HELP! My Kitchen’s On Fire!

Cooking essentials every student needs to know!

by Stella Coffaro

Graphic by Ian Nugent

Everyone’s heard how some people are such horrible cooks that they’ve even burnt water, but I believe that anyone—as long as they know the essentials—can cook. However, as America’s home economics classes began to dwindle, it seems so did our generation’s confidence in the kitchen. Unless you were taught how to cook from your parents, it isn’t until college or post-graduation that students learn this basic necessity. 

So, I’ve compiled a list of my key tips for how to be safe, sanitary and cook basic meals for amateurs or those who might need a little extra help in the kitchen! 

1. Safety First! 

When studying abroad (and without access to a meal plan), the main issue I saw most students have when it came to cooking, was how to prevent a fire. For the first few weeks, it seemed like one smoke alarm would go off per day from solely people burning their food. 

The best way to prevent a kitchen fire? Always pay attention when using the stove and oven. Secondly, if a fire does happen, do not use water to put out a grease or oil fire, but rather, smother the flames by covering the pot or pan with a lid and/or using baking soda. Make sure you also have a fire extinguisher at the ready, in case you need to use it. If the fire is too large to control, immediately call the Fire Department or an emergency number as well. 

2. Clean, Clean, and Clean! 

We’re always told to avoid cross-contamination when handling raw foods like poultry and meat, but what does that really look like? 

First, whenever you handle raw food, wash your hands with hot water and soap, and scrub for at least 20 seconds, to ensure you avoid getting sick. Next, make sure to wash (also with hot water, soap and a sponge) the utensils you may use like knives and spatulas, as well as cutting boards and kitchen surfaces whenever they touch raw foods. 

Lastly, my top recommendation for staying sanitary in the kitchen is to clean as you go; you definitely don’t want to be staring at a mountain of dirty dishes at one in the morning! 

3. The Essential Meals

If you’re just starting to cook but don’t know where to start, I recommend being less ambitious before working your way up to fancier dishes. My recommendations for beginner meals are pasta, one-pot dishes and sheet-pan dishes. 

Although it might just be in my Italian blood, I believe that pasta is the easiest dish to make. Boiling water is an essential of cooking and also easy to learn. To start, fill a pot with water, add a heap of salt, and place the pot over medium-high heat until it's a “rolling boil” (this looks like constant movement, bubbles and waves in the water). Once the water has reached this point, simply add your pasta (whether it’s fresh or boxed) and follow the instructions (usually anywhere from 6-12 minutes); you’ll know your pasta is “al dente” when you can feel the pasta is firm enough to hold its shape but can also be squished. Next, you’ll drain your pasta using a colander (please don’t rinse the pasta!) before you add your sauce, veggies, and/or any type of protein you’d like. 

One-pot and sheet-pan dishes are also very easy to follow. These usually involve chopping vegetables and a protein like chicken, pork, or fish. By starting small with these meals you can learn the basics of cooking while still making delicious food! 

While the above are some of my own cooking tips, I highly recommend seeking out professional advice from various chefs online as they are a great source of knowledge. Remember, cooking isn’t about perfection, it’s about learning and practice. If the occasional smoke alarm does happen, now you’re prepared to handle it like a champ—and at least you’ll have a good story to share too!