eatgood.now

Skills

Each step is one new skill. Cook the recipe that teaches it, then any of the practice recipes under it: they only use skills you’ve already learned. Recipe numbers on the recipe list follow the same order.

No skills needed

Mix, stir, pour. Good for day one, or any day you can't be bothered.

8 more

Level 1: Lazy AF

Boil, stir, wait. Hard to get wrong.

  1. Boil

    Bring water to a boil, then hold a gentle simmer.

    Learn it: Boiled eggs

    Then practice:

  2. Knife basics

    Cut on a flat side, curl the fingers of your holding hand, and let the knife do the work.

    Learn it: Fruit salad

    Then practice:
    17 more

  3. Blend

    Liquid in first, then soft things, then frozen things. Start slow, then go fast.

    Learn it: Green smoothie

    Then practice:
    10 more

  4. Dress a salad

    Mix oil, acid and salt, then toss just before eating so nothing goes soggy.

    Learn it: Chickpea salad

    Then practice:
    6 more

  5. Sauté

    Cook small pieces in a little fat over medium-high heat, stirring often.

    Learn it: Sautéed spinach

    Then practice:
    3 more

  6. Flip

    Wait until the underside has set, then slide a spatula fully underneath and turn in one move.

    Learn it: Black bean quesadilla

    Then practice:
    1 more

  7. Roast

    Cook in a hot oven on a sheet pan, spread out so food browns instead of steaming.

    Learn it: Roasted broccoli

    Then practice:
    4 more

  8. Bake

    Cook in a preheated oven at a set temperature until a clear sign of doneness.

    Learn it: Baked apples

    Then practice:
    9 more

  9. Spiralize

    Turn zucchini and other firm vegetables into noodles with a spiralizer or a julienne peeler.

    Learn it: Zucchini noodles

    Then practice:

Level 2: Have some energy

A little timing or heat control.

  1. Low-heat stirring

    Cook slowly while stirring so food sets evenly without browning.

    Learn it: Soft scrambled eggs

    Then practice:

  2. Sear

    Brown food in a hot pan without moving it.

    Learn it: Garlic chicken thighs

    Then practice:

  3. Use a thermometer

    Check doneness by internal temperature, not by guessing.

    Learn it: Garlic chicken thighs

    Then practice:
    14 more

  4. Simmer

    Cook in liquid with small, lazy bubbles, well below a rolling boil.

    Learn it: Red lentil soup

    Then practice:
    17 more

  5. Bloom spices

    Fry ground spices in oil for 30–60 seconds so they smell stronger, before adding liquid.

    Learn it: Turkey chili

    Then practice:
    4 more

  6. Poach

    Cook gently in liquid that barely moves, so lean meat stays juicy.

    Learn it: Poached chicken

    Then practice:

  7. Marinate

    Coat raw food in a seasoned mixture ahead of time so flavor gets in and the surface browns.

    Learn it: Tandoori chicken

    Then practice:

  8. Cook shrimp

    Hot pan, one layer, 1–2 minutes a side. Done when pink and curled into a loose C.

    Learn it: Garlic butter shrimp

    Then practice:
    6 more

Level 3: A proper home cook

Several things at once, judging doneness by eye.

  1. Omelette

    Set beaten eggs in a thin layer over medium-low heat, then fold.

    Learn it: Vegetable omelette

  2. Pan sauce

    Add liquid to the browned bits left in the pan and simmer until it thickens.

    Learn it: Chicken piccata

    Then practice:

Level 4: I want to be on MasterChef

Technique-heavy. Mistakes are visible.

  1. Risotto

    Add hot broth a ladle at a time and stir, so the rice releases starch and turns creamy.

    Learn it: Mushroom risotto

  2. Knead

    Push, fold and turn a dough until it firms up and springs back.

    Learn it: Homemade seitan

  3. Unusual combinations

    Pair ingredients that rarely meet, like chocolate and chili or fruit and salty cheese, and balance them with salt, acid and heat so neither wins.

    Learn it: Chicken mole

    Then practice:

  4. Creativity

    Take a technique you know, change one thing on purpose (color, texture, temperature or flavor), then plate it so the change looks intentional.

    Learn it: Beet risotto

    Then practice: