I made fresh King Salmon last night with a nice lemon-butter and dill sauce. It was delicious. And you know what? I’ve never cooked it before. And you know what else? I didn’t look anything up on how to cook it. Do you know how I did that? No bragging…just basic principles picked up along the way.
A couple of books come to mind that have helped me grasp a decent understanding of how some things work in the kitchen:
Alton Brown’s I’m just here for the food
and
Michael Ruhlman’s Ratio
I’d love to give these two books away to a randomly drawn commenter. All you’ve got to do is leave a comment expressing that thing you would really like to learn how to cook. One comment per person please…and a random drawing will be held tomorrow.
So, what’s the ingredient, dish, type of food, etc.. that you’d like to learn how to cook?
I’d love to learn how to make a great cake. People beg me for my bread and pie recipes, but I cannot make a nice, moist, light cake to save my life.
Ummm… how about dinner! I can bake like no one’s buisness but when it comes to cooking dinner I’m lost. Thankfully I have a lovely husband that doesn’t mind cooking and I get assigned to clean up and dessert! I would, however, love to be able to cook dinner just once without having to holler for him half way through when something is on fire… yeah, that’d be nice.
I guess I’d like to learn how to cook baby back ribs so that they were tender and flavorful! I can get one but not the other. Or clam chowder…It never tastes anywhere near the best I’ve ever had. Thanks for the giveaway, and we just had your Tikka Masala recipe AGAIN last night…I can see how you are stuck on it! It’s incredible. Thanks for sharing!
I would love to learn to bake… ANYTHING… breads, pastas, desserts… I’ve never really tried… perfect portions scare me…
I would love to be able to step away from my cooking “rut”. The same items cooked in the same way week after week. My kids are older now and actually wanting to try new things, so it’s time to branch out from my stand-by, kid-friendly menu.
I really would like how to cook ribs! Not just regular ‘ol ribs, but the stick-to-your-guts-finger-lickin’-good kind of ribs.
I would love to learn how to roast a chicken, turkey, etc., without drying it out or having it be undercooked! I have tried without much success. Maybe I’ll get it right this year!
Fried chicken — like my mom makes. Mine comes out too dry.
I luuuuuuuv to cook! Trying to think of something I would like to learn to cook…..being gluten free, and being new to the computer world….have discovered soooo many amazing gluten free recipes this past 6 mths.
I learned to make gluten free waffles, samosas, french bread, granola – all delicious and gluten free! My next quest….gluten free puff pastry. Is there such a thing? Love your pictures of the kids! Ina from the Westcoast
Sandwich bread and crusty rolls…
I would love to learn how to get everything on the table at the same, perfect hot temperature. Always it ends up that the side dishes are cold and the main dishes are late and it just never ends up right. I know that’s not quite what you were aiming for, though. Answer #2 is pie crust (and pie). I’ve tried and tried and tried and it’s never good and never pretty and often the filling is too runny or I’ve messed up somehow.
believe it or not…. a simple poached egg…..
i can cook a zillion other things, but a nice poached egg, that all stays together with fully cooked white and runny yolk, eludes me
thanks for the giveaway – good luck to everyone!
Salmon… yum! There are so many things I want to learn to cook. But, I’d really like to know what to do with a pomegranate. HELP!
Blessings,
Lucy
Great breads…I have never made a really decent loaf of bread.
I LOVE Alton. I have a very scientific mind so he is right up my alley.
I want to learn how to cook on the grill. For some reason, that is the one thing that intimidates me a little bit.
I want to make my own pasta – after seeing your demo on Pioneer Woman – I feel I am ready to tackle that challenge. I generally cook by feeling – I usually have a vague idea of what I want to accomplish and then I just kind of go with it. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.
Breads, all kind of breads. I can do them, but I want to know HOW and WHY, and be freed from recipes. How do they work on humid days? dry days? When I don’t have just the right ingredients? When I substitute flavors?
And I’ll second the comment above about not drying out a turkey when I roast it. Chicken and beef are no problem, but turkey? Not so much…
I’m afraid of cooking fish for some reason…I’d like to learn how to bake it in the oven.
Well, it *was* lasagna but I did that yesterday. I think I’d love to learn a good chicken soup next.
I would like to learn how to cook the bourbon chicken from Chao Cajun… Crazy right. It’s mall food yet, it is so good. I’ve tried my hand at it a couple times…Dreadful disasters each time.
I’d love to be able to make falafel–it’s one of my favorite foods!
Chicken. It comes out tough or not done enough, and I’ve been trying to cook chicken for 40 years. Help!
I would like to learn to cook fish some other way than breaded and deep fried (It’s a Southern thing)and my husband still will eat it and actually enjoy it.
BREAD
I’d like to be able to cook sauces….such as simple pan sauces that would go with grilled or pan fried chicken or steak, to even stuff like cream sauce, hollindaise (oh, goodness, can’t spell that one), tomato sauce. I love Alton Brown, his explanations of the science behind the cooking as well as the cooking are just awesome.
ceviche, I go to this wonderful hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant and the ceviche is so delicious but it’s not near my house. Sometimes in the summer on really hot days I would just like to have some ceviche for dinner with a refreshing mojito.
I would love to be able to cook a really good chicken cutlet. I know that sounds odd, but I usually find them too dry and bland. The only way I know how to make them any good is by breading them and/or frying!
I would love to learn how to make pasta. I attempted once, and it didn’t turn out so great…
Bread and pastries!
I am a pretty good cook and a decent baker, if I can say so. But I would love to learn how to decorate cakes. I think that would be great. Alton is my favorite on Food TV, but Duff Goldman runs an extreme close second.
I’d love to learn to make homemade pasta.
i want to learn how to grill a steak…mine always turn out too dry or tough no matter how long i leave them on the grill!
Fish. I’m not a salmon lover but I do like other types and have never made any fresh fish that I would want to eat again. Thanks for the chance to win these books. . .I saw Alton Brown’s at the library the other day but didn’t pick it up. . .may have to next time after your recommendation
I would love to know how to make a melt in your mouth tender steak. We grill steak often and it’s always good, but it’s never as tender as at our favorite local bar & grill. There’s is the best!
I’d love to not be afraid to try new things (like Salmon!) and get out of my cooking rut!
I’d like to learn how to cook fish and seafood. Meat/poultry doesn’t intimidate me, but fish and seafood do. I lived in Japan for 2 1/2 years and saw and tasted all sorts of delicious things from the sea. It would be great to be able to enjoy fish and seafood at home instead of only eating it when I am at a restaurant.
Bread and meat both elude me.
I would like to learn to cook chicken breast without it getting dry…Thanks for the contest!
Anything quick and easy!
I’d love to know how to cook beef properly. Last time I made it – it was hard as a board until I boiled it for hours. There HAS to be a better (read faster) way.
I want to learn to more about yeast breads. I’m strangely competent at cooking (I say strangely because I’ve been able to do crazy things like make lemon meringue pies from scratch since I was 14, without anyone really helping me)…but yeast breads never seem to turn out for me.
Also, I’ve heard that ratio book is AMAZING.
Alton is one of my husband’s favorites! There are a few things I’d really love to learn how to make, because anytime I have tried – FAIL. One being meringues. Another would be my own pasta. Oh and I’d love to learn how to decorate cakes, fondant and all.
I’d really love to learn to cook wild game that tastes good.
I would love to learn to throw various fresh vegetables and herbs together naturally to make delicous things.
I’d really like to know how cook authentic mexican food. The sauces intimidate me and when I’ve tried in the past, they haven’t turned out so great.
I need to learn how to cook meat. All kinds. I don’t like very many types of meat and really hardly eat any at all, BUT I’m surrounded by friends and family who love it. So if I want to cook more often for them (which I do), I’ve got to learn how to cook all types of meat really well.
