Learning to Cook

I have a confession. I am almost 39yrs old and I have no idea about cooking. In fact, until the last couple of weeks the only kitchen "tools" I owned were : microwave, GF Grill, 1 small pot, 1 small pan and a can opener! Oh, and the stove that came with the house ;)

  Now, facing RNY (hopefully) around August or September, I am scrambling to try to earn my chef's hat .

  I have been reading here, on Nik's blog and worldaccordingtoeggface.... I have purchased a mini-chopper, a stick blender and a regular blender. On my list for this paycheck is a crockpot.

What else do I need? Simple stuff for a simple mind please!

just dive in and start practicing with the recipes and figure out if you like cooking enough to bother buying all the stuff.  I was raised cooking and know how just fine, but I HATE cooking and refuse to make more than 2 or 3 meals a year.  I just make my choices wisely when I eat out and I bring home leftover for laters.  I supplement leftover with something out of a can to make it last a little longer. 

The gadgets make some tasks easier but mostly are not required for cooking...I chop better with a knife than the cuisinart, I can mix with a spoon and bypass the mixer.  I have never liked anything I made in a crockpot....always tastes better made in a dutch oven IMHO.

Thanks!  I actually started getting the "cooking bug" last year.... but it was for completely homemade stuff (even using my own garden produce, eggs from my chickens etc) and it was for stuff that, well, is not really good for someone trying to lose weight ;) .   I actually used spoon rather than a mixer then, not sure why I decided I need a mixer NOW? lol

Go to Allrecipes.com for really good recipes. Make baked chicken with potatoes and veggies. It's pretty easy. I learned to cook at 36 when I had my first baby. Now I cook every day.

Thanks for the reply, the site AND the light at the end of the tunnel!!  hehehe

I like your adventurous spirit! I agree with turningpoint. You don't need much to cook. When I make recipes for Bariatric Foodie it is usually with few, if any, gadgets. I don't own a food processor or many other things. A good set of knives is essential in my estimation. As is a good, sturdy cutting board and a GOOD set of nonstick cookwear.

As you make recipes you may find you need other stuff but really you sound like you have it well covered!

I got all inspired reading the blogs (that includes you ;) !!).   I really want to succeed with my WLS and I want to make sure I can tend to myself as far as cooking goes, so I was very excited to find what look like recipes even easy enough for me :)

  Ok... good knives and nonstick cookwear.   During my "from scratch" streak I bought a cast iron skillet , forgot to list that one.  My cutting board may not fit the "sturdy" description - but it served its purpose as decor lol.

 food.com is another excellent site, although now that scripts owns it, it isn't what it use to be but all the recipes there are posted by people like you and me.   There are several videos teaching you to cook and to learn certain skills.  Go to the community section and you can ask any question you want just like here. 

Thanks the videos sound like right up my alley! I will check it out!