How I did it: There are still stories about the cat fish.  And if you've never heard about my catfish incident imagine horribly undercooked fried fish with no real flavoring.  Does that sound gross, it was.  But in my defense the recipe said 3-5min per side, I did 5 minutes.  To do more would be to not be following the directions. 

I completely gave up, for a long time.  Well I gave it another shot, this time with the very sage advice baking is chemistry, cooking is like life.  Chemistry should be following to the letter, and cooking is just a guide line. 

I still need to follow a recipe.  There was this stir fry incident, oh and the meat loaf.  But they are now far and few between.  Most of the time things turn out well and I was even told I was a good cook (and I was just hoping people would stop suggesting pizza when it was my turn to cook)

Lessons & tips: Recipes have typos, and some are just plain bad. 

15 min of prep will take way way longer.

If you want more spice add it slowly, or it will be inedible.

Get a nice pot, pan, and knife.  Even if it is only one of each they make a difference (get the pot or pan first)

Resources: Betty crocker (eek I've become a stepford something... but its a good recipe book)

Kitchen aid (Wow its good at making/mixing and doing stuff)

cooks.com (and most other recipe websites, especially if others can write comments)

Sep 26, 2008, 03:28PM PDT | 6 comments | 16 cheers