I’ve never made cheesecake before. It would be great to learn how to make it!
I’d love to learn how to grill a steak to perfection!
I want to learn how to make good sushi, because I adore sushi, but it is too expensive to go out and eat it. Even just California rolls. Something I can make at home and satisfy my craving for wasabi.
Am I allowed to say anything? Because that’s what i’d like to learn, anything…Well, it’s your blog, so i’m asking…but it’s my answer, so i’m going with it…ANYTHING.
is it obvious i could use some help in the kitchen department?
beignets!
Kahlua pork
I want to perfect the roast. It’s my husband’s favorite, and everytime I cook one something is just off. Be it too tough, not flavorfull, overcooked, undercooked. Argh!
You know, I’d love to learn how to cook Indian food. We love the stuff but there are no good restaurants around us that have it. We’re from so cal so the lack of decent food here in south central Texas will probably drive me to learn how to cook a larger variety of foods.
Chicken Cordon Bleu.
I’ve always wanted to know my way around sauces much better. I can knock out some decent cooking, but a great sauce can elevate something from ordinary to noteworthy.
I make lovely, fluffy almost-perfect biscuits but can’t cook a decent pan of cornbread to save my life. It’s positively disgraceful to be a good Southern girl and have to buy the Jiffy corn muffin mix. I adore Alton Brown and the Ratio book looks terrific — would love to be your winner!
I would love to learn to cook good Thai and Indian food.
I’d really love to learn how to cook fish. Or most proteins, really. After being vegetarian during the years when I really learned how to cook, I just don’t know how to cook them properly…
I would love to learn to make sushi. It’s my new love. I know it would be hard, but I think it would be fun. Maybe I should go look at P-Dub’s sushi recipes.
I’d love to learn to cook fish. I’ve never tried it – I’m afraid it will either be undercooked or overcooked. I’m not talking anything complicated – just fish – plain and simple.
I’d love to learn how to grill shrimp just right. Growing up on the Gulf Coast that was one of my favorite foods, but never knew how to do them just right
Ribs with a really gooey BBQ sauce. You know, the kind that napkins stick to, and you have to SCRUB off your face!
Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
creme brulee
I became a pescatarian (vegetarian+fish) in the past year and I would love to learn how to cook fish. I don’t have a grill and I’m completely intimidated by the stove-top or oven with fish. Right now, I mostly just order fish when I go out, so I’m not eating it very often, but when people come over who are meat eaters, I want to have something yummy to serve them that we can all eat.
General Tso’s Chicken and other Chinese favorites
I’d love to learn to make proper Chinese food. As in REAL Chinese food. I’ve not mastered it yet.
I need to learn how to cook everything!! I need to learn to cook with ratios…I understand ratios, just don’t understand what would go good with what! Help! Help! Help!
fish, specifically tilapia.
I would love to be able to bake! I stink at it!
I would love to learn to cook light and healthy so everyone will eat it.
Homemade bread.
I’d love to expand my fish cooking abilities beyond broiled tilapia. And how to season vegetables with herbs and spices to enhance the flavor.
chicken & dumplins!
I really want to learn how to make a variety of sauces. Sauces are one of those things that can make everything great.
Fried chicken and good gravy!
I’d like to make a really good coconut cream pie. I’ve make my fair share of fruit pies, but haven’t mastered by favorite pie yet.
Creme Brulee. I’m not sure how to use the blowtorch. I’m afraid I will burn my house or my eyelashes … Also, I would love to be able to cook a perfect risotto.
I’d just like to cook without pre-prepared food. I never learned to cook with fresh ingredients (my mom didn’t enjoy cooking, so nothing was passed onto me). My husband is an incredible cook, but just doesn’t have the time. I’d like to enjoy creating delicious foods and treating him once in awhile.
Thanks!!
Fish recipes that my family will actually eat
I’d love to learn how to cook Salmon, it’s my favorite thing to eat but I have no idea how to make it myself! Any fish would be good, really. I’ve never cooked any kind… unless you count fish-sticks. Which you shouldn’t. ^.^
I want to overcome my fear of fire and learn to grill!
I’d love to learn to make delicious sauces that would bring variety to the meats we consume. That, and bread without a recipe. I can follow recipes and come up with good bread, but I’d rather be able to take what I have and combine it in such a way to make a yummy flavorful bread.
I want to learn to make a really good biscuit that is not floury but is meltingly rich and buttery. Been trying for years…no luck yet!
I would love to learn how to prepare a great rack of babyback ribs. I have been collecting different recipes, trying to decide which method would be best but, haven’t decided on one yet, hopefully will decide before the 4th of July!!!!
I’d love to learn how to make Chicken Basmati like they do at Ambar India in Clifton (I think that’s the area in North Cincy). My husband introduced me to Indian cuisine at Ambar and I haven’t been able to find that dish, made as well, at any other Indian restaurant since we’ve moved to Virginia.
Ryan, I beg you, try that dish at Ambar and post how to make it!
Fish! We love fish of types and I just can’t ever seem to get it right!
I would really love to learn how to cook authentic mexican food…and how to just throw stuff together from my fridge and pantry.
I’d like to learn to grill fish. I’m always afraid I’ll ruin it and it’s not cheap, so I don’t want it to go to waste. I’m not great at the grill. More caveman-like – just cook it over open flame, nothing fancy.
Chocolate soufflé.
Anything on the grill! Or seafood in general.
I’m working on making good pasta these days
I guess fish, since you mentioned fish. I’ve never cooked it, and my husband has a taste for it once and a while. Which he usually gets from a restaurant.
I would really like to learn how to make a good gelato. I tried once and it was OK. I would really like to make a mocha or some kind of coffee flavored one.
I would really like to know how to grill things properly.
I suck at fish and would like not to.
Pick me!
I’d love to learn how to make yeast rolls. *nom nom nom*
Pasta … I have never attempted it.
I’d like to learn how to cook fish. I can cook anything else. We love fish and need to eat more of it.
Pancakes. I can cook just about anything I set my mind to, complicated, lots of ingredients, tastey meals, but pancakes…I CAN NOT flip them. lol.
Gravy.
I would like to make a really good bbq pork roast that would be tender and yummy. For some reason I’m too big a chicken to try it.
I would love to learn how to make scratch biscuits that are fluffy and flaky. You know the ones that Grandma made and never used a measuring cup. Mine always turn out flatter and not so moist. What am I doing wrong?????
I’d love to learn how to make authentic Mexican dishes, especially tamales.
Thanks Ryan for this terrific giveaway.
Bonne chance!
I want to learn how to make veggies that I’ll like. There are few veggies that I really like, but there are quite a few that I think I might like if I had them prepared the right way.
I want to learn how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey! My grandma cooks it every single year…I don’t even think my mom knows how to do it! And it’s the most delicious bird ever.
I would LOVE to make better pie crusts. Mine are always too dry or too small or not thin enough. Silliness!
I want to learn how to improvise. I’m really great at following recipes, but I’m not brave at all when it comes to just ‘throwing things together’.
I would love to b more of an “on the fly” cook where I could come up with a good dinner with what I have in the house. I hate staring at my cupboard wondering what to cook when I don’t have a specific recipe in mind. Thanks!!!
bread, yeast & I dont get along!
Love to learn presentation… which I don’t think answers the question but thats my weakness
I’d love to learn how to make macarons. I tried to make pistachio ones once and while they were delicious, they didn’t have the airiness of “real” macarons.
Cinnamon rolls. I bake constantly, and cinnamon rolls is the one thing I’ve never tried.
A good pie crust. And more stuff with yeast in it, now that I’ve broken ground with your dutch oven bread recipe
Cake…I’ve tried and it wasn’t the moist and delicious cake I was looking for.
Crepes
Any kind of baked good I’m good at the savory dishes but when it comes time for cakes and pies I’m not that great!
