by Giovanne Pierre

Created on: February 26, 2007   Last Updated: December 05, 2011

Kitchen accidents? I must have written the book on this, since I am the most incompetent cook in my family. My parents are at a pinky-length's distance from a bottle of Pepto or the WC when I announce that I will be preparing dinner.
However, though there have been many foul-ups. I have learned a few things.

1: ACCIDENTS...THEY HAPPEN..DON'T FREAK
If you aren't the best cook, expect some bumps in the road. At least the people you are feeding, hopefully, know about your horrible cooking, and will be able to give you some constructive criticism to help you get better.

2: GET A TRIAL GROUP FIRST
When practicing a new dish, or even one that you have done before, please, PLEASE, have a designated trial panel to try your food. Make sure it is someone you trust to be honest, basically your friends or family members, and make sure that they know that they are there to help you get better, not just to have free food for a day. In this step, also, it is crucial that you be willing to take the fire darts that they have for you. Remember, 'tis better to have the criticism from your friends now, than to have criticism from strangers later

3: PICK UP SOME LITERATURE
Start with a cook book. Something basic, as far as recipies go, just to get started on the right foot with. The little that you learn adds up to a wonderful banquet in the end. That happended with me and my parents. I made dinner all by myself and they were quite pleased!

4: PRACTICE MAKES DELICIOUS!
Practice what you cook, as in do the dish more than once so that you can be confident in presenting the fruits, or vegetables, of your hard labor. And keep in mind, a recipie is an outline of what you do. If you want to add a little more flavor or heat, go ahead and, modestly until you are confident, add. It's your taste buds that will end up tailoring to your own cooking style anyways.

Cooking is tough, but with determination, and the right outlook, (and a liitle help from friends and family doesn't hurt either) your next dinner can end up becoming something of a tasty little affair!

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