What advice would you give to someone who has never cooked and wants to start?

B Natural answer

Honestly, the best advice is to follow the recipe closely the first few times, even if it feels a little slow. Use a write a short shopping list before you go to the store so you do not forget anything. While cooking, taste as you go so you can adjust salt or seasoning before the end. I would also choose recipes with only a few ingredients and clear steps. Once you get comfortable, you can start changing things a little. The goal at the beginning is to build confidence, not to make perfect food.

Key phrases in this answer

• follow the recipe closely — do exactly what the recipe says“Follow the recipe closely the first time you make it.”
• write a short shopping list — make a small list of the items you need to buy“Write a short shopping list before you go out.”
• taste as you go — try the food during cooking and adjust it“Taste as you go so the seasoning is right.”
• start with simple recipes — begin with easy dishes that are hard to mess up“Start with simple recipes like pasta or eggs.”
• one-pan meals — meals cooked mainly in one pan or tray“One-pan meals save time and cleanup.”
• keep things clean as you cook — tidy the kitchen while preparing food“Keep things clean as you cook so cleanup is easier.”