I want to learn how to make different sauces for chicken, beef, pork, etc.
I love Alton Brown! Thanks for the contest!
I’d have to agree with all the pie-crusters on here . . . although I also agree with the person who commented that they’d love to know how to cook “on the fly.” If I don’t have a recipe in front of me, it’s like my hands are tied!
Salmon! I’d love to learn how to cook fish at home!
I’m always looking for ways to make veggies more interesting for my kids. I love veggies and will eat them in almost any preparation, but I get tired of the same ol’ thing… Wish my kids would let me branch out more…
Yummy, easy veggies that kids will love.
creme brulee. it intimidates me altogther too much
I love to cook and bake but there is one thing I can never ever get to turn out. Jello!!! I don’t know why, I follow all of the directions to a t, but it never solidifies.
I would love to learn how to just make things without recipes. I’m a pretty decent cook, but it’s all by following directions.
Seafood! I just can’t e er seem to get seafood right.
croissants, did I spell that right. Ok any pastry
Southern style chicken pot pie. The kind my mama made, which just had chicken and boiled eggs in the pie, and vegetables are served on the side!
Chicken wings like I used to get in Buffalo. Sigh.
Nostalgia sets in…
LOVE to cook, but always need a book (lamest rhyme ever). I would LOVE to be able to cook without a recipe; if I could walk out to my veggie and herb garden, grab some of the bounty and make something delicious out of it, I’d be a happy girl. Plus, I’d always loved Alton and been intrigued with the Ratios book since I’ve seen you mention it a few times.
Oh, and Crystal… try these cinnamon rolls. A few steps involved in there but easy to do one at a time and SO worth it.
Fresh baked goodies! As long as I can remember, I’ve had this love affair with fresh baked bread/croissant/bun/(you name it). Growing up, we had a bakery right next door! Man, I loved that bakery. I miss that bakery
I recently bought Ratio by Ruhlman after I read your comments on it. Currently going through the book and taking notes
I love fish, but I’m a little leery of salmon. So I’d love your salmon recipe!
I want to work on pasta making skills and learn how to temper chocolate well.
I’d really like to learn how to make Gnocchi. I have had one horrifically failed attempt when my Dad was cooking and I was chief helper (it was about 14 years ago!). The bad experience has stayed with me forever – in fact, it was only last month that I felt safe orderning them in a restaurant.
J
I’d really like to make wicked eggs benedict.
Fish – it intimidates me.
I would love to learn to cook better with what I have on hand and to know how to make it yummy!
I would love to rock out some real Japanese fried rice.
I’d love to learn how to make the best ever New England Clam Chowerd.
We;; right now I’m trying to learn how to cook using a Dutch Oven, even more so now that it’s camping time!!
Chicken and dumplings – like my mom used to make.
I’d like to learn how to cook fish. I’ve never really cooked it for my family, but I know you’re supposed to eat it since it’s so healthy for you. So any recipes/techniques for cooking fish would be very helpful.
a roux. for the life of me i cannot make that happen.
Mini cheesecakes, of the right consistency to be well-formed when they come out of my mini cheesecake springform pan.
I would like to learn to cook Thai food- it’s our favorite restaurant, and I’d love to be able to cook it at home.
I can cook and bake about anything! Almost. I would like to learn how to make a good steak. I tried once and turned a perfectly good piece of meat into leather and have been afraid to try since. Thankfully my husbanc grills a great steak! I’d like to return the favor someday.
I’d like to be able to cook without using recipes. I want to walk into a kitchen and whip something up with whatever I have on hand.
Um…anything! I’m actually scared to cook and I’m not sure why, I would love to make a homecooked meal for my boyfriend.
I will have to jump on the rib bandwagon. I have learned to make good pulled pork. But I want ribs like I get when we eat out and that has eluded me so far.
I really lack in the meat department. I’m clueless when it comes to steak or ribs or fish even…the grilling items. I need to improve my grilling skills.
I’d love to learn how to make a nice Japanese or Thai dish also…haven’t tried that yet.
Hmmm…I’d like to be able to cook *authentic* Mexican food!
Fresh pasta or that wonderful Thai peanut sauce!
tofu. i can pretty much cook up anything in the animal kingdom and i am def a red meat kinda gal but i would like to expand my ability to the vegetarian/vegan side of cooking. (aka: the dark side. jk) i have a few friends of that persuasion and would like to be able to connect with them via food.
I would love to learn to cook seafood (shrimp, crab, scallops). My husband loves all types of seafood and fish, but I didn’t grow up eating it and am really intimidated to cook it!
Mushroom risotto. I’ve made several attempts, but nothing resembling risotto has ever been the result…
I’d like to learn to cook a good meatloaf. moist not to tomato-y .
both books look great, I love watch Alton when we visit my in-laws (they have cable and we don’t). and I’ve been meaning to pick up Ration since you first mentioned it, but haven’t had the chance.
Thanks for the chance to win both of these
crab cakes
My grandmother loves them.
I’ve had Alton’s book on my wish list for ages now.
I can broil tilapia and it’s good, but I’m at a loss with other fish and how to prepare them. I’m always worried they’re not done when I bake them and end up over cooking them.
The thing I’d most love learn how to cook are meat pies like the ones I used to get at a shop in my mother’s hometown. They’re amazing. I tried once, but the filling was nowhere near right. I’ve looked over tons of recipes and have ideas as to what to try next but haven’t had another go at it yet.
Cheesecake & hollandaise. Not together, obviously. I have never tried cheesecake and I have tried hollandaise a dozen times and screw it up every time. One day, it will happen!
I’d love to know how to make a great fried chicken with crunchy on the outside.
Happy Friday!!!
I would have to be really healthy, clean food.
But, it would have to be exciting to make and eat. My body needs (battling health issues again) and craves clean food, but I love to create in the kitchen….any ideas…
I just want to know how to cook something different besides the same old meals I always cook.
I’d love to learn how to cook fish. My husband loves fish but I’m not a fan – maybe I would be if I could make it right!
Oh wow- those are two GREAT books! I’d like to learn how to cook “decadent” desserts. I make lots of simple things- wheat bread, soups, curries, cakes, etc. but they’re rustic. I want the courage to dump in all the eggs and cream and butter that a killer chocolate cake would take!
Asian food! I would love to be able to cook Asian food…Chinese, Thai, Japanese. To pick one thing, that would be it.
bread, I work it, but it can always be better.
The perfect omelette eludes me. I’ve tried and tried… and the ‘failures’ aren’t bad, but they are not there yet either.
Also timing – like another commenter said, I’m really bad at bringing together different aspects of a meal at the same time. I wish I knew some good tips or tricks for that.
I absolutely love to cook and can wing it sometimes and others I follow a recipe. I’d love to be a master at sauces. Sauces for everything from savory to sweet.
I’d like to learn to cook anything that would finally impress my inlaws.
Decent stir fry. Mine always ends up soggy with too much soy sauce. Will I ever learn?
The perfect Stir fry!
I would love to be able to make great sugar free recipes! I am challenged with food allergies – dairy, eggs, cane sugar and bananas.
Pastry, breads and pizza. I have obsessed with pizza latley!!
A perfect pie crust…the first time. I know, I ask too much!
It seems I’m in the same boat as a lot of other people here: FISH. Sure, I can fry it but that kinda takes away the health benefits I’m going for with fish in the first place. I am completely intimidated by fish.
Really good tortillas.
I know its not really all that healthy but I’d love to surprise my husband and learn how to make chicken fried steak – with the country gravy. I already have the mashed potatoes down just fine
I would like to cook a fish dish that my kids will eat. Besides frozen fish sticks.
i’ve never made bread or pasta — would love to try that sometime. the thing i’d like to learn to cook though is how to make the things i *do* cook differently. i get tired and bored of the same ol’ chicken or pork baked in the oven with a baked/mashed potato and a nasty can of corn or green beans.
oh and a way to incorporate veggies for those of us in my family who don’t like them!
