For example different cutting techniques such as julienne or brunoise. I'm aware it can never be the same as attending a proper cooking course but still with a good book with pictures or even better online videos you can learn something. Basically I'm looking for a place to get a crash-course in what you'd learn in a proper cooking college.
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1See also this question, which asks: "What is a substitute for going to culinary school? Is there?" cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/7438/…. I would consider this close enough to be a duplicate.– Erik P.Commented Oct 15, 2010 at 22:24
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The answer is obvious: This one!– yossarianCommented Oct 16, 2010 at 13:53
5 Answers
Jacques Pépin's Complete Techniques is an extremely useful guide to every technique you can imagine. Each step of each technique is fully illustrated with photographs.
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It looks really good. I'll get it as soon as possible ;-) Commented Oct 17, 2010 at 7:30
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http://rouxbe.com/ provides videos and demonstrations of cooking techniques. (despite my previous username I am not affiliated)
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I signed up for the trial and it really is a nice site. Very good explanation of knife sharpening with a waterstone. Commented Oct 17, 2010 at 7:31
I have never been to a proper cooking college but I have taken a few cooking classes at PCC and Whole Foods, so I could not offer my opinion on how it compares, but this website http://jamieshomecookingskills.com/index.php is a great resource for learning a lot of different basic skills and it has everything from recipes to videos and a lot of techniques in between.
I would recommend www.seriouseats.com, especially J. Kenji Lopez's knife skills videos. Also Lifehacker.com has done a few articles on beginner kithen stuff, like how to make a scrambled eggs and how to dice an onion.
Also you can pick up Alton Brown's first cookbook. He does a good job of grounding his recipes in the science involved. Also, the complete good eats series has a lot of great stuff in it.
Gordon Ramsay Cookery Course on youtube. Fast but good (and free!) content from a great chef. I've learned different ways to cook chicken and turkey. Flavors are excellent and really straightforward type of cooking. I.E nothing frilly.