Are you tired of cooking frozen pizzas or pasta for your guests?
Or do you struggle when it comes to frying an egg?
Don't worry! Anyone can learn how to cook. However, before you start tackling tasty dishes and becoming the next celebrity chef (why not?), the first step is deciding how you want to learn cooking.
Your introduction to the world of cooking can come in many forms, depending on the learning methods you choose. Some people need to take regular tutorials, while others prefer to learn at their own pace. Whichever way you decide to learn to cook, you should consider investing in at least a few books.
The right cooking books serve as invaluable companions, offering guidance, inspiration, and foundational knowledge to transform novice beginner cooks into confident home chefs.
Key Takeaways
- Cooking is an essential life skill that anyone can learn, regardless of their age and experience level.
- Well-known cookbooks like Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, How to Cook Everything, and Joy of Cooking introduce people to the wonders of cooking and teach beginners essential techniques and kitchen fundamentals.
- By mastering key techniques like sautéing, roasting, and boiling, beginners learn to cook a wide variety of meals successfully.
- To begin, you don't need a fully-equipped kitchen. A few essential tools, such as a chef’s knife, cutting board, and measuring cups, are enough to get started.
- Online platforms like Superprof, Skillshare, and MasterClass give you access to expert guidance from home.
- In addition, many cooking websites, blogs, and video tutorials offer step-by-step guidance to beginner cooks.
Top Cooking Books to Learn Cooking
Whether you want to learn some basic cooking techniques, pick out the ingredients you'll need, learn how to cook an egg correctly, or get into baking, here are a few good books for anyone who needs help when it comes to cooking.
Here are some highly recommended titles:
1. "Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat" by Samin Nosrat
Samin Nosrat is a cook, teacher, and author of the bestselling non-fiction book Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. She is a columnist for The New York Times Magazine and the host and executive producer of the Netflix documentary series inspired by her book. The book is organised around four core elements: salt, fat, acid, and heat, where each element is explained in detail.
Samin refers to the four elements as the “cardinal directions” of cooking and explains how mastering them can help you become more confident in the kitchen. Her fuss-free family-friendly approach emphasises intuition over adherence to exact measurements, making cooking seem less stressful.
Whether you want to cook meat, veggies, or desserts, you'll regularly refer back to this book.
The advantages:
- A useful and complete book that everyone should have on their shelf.
- A lot of useful tips that’ll help you learn to cook.
- makes cooking more intuitive and stress-free for beginners
The disadvantages:
- You could argue that some of the recipes are too traditional
- There is less step-by-step guidance, which can frustrate beginner home cooks
2. "How to Cook Everything" by Mark Bittman
Mark Bittman's "How to Cook Everything" is a comprehensive and useful cookbook designed to make home cooking accessible to chefs of all abilities. This book is a mainstay in many kitchens, covering a wide range of recipes and methods.
From cooking veggies to grilling meat to meals like soups, salads, desserts, and sides, Bittman guides the readers step-by-step, making it easy for budding cooks. With around 1000 photos, the book highlights ease of use and provides budding chefs with the assurance that they can also cook confidently in the kitchen.
Apart from recipes, the book also provides practical advice on how to stock up your kitchen with essential ingredients and equipment.
This is a useful book for anyone just starting out with cooking, as everything in it is simple! You don’t need to be an expert in the kitchen to prepare or cook these ingredients. The focus of the book is that anyone should be able to make these dishes.
Principal Advantages:
- Ideal for every level
- Prioritises easy-to-use recipes rather than intricate ones
- Encourages creativity in the kitchen
- Recipes are simple to follow
- Emphasises using actual ingredients rather than packaged shortcuts
- Features gorgeous photographs
Why It's Recommended: Its straightforward instructions, beautiful photographs, and versatility cater to cooks at all levels.
Check out some exceptional online cooking courses on Superprof taught by experienced professionals.
3. "Joy of Cooking" by Irma S. Rombauer
There may be numerous cookbooks on the market, but few offer such an extensive range of recipes across all categories, from everyday basics to international specialities. With over 20 million books in print, “Joy of Cooking” is an all-purpose cookbook and an enduring classic that has guided generations through the art of cooking with its extensive collection of recipes.
Written by Irma Starkloff Rombauer, the book was privately printed in 1931. It was first illustrated by her daughter, Marion Rombauer Becker. Over the years, it was subsequently revised and enlarged through the efforts of the family.
The ninth and latest edition is a complete revamp of sorts, with changes made to almost every section, yet it stays true to the original. Classic beloved recipes have been preserved while adding new ones to reflect current kitchen needs and ingredients available.
- Over 4000 recipes have been updated, while 600 new recipes have been added.
- Readers will find old classics like Chocolate Chip Cookies, Banana Bread Cockaigne, and Southern Corn Bread alongside newer additions like Megan’s Seeded Olive Oil Granola, Beef Rendang, and Chana Masala.