I’d love to how to cook meat well. It scares me to death because it’s expensive and I don’t want to mess it up, so I basically bake a lot of chicken. A lot.
I want to learn how to make my own pasta!
I would learn how to bake. I can cook pretty well, but I can’t go beyond box mixes and super easy recipes.
Bread – which I’ve tried and it’s come out all wrong, so now I’m afraid mostly because the first time was a huge investment of time… And Pasta – which I’ve never tried mostly because I’ve been afraid that my kitchen and I will wind up lost in one huge glutenous mess…
I’d like to learn how to fix vegetables that are not just run-of-the-mill.
Really good red velvet cake.
Homemade glazed donuts! I cannot perfect these! It is a real challenge. They always come out dense! Help!
I’d love to be able to make tasty bread without having to follow a recipe.
i would love to learn to cook AUTHENTIC mexican/hispanic food! its my favorite
I would love to learn to bake bread.
Homemade bread and biscuits. I have a bread machine, which is great – but I really want to become a better bread maker without the machine.
Best tasting fish in the water, salmon is…
Definitely alfredo sauce. I’ve tried it a few times with different recipes and never got anything like the ones you get out.
I’d love to learn to cook seafood. Since I don’t eat it I am very intimidated – I have no idea what it’s supposed to taste like! But… my husband loves it so I want very badly to do it for him.
I wish I could make a great potato salad. I’m pretty good at most things, but I can’t make a potato salad to save my life.
I’ve been wanting that alton brown book for ages. I’d actually prefer the baking one…but I’ll take whatever I can get. hahaha.
I’ve always wanted to learn how to bake french bread. Oh, I love that crust!
i want to learn how to make pasta sauces, i don’t know how to do anything but open a can
I would love to learn how to properly cook eggs. I have always had the hardest time having them come out just right. The yoke is always either too done or not done enough or when scrambled they are always too dry. I just can never get them right.
Steak. Really. Good. Steak.
It’s so expensive (I’m in England – beef IS expensive) and I don’t want to buy good meat only to ruin it by cooking it badly. I know the principles. I’m just nervous of it. Must pluck up courage when I decide I’m rich enough…
I’d love to learn how to put together a good marinade for chicken and steak. And oh yeah how to cook a steak without drying it out…
I’m constantly learning more about breadbaking – but what I did not yet do is my own sourdough. I hope to practise that soon, as the weather seems to be warm enough by now for the dough to ferment properly in my home.
Bread of all sorts. I’m just starting to learn and my kitchen smells so good!
Fish. I love fish but don’t cook it enough.
I would love to learn how to make wonderful breads! Nothing beats the smell of bread baking in a house.
I’m just “kneady” that way!
I would love to learn how to bake bread. I haven’t ever tried because I hate failure and I’m pretty sure that’s what it would end in.
Fix anything that requires a rolling pin. Somehow it never looks as good as it taste.
I grew up watching mama in the kitchen & do alright. But my 20 y/o daughter – who’s about to be married – needs to learn how to cook everything OR should I say ANYTHING? She didn’t hang out much with me in the kitchen and needs LOTS of guidance!!
Great contest – great books, would love to have. I guess it would be pastry, flaky yummy pastry
I would love to be able to cook fish without it sticking so horribly to the pan. We end up eating it with a spoon.
I would love to learn how to cook East Indian dishes. I’d really like to improve my Cajun/Creole dishes. AND I can NEVER get yeasty doughs to rise- what’s up with that?
I’d love to learn to bake! Everytime I attempt to bake something it fails. Other than that, I’d love to learn to cook like you and PW!
I would love to learn about cooking with curry!
I LOVE TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE AND BAKE FRENCH BREAD LIKE THEY DO IN FRANCE
I would love to learn how to make the perfect tamales.
I want to know how to make Paella.
I know this will sound weird, but I absolutely LOVE artichokes – frozen, marinated, canned, whatever! However, when I tried to cook them fresh, it was a complete bomb.
I would love to learn more about canning.
I’d like to learn how to cook good food. I’ve mastered spaghetti, tacos, hamburgers, etc. But don’t know how to make anything exotic.
I’d love to learn how to be fabulous on the BBQ -and especially to cook a realy delicous ‘kiss the cook’ steak!
I make it a goal to cook at least one new dish every week. I have yet to master the flour tortilla, that one really eludes me. Silly tortillas…
I just made your blooming bread last night, and it was delicious. I don’t think I made the cuts deep enough, because it didn’t bloom, but it was still lovely and yummy and mostly gone.
It definitely made me want to investigate the ratios book some more. Hoping I win!
I would love to know how to pan-fry fish.
I want to learn to cook a nice roasted chicken. I buy those rotisserie chickens from the grocery store all the time and they’re dee-lish. But I’d like to cook my own whole chicken every once in a while.
I’m bad with meat… I never know what to pair with it to give it a different flavor.
My mom is a great cook but with me somehow it’s hit and miss, with more misses than hits. I’d like to be better for my poor husband’s sake.
There is no one food I would love to learn to cook/bake, but I would love to be able to prepare food ‘by the seat of my pants.’ I would consider myself a pretty good cook, but I am really dependent on recipes and I would love to be able to ad lib in the kitchen more.
I’d like to be able to make really tender gnocchi. I’ve tried a couple of times and they end up being way too dense.
I would love to learn how to make salmon patties just like my granny did before she passed away. Another thing I would enjoy baking would be kolaches. My great grand mother brought over her recipe from the Czech Republic when she came to America almost a hundred years ago and my aunt still uses it today. Soooo good.
I’d like to learn how to cook whatever’s in the refirgerator. As in, look at the ingredients, and know what to do with them without having a recipe.
Alton is my FAVE! I’d have to say I would love to make a poached egg. I have yet to make it work.
I’ve been in the kitchen since I was a kid. We all liked to help. So I’m pretty comfortable. But I would like to move away from recipes and into just winging it.
I’d really love to learn how to cook authentic Burek. They are the most delicious savory delightful meat, veggie & cheese pies.. The crust, oh my the crust… Heaven on your tongue!
A really good pizza dough.
I would just love to learn to cook along your lines of ratios and what not. I first saw you on P Dub’s website, and that concept just facinates me. If I had to pick it would be….bread…
Jambalaya!
I’d have to go with fish. I like it but don’t know the first thing to do when it comes to cooking it. It’s very intimidating to me!
Just into baking so the Ratio book would be great.
I’d also like to start making bread…
I’m slowly getting to the point of being able to do things on principle. It’s a nice feeling.
I’ve been craving fixing something with a lemon, butter, dill sauce since I watched one of the chefs do it on Iron Chef America a couple of weeks ago. Once I decide what to make it for, I’ll get to work.
i’d love to learn to use more “homemade” ingredients and less out of the can or bottle or bag or what have you. i’ve gotten started…but still am only making baby steps.
Bread. I want to make my own bread.
I would love to learn different ways to cook more veggies. My family and I just became vegetarians and we are getting tired of the same old recipes! We need something new and fresh…FAST!
oohhhh, I saw Alton’s ‘Good Eats” episode on Salmon recently and that’s what I want to try this weekend…
I would love to learn ways to throw stuff together with ingredients I already have on hand instead of shopping everyday when I want to make a meal.
Risotto. Why, oh why do I continue to fail at risotto? Bless my husband’s heart, he still eats every attempt.
I would love to figure out how to make healthy dishes that are as satisfying as traditional meals. Maybe in a different way…but still satisfying!
Brownies… I can never, ever, ever get them just right. They’re alway under cooked or too dry.
