One of the biggest problems faced by any aspiring chief is discouragement. It usually goes something like; try and fail. Try some different then fail. Try one more time, only again to fail. This is usually closely followed by throwing everything, meal and cooking equipment, into the bin. Inspiration leads to frustration which, in most cases, leads to desperation and ultimately disappointment and discouragement.
It doesnt need to be this way.

Do you think to your self but I am a grown women/man, surely I can cook a nice meal?
Honestly cooking is an acquired skill, some of it is common sense, but that depends on what it is you are trying to cook. Any skill can be learned, cooking is no different. Say you started a new job with a new company that deals in a similar field of work you are used to. Do you need any training? Of course you do you may know the business principles involved but the specific tasks and business processes are unique to that company. No one would expect too much of you in the first couple of weeks would they? You know how to cook some things, but others require quite a different set of knowledge and skills.

Start with the basis and work you way up from there. Can you do a roast chicken? Of course! I hear you say, roasting a bird is easy. Can you roast a quail and make a nice sauce? See what I mean similar but definitely not the same. They have a very different skill set.

You know how to cook a chicken and perhaps roast vegetables, what about learning to make a nice sauce to go with some steamed greens. It is only one extra step to learn, but adds to your over all meal and mastering a range of sauces is no easy task but very doable.

Another thing you could try is using a different spice each time you make something you know, and see what each spice adds to a meal and which spices go well with different food types. Ok - you think a few spices dont make a difference? Does the name KFC ring any bells 12 Herbs and spices? The main dish is chicken but a few spices and herbs make all the difference. See what I mean!

Work from what you know and slowly add to it.

Good cooking and remember to check out our very limited special e-books on how to cook and 10 delicious recipes books.

Doug Turner
http://www.cookingadvice4u.com/ebook2.html