- The book emphasises preparing ingredients with classic tools and techniques, and also talks of how to preserve food safely. Further, all the baking recipes now offer ingredients by weight, ensuring better accuracy.
There is a new chapter on Streamlined Cooking that explains how to economise time, money, and ingredients and avoid waste. In addition, there is also a dedicated section on fermentation with recipes for kimchi, kombucha and hot sauce, along with important information on food safety, tools and troubleshooting.
We want to be a supplement as well as inspiring people to cook. We spent a long time finding recipes we get excited about and we want to share those— that’s our little mission.
John Becker (Irma Rombauer’s great grandson) to Chatelaine
Advantages:
- Adds a wide range of recipes
- Includes modern cooking methods and equipment
- Has clear instructions and cute illustrations, making it ideal for beginner cooks
- Includes updated info on food safety, nutrition needs, and ingredients.
Why It’s Recommended: Its timeless appeal and thoroughness make it a must-have for any aspiring cook.
Essential Cooking Methods Every Beginner Should Master
Sautéing
Sauteing is a cooking technique where the food is cooked in minimal oil, making it a healthier cooking method. The food is turned frequently to evenly spread the heat and prevent it from staying in one spot for too long. Since the cooking time is short, sauteing helps ingredients retain their nutrients and natural flavours properly.
This technique is most commonly used for cooking vegetables as they cook quickly in a short frame of time. We'd also like to recommend these tips:
One of the important things to consider when doing sauteing is using the right pan. A pan with a heavy bottom distributes the heat effectively and makes for even cooking.
How well your veggies are cooked depends on what kind of oil you have used. Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, as this ensures your veggies are cooked evenly.
Ensure your vegetables are chopped evenly. Since the pan distributes the heat evenly, cutting everything to the same size ensures the food cooks evenly.
When sauteing, remember that overcrowding the pan defeats the very purpose of this cooking technique. When we sauté vegetables, we aim to achieve that delicious brown colour, but adding too many ingredients at once can lower the pan’s temperature and prevent proper browning.
Roasting
Roasting is a cooking method where food is cooked in an oven or over a flame at high temperatures, typically at 300°F–450°F / 150°C–230°C. The food is usually placed on a roasting pan that comes with a rack to allow even heat distribution. With minimal oil usage, roasting is one of the healthiest cooking methods and is known to produce delicious caramel flavours.
Tips
- Preheat the oven to ensure consistent cooking.
- Bring your food to room temperature before putting it in the oven.
- Use a light cooking oil to prevent sticking and over-browning.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan, as the food will steam instead of achieving the caramelisation you want.
- Use evenly cut veggies or pieces of meat to ensure everything cooks at the same time.
Boiling
Boiling is a simple cooking method in which food is submerged in a liquid, typically water, and heated until it reaches its boiling point. Water boils at around 100°C, creating bubbles that rise to the surface, ensuring even distribution of heat.
Foods that are best suited to boiling are rice, eggs, pasta, and potatoes. To boil, simply put the ingredients in a pot of simmering water and cook until tender and enjoy an effortless meal whenever you need it.
Tips
- Add salt to the water to enhance flavour.
- Use a pot that is appropriately sized for the amount of food you are boiling.
- Don’t overcook, as it can leave the food too mushy.
Sauteing
Sautéing is a cooking method where food is cooked in a small amount of oil. Ingredients are stirred frequently to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.
- Cooked over medium to high heat
- Uses minimal oil
- Food is stirred or tossed frequently
- Retains nutrients and colour
Roasting
Roasting is a cooking method where food is cooked in an oven or over a flame at high temperatures (150°C–230°C).
- Uses high heat
- Cooked in the oven
- Makes food crispy
- Enhances flavour
- Good for meat and vegetables
Boiling
Boiling is a simple method where food is submerged in water and cooked at 100°C. The bubbling water ensures even heat distribution.
- Food is fully submerged in water
- Cooked at 100°C
- No oil required
- Simple and hands-free method
Best Cooking Tools for Beginners
Equipping your kitchen with the right tools can make the cooking process more efficient and enjoyable. Below are some essential tools every kitchen should have.
Chef's Knife
A high-quality knife is essential to every kitchen. A chef’s knife is a multipurpose kitchen tool necessary for chopping, slicing, and dicing. Having the right chef's knife makes the cooking process more enjoyable. Usually, chef's knives feature a sharp point and a long blade.
Qualities that make a chef’s knife stand out:
- A good quality chef’s knife delivers sharp, precise cuts.
- Has a good sharpness level to allow you to slice through vegetables, meat, and other ingredients with ease.
- Has a comfortable grip.
- Is extremely versatile.
Invest in a high-quality, well-balanced knife for an enjoyable cooking experience.
Cutting Board
A stable surface is required for food preparation, and a good, grippy cutting board provides that while protecting your countertops and enabling good cooking hygiene.