Sounds silly, but steak. I’ve always been sorta afraid of cooking red meat, and I tend to cook it til it’s completely dry. Maybe I don’t need a cooking lesson, I just need some guts to leave it less than well-done.
I would love to learn to cook ANYthing without a recipe — I am so recipe-dependent! If I had to choose one thing, I guess I’d say a good whole-wheat sandwich bread.
I would love to perfect my skills in making Thai Food
Just healthier,lighter. I cook a lot and am known for NOT using recipes but we are getting older and need to lighten up and need some variety in our meals.
Breads, that is my weakness, and i love homemade bread!
I wish I knew how to cook fish – or rather, seafood in general – a little better. My fiance is great at preparing fish, but I never know how to season it, and I’m iffy about cooking times. I love seafood, but I just usually leave it up to The Boy.
I would love to learn to cook anything without a recipe! I am a recipe girl, and I have to follow it exactly and with the exact ingredients listed or I have a total melt down! Ok – not really, but I do make a run to the store!
I would love to learn how to bake a perfect loaf of bread. Or anything with yeast. My attempts so far have been not up to par. I’d also love to be able to cook without a recipe – just knowing the right quantities and pairings and mixtures, without needing instructions.
I love the way Alton Brown explains cooking. He’s the best.
I long to cook eggplant so that it is not hard, not mushy, not falling apart, not tasteless and not slimey. I know it is possible because i have eaten yummy eggplant, but those lovely results elude me. sigh
I want to learn how to cook fish- I love it in a restaurant but can never get it right at home.
I would love to learn how to make my own sushi.
a good loaf of grainy bread that doesn’t collapse in the middle
Rolled sugar cookies. My kids love to cut out cookies, but they are never quite what I am looking for.
Any type of bread. I can’t figure the kneading thing out.
Does that make me a bad person?
Souffles, in little ramekins… I’ve never tried, but then, I don’t even own any ramekins.
I would LOVE to learn how to make fresh pasta. YUM!
i’d really like to lose my fear of baking bread, so that’s why i’d like to win! also, my husband has been mistaken for alton brown several times, so having one of his cookbooks in the house would be fun.
Pie. I can make all kinds of difficult things, but my pies always end up soggy and mushy. So sad.
I would love to bake my own bread. I have tried in the past but haven’t been very successful.
I’d love to make homemade pasta with ease! There is something really special about it & I so admire folks who can do it!
Baklava. I’ve yet to make it.
you know I love to cook and I love to try knew things
but I’ve always been that person that needs a base first. It would be nice to just start cooking from the ground up and just learn to make up my own thing one day.
I would love to learn how to make bread and pasta.
OH I would love to know better how to cook. I love to do it, but i feel like i rely too much on pre-made stuffs.
I would like to learn how to make cannolis. I LOVE these little Italian stuffed yummy sweet things but haven’t tried making them yet. And French macarons.
This is going to sound silly but I would like to be able to make better hashbrowns. Not the kind from the bag in the frozen section but actually starting from the raw potato. I can cook lots of other more complicated dishes but I can’t seem to master hashbrowns. This is probably a good thing for my waistline.
I would love to learn how to make a number of staple foods—bread, butter, pasta, cheese, yogurt. I know these are fairly simple, but I haven’t yet bit the bullet to try.
I’d like to learn to make pastrami
My mom used to make the best Wandi’s (fried wedding cookies) and I can never get mine to come out good.
What I really want to learn is what you talked about earlier: cooking by instinct, based on knowledge of food chemistry and measurement. My problem is that I’m terrible at math… never can remember how many teaspoons are in a tablespoon (it’s three, right?) and stuff like that. I’m really interested in that Ratio book.
I don’t really know how to cook meat, so I would love to know how to make salmon.
Italian food…not just pasta, but really good Italian food. I’m a basic meat and potatoes cook, but I’d like to learn how to do more than the basics.
oooh, that’s tough. let’s say either porkchop goulash or chipped beef and gravy
I would love to learn how to make homemade bread!
STEAK!
SERIOUSLY!
Don’t laugh; I am not a lover of beef so am ill prepared to prepare a good steak.
THANKS Pastor Ryan
Seasoning! I’d love to learn what basic seasons go with what types of foods – especially with sauces.
I would like to try making tortillas, both corn and flour.
Anything with yeast…it scares me!
Ribs! For my hubby, he loves them!
I would LOVE to make a squash ravioli with a creamy, but not too fattening, sauce. I tried once…and the noodles I made were horrible. They were too noodle-y tasting. You couldn’t even taste the squash!!
I would love to make a great fudge. I’ve have tried and failed many times! Same thing goes for cinnamon rolls.
I just wish I was a better cook period.
Fried chicken
I’d like to learn to cook custard, especially flan. I love custard, but it looks so hard to make that I’ve never tried cooking it.
I want to learn how to make GOOD Pad Thai. I’m a pretty good cook (if I say so myself) but this one has always eluded me.
my samosas could definitely use some improvement, and i’m not great at soups. my summer chili, though, is fantastic.
I’m desperate to master really good, crisp, flavorful, sweet and spicy pickles.
I’d like to learn how to marinate and then cook Sauerbraten
I wish I could create more sauces from scratch. I’m great with protein and veggies, but lacking in the sauce area.
I would love to be able to make really good chicken and dumplings.
I love Alton Brown! Never knew he had a book though. It’d be fun to try to learn a few Indian dishes, the spices vary from what I’m used to working with so I’m always afraid to buy them & jump in.
Rockin fresh veggie side dishes. I can make a mean entree, great carbs and killer dessert. When it comes to veggies, I’m at a loss. The asparagus I bought are calling my name..but I’m askeered of them!
i would like to learn to can, i am a little scared of the pressure cooker though
Mmmm, homemade bread! And I’d love to master the perfect steak. I struggle with that one still.
I would like to learn how to preserve things. and also learn why some dishes call for unsalted butter and why cant I use just regular butter? It confuses me.
Oooo… AB. My favorite tv chef evar. And that book is a fab one! (In fact, all his books are awesome.)
I’d love to get a handle on baking bread/cookies at high altitude. As in taking a standard recipe and adopting it for our elevation. Because half the time mine come out like hockey pucks. *sob*
My dream would be to learn how to make croissants !
Pie crust. 4 years of culinary school and hours of practice, I still can’t make a pie crust to save my life!
i’m a college student who would LOVE to cook sophisticated meals for my roommates and i!
not to mention, i’m a food network aficionado.
I would love to learn how to make ribs…i can bake like no other, making from scratch pies and cakes since i was 13 and slowly im getting that way with cooking but its takin time
I would love to be able to cook toffee. I try and I try and it always crystallizes or turns rock hard. It’s a sad, sad thing.
I would really like to be able to whip up a nice loaf of bread on a whim!
Meat that isn’t too dry or too raw!
I’ve never made a jellyroll (cake). I’d really like to make a pumpkin jellyroll. The thought of rolling up a just-out-of the-oven cake in a towel scares me a little.
I would love to make gnocchi dish from scratch. I almost attempted it weeks ago, but kept reading in many recipes that a potato ricer was needed. Minor setback, I will conquer gnocchi at a later date.
I love to learn how to cook Indian Food. Curries, etc.
My husband is a master griller…I’d like to be able to grill without him standing over my shoulder telling me what I should be doing because I’m doing it wrong. Steaks, chicken, ribs, salmon – don’t care. I want to learn to grill EVERYTHING!
Hmmm… Fish! When I’m in charge of dinner, the fish always turns out too dry, but I love fish dishes.
I’m a newlywed (and fellow Cincinnatian
) and my husband and I love to cook together. Problem is we can only cook like 3 things. So we need LOTS of help!!! We’ve started experimenting, but some guidance would be much appreciated!
biscotti and scones…i’ll learn one day, but, for whatever reason, they just intimidate me!
I’d like to learn how to make a good crusty bread at home.
