Apartment-Friendly Cooking Tips for BYU-Idaho Students this Thanksgiving

Starting college often means gaining independence—especially in the kitchen. Whether you're familiar with pots and pans or you've never touched a stove, this guide is for you.

If you are staying in Rexburg over Thanksgiving break, you can enjoy developing a new hobby with delicious benefits. Cooking can be fun and rewarding, especially for beginner cooks. Following the tips and advice outlined in this guide, you can start your cooking journey confidently and successfully!

Understand the Cooking Process

Before you start cooking, get familiar with the entire cooking process from beginning to end. A good recipe usually tells you the prep, cooking, and clean-up times. By planning each step, you'll avoid feeling rushed.

Pro tip: Read the whole recipe before you start! This way, you'll know exactly what tools and ingredients you need. Don't overlook crucial instructions like the need to "marinate overnight" or the cooking time. If you're new to cooking, focus on basic techniques like boiling, steaming, and sautéing.

Essential Kitchen Tools and Utensils

You don't need a fancy kitchen to create a fantastic meal, but a few basic tools can make a big difference. Start with:

• A sharp chef's knife: A chef's knife is essential for different cutting and slicing techniques, whether slicing tough items like pineapple or preparing other ingredients like turkey and garlic.
• Dry and wet measuring cups: Using both for what they're meant for lets you measure your ingredients more accurately.
• Wooden Cutting board: Cutting boards are an important part of any kitchen. They protect countertops and make cutting easier. Wooden cutting boards can help keep your knives sharper for longer, so opt for those when you can.
• Pots and pans: Whether boiling potatoes or sticking rolls in the oven, pots and pans are a must for any Thanksgiving dinner prep.
• Mixing bowl: Mixing bowls make everything easier. Whether whipping up pie or mashed potatoes.

With these essentials, you are ready to cook any meal!

Cooking Safety

The kitchen can be full of hidden hazards, so practicing basic safety is key. Always wash your hands before cooking, especially when handling raw meat. Keep your workspace clean by wiping up spills as you go, and be cautious with hot pans and sharp knives.

Common Cooking Mistakes to Avoid

Even the most experienced chefs make mistakes, but for beginner cooks, being aware of common pitfalls can make your cooking journey much smoother. Here are some common cooking mistakes to avoid:

• Not reading the entire recipe before cooking: Skipping this step can lead to missed ingredients or steps. Always read through the entire recipe to understand the cooking process and gather all necessary tools and ingredients.
• Not measuring ingredients accurately: Using dry measuring cups for dry ingredients and liquid measuring cups for liquids ensures precision. This accuracy is crucial for the success of your dish.
• Overcrowding the pan or baking dish: Giving your food enough space allows it to cook evenly. Overcrowding can lead to steaming rather than browning.
• Not preheating the pan or oven: Starting with a hot pan or oven ensures that your food cooks at the right temperature from the beginning, leading to better texture and flavor.
• Not cooking food to the recommended internal temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure meats are cooked completely. Most meats, especially poultry, need to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees to be considered safe to eat.
• Not letting meat rest before slicing: Allowing meat to rest helps retain its juices, making it more flavorful and tender.
• Not tasting and adjusting seasoning as needed: Always taste your food as you cook and adjust the seasoning to ensure the final dish is well-balanced if you aren't working with raw meats. (Pro Tip: When cooking something like meatballs or hamburgers, you can cook a bite-sized portion on the stove ahead of time to check the flavor and spice content!)
  
  

By being mindful of these common mistakes, beginner cooks can enhance their cooking skills and create delicious, safe meals.

Cooking Tips

Cooking can be made easier and more enjoyable with a few clever hacks. Here are some cooking tips to help you make the most of your time in the kitchen:

• Sharpen your knives: A sharp knife can make chopping ingredients quicker and more efficient, saving you time and effort with your busy college schedule.
• Use a baking dish with a non-stick coating or stainless steel: Non-stick pots and pans make cleaning easy, and stainless steel is another great option to avoid sticky messes.
• Marinate meat overnight: Marinating meat overnight not only adds flavor but also tenderizes it, making it more delicious.
• Use a roasting pan: A roasting pan helps cook meat and vegetables evenly, ensuring they are perfectly roasted.
• Use vegetable oil or olive oil: These oils are great for cooking and preventing food from sticking to the pan.

Remember, cooking doesn't have to be complicated to be delicious. With these cooking tips, you'll make meal prep faster, easier, and more enjoyable—leaving you more time to savor the results and share with friends.

If you have any questions about apartment cooking or Rexburg Thanksgiving activities, contact the Cedars. Happy Thanksgiving and happy cooking!