As there is growing awareness about the alarming reality of microplastics leaching into our food, experts are increasingly recommending wooden cutting boards that are safer for our health and planet-friendly as well.1
Buy wooden boards made from a single solid piece rather than several pieces fixed together.
Thoroughly clean your wooden boards and dry them completely to prevent bacterial growth.
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Measuring cups and spoons are essential staples in any kitchen. They are vital for accurate measurements of ingredients and are especially important in baking when precise measurements are necessary. But while measuring cups are absolutely necessary for baking, they are also useful for regular, everyday cooking.
Using measuring cups will ensure:
- Your dishes turn out perfect every single time
- Portion control
- Dishes are balanced in flavour and texture
Choose a set that includes various sizes for versatility.
How to Learn Cooking: Tips and Resources
Cooking is a great hobby that not only saves money but is also an essential life skill to have. However, it can be overwhelming for someone who has never entered the kitchen. Sure, there are excellent cookbooks out there, but books not your jam? Don’t worry!
The internet is home to plenty of useful websites and video tutorials to help you learn how to cook. These resources make cooking enjoyable, even for those people who hate cooking.
Some of these resources are:
1. Online Cooking Classes
If you are really serious about cooking and are interested to learn more, joining virtual cooking classes is a great way to learn about diverse cuisines and techniques. Learning from a professional tutor at a cooking class will provide you with the structure and guidance needed to succeed in the kitchen.
The instructor will also provide you with a strong foundation in all aspects of cooking and equip you with the necessary skills required to become a professional chef or pursue cooking as a hobby.
With a quick Google search, you can zero in on cooking tutors in your area or choose from a wide range of online virtual classes. Platforms like MasterClass and Skillshare, for a fee, allow you to access on-demand cooking lessons from experienced professionals.
Benefits of Online Learning Platforms
These platforms offer several benefits. You get access to a vast range of time-tested cooking classes available on demand, taught by experienced chefs and culinary professionals from around the world.
- The classes allow learners to engage in hands-on learning for them to apply techniques in their own kitchen and create fuss-free meals.
- Lessons are short and easy to follow, making it ideal for beginners with busy schedules.
- You can learn from world-renowned chefs and culinary experts, giving you the opportunity to learn from the best.
In addition, you can also turn to Superprof to learn cooking like professionals. Our online classes are designed for students who want to learn from the comforts of their home. Not only will you get to learn from experienced cooking tutors who break down techniques clearly and practically, but also learn from the comfort of your own home at a pace that suits you best.
2. Cooking Blogs and Websites
There are several blogs and online cooking websites out there that inspire beginners to embark on their cooking journey by offering simple tested recipes, tutorials, and cooking tips. Epicurious is one of the most trusted online recipe resources that offers an extensive collection of recipes including midweek meals to advanced dishes.
As with other sites, here users can filter recipes by difficulty level or dietary needs and find a recipe that matches their requirements.
Similarly, 101 Cookbooks is another excellent beginner-friendly cooking blog. The blog focuses on simple, wholesome ingredients and teaches beginner cooks how to prepare healthy meals from scratch. Users also learn to make fuss-free and meat-free delicious dishes that can impress even Prue Leith.
3. YouTube Channels
YouTube channels are a low-cost method to learn cooking because they show easy, time-tested recipes and delicious, fuss-free recipes through step-by-step videos, especially for everyday meals. Here are some popular YouTube cooking channels in Malaysia with a focus on how to learn cooking and easy cooking methods.2
Seminit Resepi – Seminit Resepi is a popular YouTube cooking channel that features a wide range of halal recipes suited for the Malaysian audience. The recipes are shared in the form of short tutorials and presented in an easy-to-follow manner.
Limau Nipis – Limau Nipis is a popular Malaysian channel that focuses on home-style Malaysian and delicious fuss-free cooking recipes that are ideal for home cooks to follow. The channel also showcases meat-free options and simple recipes that work well as family-friendly meals and practical mid-week cooked food.
Che Nom – Che Nom is a popular name in Malaysia known for her tested Malaysian and Asian home-cooked recipes. She explains her recipes in a fuss-free manner, which suits beginner cooks looking for family-friendly recipes.
Buat Orang Lapo – Buat Orang Lapo is a Malaysian cooking channel that features easy local dishes, snacks, and traditional favourites. With over 1000 videos, the channel provides practical cooking tips and recipes using commonly available ingredients. Most videos average around two minutes and are perfect for viewers looking for quick, easy-to-make meals.
Cooking Ah Pa – Simple Chinese-Malaysian home cooking, such as chicken rice and noodle dishes. The channel emphasises traditional flavours and home-style methods rather than restaurant-style cooking.
References h2 title
- Study on microplastic contamination. Available at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38641111/. Accessed on January 26, 2026
- The Malaysian Dietary Guidelines . Available at https://hq.moh.gov.my/nutrition/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/latest-01.Buku-MDG-2020_12Mac2024.pdf. Accessed on January 26, 2026
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