Oh gosh there’s so many things I would love to learn how to cook! Maybe the perfect spaghetti sauce? We’ll start small.
Beef Wellington. I have always wanted to try it, and would love to really know how to make it.
So, pick me. Thank you.
Real good baked Mac n Cheese. I still can’t get the ratios right.
Once I figure that out, I want to try to come up with a healthy version.
I’d like to learn how to cook smaller quantities. I don’t do much cooking because I feel like I waste more food than if I just pick something up at a restaurant.
I’d love to learn to make authentic Chinese food!
eggs benedict =)
Pad Thai….whenever I try it becomes a sticky gooey mess.
i really good steak!
Chicken Fried Steak – I’m from Louisiana and growing up we never ate this. I moved to Texas and married a native Austinite who loves CFS. After 6 years of marriage I have never even tried to make this for him and would love to surprise him for his upcoming birthday.
I would love to learn how to fix a brisket
Cannoli. My mom worked at a family-run Italian pastry shop growing up and the store recently closed. They had the best cannoli and I would love to be able to make my own.
My biscuits are never right at all.
Also, in an attempt to live more frugally, I’m experimenting with as many rice and bean recipes as possible. I’d like to have about 6-7 really delicious, you-don’t-miss-the-meat recipes that are each totally distinct from each other in influence and flavors.
I’d like to be able to make a decent whole wheat pie crust. I never get the the ratios right to alter my white flour recipe.
I just want to learn how to cook period. I can do a lasagna, but that’s about it. Oh, and some brownies from the box. I’m SO talented!
Seafood.
I SO want to be able to make country fried steak. I’ve tried it twice – disaster both times. It’s been banned from our house menu…but I haven’t ruled out country fried chicken!
I’m not a very great baker. The whole exact measurement thing is lost on me. I would love to become a better baker.
Ribs….never even tried. m too intimidated!
I’d like to learn to make tortillas. That just sounds so flipping cool.
Fish – my husband loves to eat fish and I’m a southerner – we like it battered a lot and fried! So I’d like to know how to prepare fish in a better way – and so I wouldn’t gag on it (not a fan of fish) I am a very good cook – but with fish and shellfish I overcook most all of it
I would like to learn how to cook fish. We eat a lot of chicken and beef only because I don’t know how to cook fish.
Bread. I think it is the yeast and rising times that scare me!
I would love to know how to bake every type of bread there is. I love bread, and I love the process of making bread.
I’d love to learn to bake a good cake – without using a box!!
Bread – in all varieties!
Bread… and all its derivatives.. I have forever been intimidated by the ancient mysteries of yeast leavening.
I would love to learn how to make a good basic tomato sauce. One that I could make from fresh tomatoes and can or freeze. So far the attempts I’ve made tend to be watery and lack flavor.
I want to learn to make a great smoothie. Ok, so there’s no cooking involved but it is food.
Indian food- I know nothing about it but I would love to figure out what a good curry tastes like!
I’d like to get out of my dinner rut and learn to make some good fresh sauces/salsas/etc. for grilled chicken or fish that my family would actually eat!
Really, really good buffalo wings. My husband LOVES them and pays about $10 for them when he has a craving. Surely they aren’t that hard to make.
I would LOVE to learn how to cook fish. I can never seem to get it quite right. I am not horrible at it, but I just know there is a better way to cook it!
I wish I knew how to fix more fish entrees. I’m scared to death to fix it for fear of poisoning my family or cooking it improperly.
I would love to learn how to make awesome ribs…like fall of the bone-tender ribs. Either that or coconut shrimp with a pina colada dipping sauce (that tastes a lot like Red Lobster’s version).
I’d love to learn to make homemade bread at home. I’ve done English muffins and pizza dough, but not a crusty bread.
I cook the same way, by instinct which then means I rarely stretch myself to learn something new. I was just talking to my wife that I would love to know how to properly cook duck. Any poultry besides chicken and turkey is something I would like to learn, unless it’s just the same as regular poultry, then I don’t need to know.
this is so silly, btu I NEED to knwo the secret to melting chocolate! I can cook really well (says my friends and family) and I think of myself as a pretty decent bakers, but GOD HELP ANYONE who has to eat anything that has been dipped in choclate I’ve melted.
I don’t do very well with cookies -
I’d like to learn how to make homemade pasta! Yum!
Meatloaf. I don’t know if it is because I actually hate meatloaf but I cannot cook a decent one at all. It actually makes me nuts since I can cook a lot of things that normal people wouldn’t attempt. But meatloaf just plain will not work for me.
The poor honey loves the stuff too
I’d really like to learn how to cook Indian food. And bake bread.
Whole Roast chicken…also a beef roast. Hell, any kinda roast, LOL
Eggplant.
I would like to learn how to work with yeast. Home made bread, rolls…..
BBQ ribs
I would love to have more confidence in experimenting with recipes (not just my accidental experiments when I suddenly realize I forgot to buy something halfway through a recipe
)
I would like to learn to cook Korean food. So far, I have only mastered a Korean spinach dish….but to be able to make a really good Bi Bim Bop…ohhh yum.
I would love to learn how to grill. I have never been good at it which is why my husband always grills. I would love to surprise him and make a fat juicy steak for him!
I want to learn how to adeptly cook meal time deliciousness that is not the typical things I had growing up in Kansas… like salmon and dill!
I would really love to learn how to cook seafood as well. Usually the farthest I get is fish sticks!
I make peanut brittle candy from my mother’s recipe every Christmas & have done so for 43 years now. Ouch! That’s a long time! So I know something about candy-making, but would love to know how to pull sugar like those chefs I’ve seen on the Food Network Challenges.
I’d like to become an expert on how to cook baby food. Scince my little guy is almost 6 months, I think that’s going to happen sooner than latter!
And eggs. I can never get them to peel easily.
anything healthy and easy for my family. I guess I would really love to expand my repertoire.
Great give away. Thanks for your generosity.
What I’d like to learn to cook is healthy, tasty, middle-of-the-road fat content, everyday meals for my family. I leave most of the cooking to my husband because I can never think what to cook. However, God love him, he tends to cook heavy casseroles or fried food. Seems like learning the basics from these books would help me along.
I would like to learn how to make good brisket. Everyone says it’s so easy and it basically cooks itself but when it comes to large hunks of meat I’m intimidated. I’m so not a make it up as you go type person.
I would love to learn how to make homemade healthy bread … pretzels ect.
I would love to get a pie crust right. Mine always look…less than beautiful.
anything on the grill…..I’m pretty good in the kitchen but lost with the grill
I would love to be a better baker!
I’m not so great at cooking meat. Seems like it should be easy, so I don’t really get it.
I’d love to learn how to roast a chicken. Simple, I know, but I don’t know how!
Biscuits and gravy. I totally failed that course in home ec. My husband would totally be grateful if I could master this but, alas, he has to settle for Bob Evans gravy and Grands Biscuits.
I would love how to successfully learn the spice combinations for Indian food. From there I would love how to make some killer Saag Paneer…making my own Paneer as well!
I would like to learn how to cook more seafood. I don’t know much about how to prepare it, but I love all types.
Curry- Ive eaten Indian and Tai food all my life..but Ive yet to try it. I havent a clue why…but the last 2 years I see people on tv making Tai currys or Indian Currys and I keep saying I want to try..I thk Im waiting for a push..lol
Crème brûlée, basically, I just need to get the custard part down!
I would love to learn cooking like this…we are moving to Asia, so I know knowing this method would help when having to use new ingredients.
I cook and bake ALL. THE. TIME. But 98% of the time, I’m tied to a recipe. I’d love to learn to cook w/o recipes!
Loved Loved Loved
Your Chicken Tikka Masala recipe over at PW..
Would love to learn more about Indian cusine.
