Welcome, Grier -

Hi Grier - if you go into your local Barnes and Noble, or other bookstore, you will find a section of cookbooks. When I was a new young bride, and a VERY inexperienced cook, someone gave me the original Betty Crocker Basic Cookbook for a shower gift - it came in a three-ring binder, and covered just about everything you ever wanted to know about the basics of cooking.

Now that I think about it, I'm not sure it was Betty Crocker - it has a red and white plaid cover - could be Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, I'm not sure now! I'm up here in Cape Cod and that cookbook is back home in Florida.

At any rate, if you go to the bookstore, I'm sure there will be similar selections of basic cookbooks, with lots of explanations, pictures, instructions, technical information such as measuring liquids, dry ingredients, etc.

It will be the best investment you'll ever make - from there, you can branch out into the more specialized cookbooks, but start there.

The next thing to do is seek out other cooks, and ask questions and ask if you can watch them cook - sometimes watching food preparation is easier than reading about it. I've learned a tremendous amount about cooking from being glued to FoodTV network. Some of the more exotic cooks and recipes aren't too helpful, but someone like Rachael Rayhael Ray's 30 Minute Meals, or even Paula Deen's, show will help you get the hang of food preparation.

Alton Brown is great when it comes to teaching the history, backgrounds and prepartions of all types of foods ingredients.

The main thing is - RELAX and enjoy your cooking experience - the worst case scenario is - you throw it out and start over!! We've all done that!

June