The article suggests that you buy a Julia Child cookbook, but I'm not sure that's the best choice. But the point is - buy a cookbook and learn some recipes. The popular chain bookstores are packed with good cook books. Find something that looks good to you, maybe 10 to 20% beyond your current skill set and go for it! It's also very likely that you have cookbooks around the kitchen. They work too! An alternative to the whole cookbook thing is to go digital. You can pick up some excellent ideas by watching the Food Network, where you can watch someone prepare the meal. Another choice is to use my favorite recipe website www.allrecipes.com

It's okay to fail at first. If you're really new to cooking, put a disclaimer on the meal and say "pizza is on me if this doesn't turn out." Have the pizza place on speed dial, and go for it.

Here are some tips to help you along:

1. Find a recipe. Start by finding a cookbook that looks interesting and find a main dish that looks good.

2. Plan the menu. Start with the main dish and think it through. No meal is complete without vegetables and a carb - like potatoes, rice or pasta. Think about what you want to make and be sure that you have everything you need. For example - consider adding a salad (but make sure you have salad dressing).

3. Do the shopping. Look at the list of ingredients in the recipe, add the items for the rest of the menu and hit the grocery store.

4. Don't be intimidated. Follow the instructions and be confident. Let me give you this advice about using a frying pan. Forget about "high" or the top setting on your dial. Back it off, cook it a little slower.

5. Ask for help. Really. It's not a sin to need some help once in a while.

Master the skill and you'll be better for it.

Stay in touch -

Mark