I’d love to learn how to bake a good berry pie. Every time I do it the crust is either flaky with no taste, or has a great flavor but is tough! The few times I’ve gotten the crust right, I burnt it trying to get the berries cooked!
Baking bread and canning.
I would love to learn how cook fish – I have the hardest time with new (to me) ingredients!
as an entering college student…
i would like to learn to make quick healthy meal but yet satisfying.
oh and bake creme brulee. :p been cravin for it.
Scrumptious chocolate chip cookies that do not end up on my hips!!!
CANDY. Specifically caramels.
I’d like to learn how to cook without eggs and dairy because I’m allergic to them!
Meat! I’m forever drying it out, no matter what I try.
souffle… chocolate, mango, whatever kind!
Anything. Everything. All of it.
Really good, yeasty, pizza dough like they make in Boston.
I would love to cook good Southern comfort food. I can cook a bit – but it’s nothing like what my grandma can make. Homemade fried chicken is a big one… I wish I could figure out how she does it.
I would like to learn how to cook pretzels and/or bread from scratch.
Cool. I love Alton Brown.
I need to learn how to use yeast!
Bread using ratios! I have no excuse for not making homemade bread (at least, not one that isn’t whiny/lazy/pathetic). We eat organic whole foods on a regular basis but haven’t added making bread yet. So if I win, I promise to make bread!
Thanks Ryan.
I desperately want to learn how to make really good bread…baquettes and homemade rolls in particular. I bake all the time and must say I make quite delicious cookies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, etc. However, I cannot seem to make good bread to save my life.
Cheesecake! I’m afraid to try…
I want to learn how to make a flourless chocolatey something. Ideas?!
I would love to learn how to make puff pastry. Wouldn’t it be fun to be able to whip up some cream puffs?
I would love to learn how to cook bread!
I’m not a bad cook, but I don’t know how to cook fish (it scares me), and veggies on the grill, how to season different large portions of meat. I do OK, but I would love to grasp the basics a bit better.
Thanks!
I would like to be able to make good biscuits.
I would like to learn how to can foods… I never learned the art of canning…
How to cook dinner for more than four people. Intimidating!
I’d like to learn to make better cakes. Mine always turn out crummy. (as in not good!)
I would love to be able to make great Indian food at home – particularly, Chicken Tikka Masala and Naan. yummy!
I would love to learn how to grill correctly. I never seem to get it right. Good thing hubby eats whatever I cook.LOL.
I’d like to learn how to successfully blind-bake a pie crust. No matter what I do (pie weights, foil, etc.) the crust slides down the side of the pan!
I would love to know how to cook barbecue sauce. As a southerner, the fact that I can’t is nearly grounds for being disowned. I know what I like in a barbecue sauce, but not how to make it. Sigh.
Fish, Salmon, tilapia, cod, I would love to learn how to cook it. Teach me oh wise one
Bread! I love fresh bread but it never works out.
My husband is pretty good a throwing things together and getting them to taste good. I on the other hand am not. I have to follow a recipe. In the last couple of years I have found out that I am allergic to gluten and sugar. I would like to learn how to cook anything well so that I can cook something that the whole family can eat that tastes good and that my husband wouldn’t have to cook for us.
The Shrimp Risotto that you made with pioneer woman…It looks amazing but scares me…i hear it’s touchy
i keep having very good intentions (and very poor follow through) on cooking something with tofu!
Delicious yeast rolls. For some reason any type of bread or rolls from scratch scares me. No real reason why, other than maybe its because my mom never cooked fresh breads without the help of a bread machine.
I’d like to add more dinners to our list. We need more nutrition too
Thanks for the chance to win!
I need to learn to make a decent omelette.
Healthy food that my hubby actually likes!!!
a white clam sauce. i can never seem to get it the correct consistency. it is always too juicy. there has to be a way to get it just right! and if someone is willing to teach me… i am more than ready to learn!
Honestly? I really would like to learn how to do pie crust really well… all butter crust? shortening crust? butter shortening crust? Pastry blender vs. fork vs. food processor? Vinegar? a crust needs vinegar what?
It’s all so confusing!
The perfect steak!
I would really love to learn how to cook awesome pasta. My family loves pasta!
I would love to learn how to cook fish that doesn’t taste fishy.
Tender, pulled beef that tastes like the taco meet used in my favorite Mexican restaurant back home on the border in southern CA.
soups… mine are ok, but not outstanding. I want them to be healthy, so limited processed stuff. Mostly the how-tos of using fresh herbs to really enhance them. And just more ideas on variety. thanks, ryan!
Nothing specific, but I want to learn how to make more things from scratch. I like the idea of knowing all that went into my food, and knowing that I did it on my own.
I don’t have a particular thing…I would just like to learn to cook without feeling that I need to be tied to a recipe…I think I’m just a chicken that things won’t turn out “right” – thanks!
It sounds really basic and silly, but I absolutely cannot brown ground beef. I can GRAY ground beef, or sort of beige some ground beef, but I cannot make appetizing ground beef to save my life.
I would love to master homemade bread. My mother made it all the time when I was growing up, using an old-fashioned bread pail. I loved helping her, and it was such a peaceful process, with a very satisfying payoff.
Unfortunately, my few attempts at bread have failed miserably, so now I’m just afraid to try again.
The perfect souffle!
I’d like to learn how to cook / adapt recipes for my dutch oven or slow cooker
I want to know how to cook withOUT a recipe. I can follow a recipe like nobody’s business (totally right-brained, type A- it’s a curse…). Bur I wanna learn to be creative. My roommate in college could cook like that. That makes it so fun to be in the kitchen…
Better curries- especially coconut shrimp curry!
I would like to learn how to make more meals that cost much less to feed my family of five with a very picky child included! With the economy the way it is my husbands income has been cut in half so living off of just that is making it difficult to make the big meels I used to make. Any suggestions would be great! We already eat a lot of pasta..so maybe a few new ways to prepare that?
I would love to learn how to cook tilapia or another white fish for my husband. He loves it, I don’t. But for his birthday it would be fun to surprise him!
I also would love to learn how to “wing-it”. I can follow a recipe, but am not good at looking at what we have and figuring out what to make.
A perfect steak!
p.s. My husband just asked for the Alton Brown book you referred to. Great minds must think alike!
beef with broccoli, pork chow mein, orange chicken…
steak is a big one. i want the confidence to spend the money on good cuts and know i was not going to screw it up.
I’d like to master some bread. Banana nut bread, to be exact.
I would love to master any meat dish. The meat always comes out too dry, or too undercooked, or too flavourless. I just need to learn what spices go together to create fantastic flavours.
I would love to learn to cook artisan breads!
I’d like to learn how to freestyle Indian cuisine. Like, I’ve got half a pound of chicken and some bell peppers and green beans. What can I make that tastes authentic without requiring a massive recipe and three hours?
I LOVE Alton Brown
I aspire to be a great cook, but I am mediocre at best. I’d love to be able to make really REALLY good bread.
I would like to learn how to cook fish with confidence and how to make a really good Indian Korma sauce.
I’d really love a good salmon recipe. I’m tired of just doing the same old, same old with it. You know – baked potato, baked salmon, and a veggie. Boring.
Scallops!! They are so good but I am afraid to undercook them and they usually turn out rubbery.
Cabbage Rolls. I love cabbage rolls and I would love to learn how to make them.
I would love to make good bread. Or, a great way to serve fish with out the FISH taste!
I would love to learn how to make brisket. According to Pioneer Woman it’s not hard but I’m not so sure. Oh, and fish. I’m afraid to make fish.
Bread! And pastry. The fluffy stuff, like choux à la crème and eclairs. I do well with meals but when it comes to deserts I need a recipe.
I want to be able put together a good meat curry just by “winging it” – I’m so intimidated by the long recipes and such. My good friend just starts throwing things together and it comes out delicious every time……but she is from Sri Lanka and has years of experience.
