Good Basic Cooking for Men (and Even Women)

1  Full size cover, click here

2  Some key points, click here

3  Table of contents, click here

4  Sample recipe for making tea biscuits, click here

Some Key Points

For many years good cooking has been something I always admired in others. While I tried many cookbooks, there was always something missing. I could not get consistent results. With my wife’s help, I found there were often instructions not included in the recipe and I had insufficient knowledge about cooking times, temperatures, utensils and ingredients.

My objective in writing this book is to create a cookbook with detailed instructions (and some of the “secrets”) that everyone can use to make an appetizing meal every time. I jokingly address this book to men because there is this fallacy that “men can’t cook”. Can’t even boil an egg!

With this book, I hope to give men (and yes women, as some of them have not been trained by their mothers) the knowledge to succeed in cooking good meals every time.

It is important to remember that cooking is not an exact science. In some cases, ingredients can be left out or varied without damaging the recipe. Many of the ingredients used depend on your taste preferences and those of your guests. Also, a little bit of spice often goes a long way.

With all recipes it is better to be cautious at first. Once you become more comfortable you can take more latitude. Even if you think you know how to prepare a given recipe, check it before starting.

An area of importance for new cooks is the large variety of prepared foods that are available in the grocery stores. These can often be used in conjunction with the recipes in this book to help you prepare attractive meals. Always try them yourself before serving them to others.

Often for best results cooking times will vary slightly. It is extremely important to check the ingredients, as the nutrient quantities for prepared foods may be high in fats, carbohydrates and sodium.

Because of the importance now placed on healthful eating, I have provided most recipes with health tips. In each recipe, health tips are highlighted with “bold and italics”.

There is much controversy over just what we should or should not eat. In providing “health tips”, I have used the following criteria:

• keep the total fats low
• keep saturated fats low and avoid if possible trans fats
• keep cholesterol low
• keep sugars and carbohydrates low
• use more vegetables and fruits
• use small portions of meat
• keep salt and sodium levels low

You should become familiar with recommended nutrient levels. Most bookstores have good reference books. Also, read all nutrient information displayed on the packaged food products.

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Sample of the Recipe for Making Tea Biscuits

Pay close attention to ingredients, cooking time and temperature.

What You Need (for 12 to 15 biscuits)

2 cups white sifted flour
4 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg *use a small egg
1/4 cup shortening (at room temperature)
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk, after adding egg to cup *use skim milk or 1%

Preparation Method

1  Combine in bowl, flour, baking powder, salt and shortening. Using a fork, mix to coarse crumb texture (3 to 4 minutes).

2  Add the egg/milk to bowl and stir until dough will form a ball.

3  Place ball on lightly floured surface (ie, bread board) and gently fold and knead with the palms of your hands 10 to 12 times.

4  Remove ball, lightly spread more flour on surface and flatten ball with hands. Cover with waxed paper and flatten with rolling pin to a thickness of 3/8 to 1/2 inch.

5  Using a 2 1/2 inch diameter cutter, remove batter circles and place on a baking sheet. Leave spaces between cut portions.

6  After initial cuts, form batter into a ball, flatten and cut again.

7  Place baking sheet in center of 400 F preheated oven. Cooking time is 12 to 15 minutes.

8  When done, remove and place biscuits on cooling rack.

Good Ideas

1  Biscuits are done when golden brown. If unsure, remove one and check the center for doneness. With practice you will be able to recognize doneness by color.

2  If baking sheet is partly stained, cover it with aluminum foil.

3  Use the exact ingredients and mix gently. Two knifes with a cutting action can also be used to break up the shortening.

4  Preheat oven before mixing ingredients.

5  Don’t use too much flour during flattening. Dipping cutter in flour prevents batter sticking to it.

6  Serve warm or store cooled in an airtight container. You can also freeze them.

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