I would like to learn to make croissants
Thai Basil Stir Fry with Chicken
Seafood. Any type cooked any way. I usually by it frozen and already seasoned because it scares me to whip something up myself. I LOVE lobster…why not make it myself?? SUSHI-I adore sushi. Not that sushi involves cooking, but you still have to make it taste good, you know what I mean?
I grew up in the midwest. Now I live near the ocean and it seems everyone eats a lot of seafood so I’d love to learn to cook salmon, halibut, tuna steaks, tilapia. I have made all of these and they turned out well. I want to make them and really WOW my crowd!!!
Cheesecake…I can make mean baked goods, but I’ve only tried a cheesecake once and it didn’t turn out all that well. I definitely want to try it again!
mostly, I’m thinking, any type of bread would be great
Great homemade bread with my own ground grains. I don’t think I’ve ever baked a regular loaf of yeast bread. I’ve at least tried just about everything else! Although I still would like to perfect homemade pizza.:)
I think it would be fun to learn fresh pasta! I saw the post in PW when you were there and it looks “doable”!
I just want to be able to do what you described. Throw together a fab dish without a specific recipe. I want in the awesome drawing!
Barbequed ANYTHING. I don’t know I let this happen, but I am almost forty and I have never used a BBQ in my life.
Actually, I do know how that happened: I had a father, and now I have a husband. BBQ Kings both.
I would love to perfect homemade sourdough bread. I’ve made some valiant attempts that were certainly edible…but not as good as I would like.
I really want to learn about poultry and bread.
Anything Thai. I love Thai food and only wish I had the time to take a class.
I would love to be able to cook meat (of any kind, really) without checking it to death for proper doneness. And no, I don’t use a thermometer…so that would be helpful, probably
Right now I want to learn how to make a lasagna or really good home made mac and cheese from scratch.
I learned how to make really good key lime pie about two weeks ago from my husband’s grandma. But, I can’t get it to not be a bit soupy with the meringue on it. I want to learn how to do a really good meringue pie.
really good seafood gumbo !
Oh, Ryan, I almost bought the Alton Brown book at Half Price last Saturday. It’s really cool and I guess I really wanted the Marlbrough (yes the cigarette ad thing) book more…old west and cafe food. I may have to go back and get it anyway. I have about 20 pounds of catfish-not fond of the dirt taste- and crappie-really thin filets- in the freezer thanks to a cousin and I really don’t want it fried. I guess I will experiment with it eventually. It’s too hot to really think about food right now.
I’d like to learn how to make a really good pie crust. My only attempts have turned out hard as a rock so I buy them pre-made. And while they’re OK, I try to go organic when I can and you can’t find organic pie crust!
Honestly? Some main dish that my boys will eat. It has to have no pork (one is allergic), it would be if it had no chicken (cause I’m allergic), and well – the boys basically won’t touch veggies. They’re driving me NUTS!
It would be even better if it weren’t tacos or pizza – the only foods these two teenaged boys get excited about – and make the rest of us want to HURL!
maw maw’s chocolate cake! mmmmmmmm!!!!
Fennel, I love it can’t seem to cook it right.
Sticky rice that doesn’t turn into paste!!
Meat! Outside of ground beef I’m terrible with it!
About the only thing I can cook without a recipe is bacon. I’d love to step away from the recipe cards/books, relax and be able to get creative with cooking like you do.
I would love to bake fruit pies like my mother’s.
I wish I knew how to bake a delicious loaf of bread from scratch. But I have trouble enough with toast. :/
I would love to learn to make Cuban roast pork.
Thanks for the giveaway! I just sent Ratio to a friend for her birthday, but I’d love a copy for myself.
I’d like to learn how to make amazing homemade pizza, a cake that isn’t lopsided, and salmon since I just found out that I actually like to eat it now!
I’d like to learn how to toss together any leftovers in the fridge to make an amazing second time around dinner!
I would love to learn to make a pot roast that is edible the next day too.
I would love to learn how to make pasta. Or tiramisu because it’s my friends favorite.
I would love to learn how to make bologenese (sp?) sauce
Asain anything .. stir fry, dumplings, sushi…..
I would love to learn how to cook vietnamese and thai food.
I want to make perfect biscuits, the kind Granny makes.
I would love to learn how to cook fish in a lot of different ways so that my husband would like it.
Indian food.
I’d like to be able to make really good fried rice. Mine always come out just decent. I want my husband to like mine better than the hibachi restaurant’s rice.
Fish, so that it won’t taste like fish. I’m not a fan of it, but I know it’s good for me and I get tired of chicken (don’t eat much red meat, definitely not in the summer.) I’ve been told I need to start wtih tilapia.
Simple, ice cream. I adore ice cream. Love, love, love, love, love.
Pork chops. Mine are always either too rare or dried out. I’ve tried grilling, searing, baking… nothing seems to result in that perfect pork chop!
sausage gravy for biscuits and gravy. every attempt has ended up in the trash.
Cincinnati Chili Please. Love it.
Bagels would be good to learn to make too.
I want to go to pastry school and learn to do all those wonderful pastries and cakes. Also, I would like to learn how to make biscuits. My poor hubby has to eat store bought since mine turn out like hockey pucks, in spite of years of tutoring by his mother before she passed.
I would really love to learn how to chop very well!
Homemade pizza on my outdoor grill.
Perfect pizza dough!
I want to learn how to cook sauces and gravies. Any time I try to make anything like that from scratch it always turns into a disaster!
I would like to cook corned beef that is as good as Katz’s deli in NYC. Mine always turns out dry, and theirs is so juicy, flavorful, and tender…
How sad is this: I’d really like to learn how to cook rice well! I’m a pretty good cook overall, but no matter what I do and no matter what method I use (I even have a rice cooker), I’d like to cook rice that isn’t sticky and clumpy!
Two things really…a really good juicy steak (just can’t seem to do that) and seafood. I don’t eat seafood but my husband loves it. I’d love to cook him an awesome dinner.
Sourdough…anything (bread, pancakes, pizza dough). But getting started is hard.
I’d love a to learn to do tasty chicken wings – with skin that is crispy and flavorful – not soggy and yucky!
I would love to learn to make fresh pasta!
I would love to learn how to cook great chinese/japanese. i would kill for to be able to make a great stir fry. The other thing would be my own pasta. I have all of the attachments needed for the kitchen aid. just haven’t figured it out yet! lol.
Bread. Bread frustrates me. Sometimes it comes out great, other times it’s awful. And I can’t figure out why. Any other baked good on the planet I can do. But bread…grrr…
Lamb! I’ve always wanted to learn, but have been afraid of trying
The Ratio book really interests me. I’d also like to know how to cook halibut well. Mine never comes out tasting “Wow”.
Perfect piecrust. It eludes me.
Mutton. Cookbooks just don’t talk about it anymore. Go figure!
Ribs, steak or Thai food…in that order!
Bread. I would really like to make easy bread.
I would love to learn to make easy sourdough bread (is this possible???) and tiramisu, again, also easy
I would love to learn how to make bagels. They probably aren’t hard but I am just intimidated.
Croissants!!
Lamb. I’ve never even eaten it, but I want to and I want to know how to make it perfectly
right now i want to go back to the basics and start there… having a structured learning environment to get the basic foundation of how everything begins and perfect the basic techniques and then build on from there.
I’m an Aussie bloke and I’m ashamed to admit that I suck at cooking a good BBQ…I think they’ll kick me out soon if I don’t start getting this right…
I want to learn how to improvise a really good sauce.
I would love to cook any type of food that my kids would rather eat at home, than to go eat out dinner every night, I would really to learn a summer caserole.
A decent roast that isn’t dried out that my son (the cook) would like. :}
Must learn to cook more fish.