Before yesterday I had never cooked anything more difficult than eggs. I am soon going to be living on my own for the first time in 35+ years, and at some point I realized I will need to feed myself on a regular basis. Someone suggested that I should make a chicken and explained that with an air fryer it’s actually pretty easy. They were right! I pierced the skin both when I flipped it AND transferring it to the plate, but other than that it was great! I used a homemade version of Emeril’s spice mix which up until that point had only been used for eggs. I can’t describe how much satisfaction I derived and how much my worry level has dropped. I no longer have a fear that I will have to sustain myself on eggs, ramen, and sandwiches forever. I can’t wait until next time and want to try adding vegetables.
kiomansu on
Good for you my guy. I’m glad that I found your story. I’ve taught some friends basic cooking and always started with a nice roasted chicken. Keep expanding. It’s rewarding and entertaining.
Looks lovely, cooking can be so rewarding good luck with continuing to learn!
quartzquandary on
Great job! I remember when my grandpa learned to cook at the ripe young age of 75, he was so excited to tell me about the tacos he made.
ElectroSnivy on
Awesome, what do you want to try cooking next? Lots of pastas are very simple since you can trust your timer, and only need a few ingredients for it to taste great.
BIGG_FRIGG on
As I was scrolling along, at first glance I thought you were a prisoner cuffed up lol
AntiMatter89 on
Way to go man, that’s really exciting. I would highly recommend watching Alton Brown’s show “Good Eats”. Not only is he an incredible teacher, but he will show you and teach you the science behind cooking. When you start understanding how and why things act and cook the way they do, it all comes together.
Then there’s a book called “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” and I think it’s a show too. It’s all the basics of cooking and how to incorporate things together.
Good luck on your cooking journey. You look like a nice guy!
Why the hell is my comment downvoted for helping and encouraging this guy?
LadyMothrakk on
Thought you were Stephen King for a second, ha. Good looking chicken!
shauni55 on
I just put a chicken in the oven not 5 minutes before seeing this post. i LOVE making whole roast chickens, so much so im getting a wish bone tattoo this weekend!
[deleted] on
[removed]
LxrdXO on
Make a baked Mac and cheese!! It’s super easy. Just time consuming.
El_Tio-del-Barrio on
Damn! Never too late to try new things!
0thethethe0 on
Nice one! With air fryers and video tutorials available for free on YouTube, cooking has become super easy, so hopefully you can expand your repertoire in no time.
Captain_Drastic on
Congrats! I love cooking poultry… it’s surprisingly easy once you get the technique down, but feels like a real meal.
When everyone else was learning to bake bread in the pandemic, I learned to cook birds. Every sunday, I would try a new whole bird recipe. Cooked turkey, duck, goose (only once, those birds are pricy!), and countless chickens. After a lot of experimenting with different kinds of prep work, I found that dry brine gave the most consistently delicious results with the least amount of labor inputs. I usually mix in a bunch of dry herbs (and often fresh rosemary, as I’m blessed with multiple giant rosemary bushes) as well as some garlic and onion powder with the salt. But even just simple salt and pepper dry brine does a great job of really enhancing the juiciness of the bird and the crispiness of the skin.
Enjoy your culinary journey.
_Shandy on
Make sure you save the bones in a ziplock in the freezer for chicken stock.
I have lots of soup recipes which only involve chopping & simmering the ingredients. Very straightforward, simple.
Feel free to DM me if you’d like some recipes you can make in bulk and eat/freeze.
-Firestar- on
Why the hell are you in your bedroom though?
mrclang on
It’s crazy I’ve been avidly cooking for my family my whole life and I’ve done plenty of fancy stuff and recipes but I have never actually cooked a full chicken and seeing your post made want to do it! Thanks for the inspiration!
It looks delicious by the way I hope it tasted as good as it looks! Buen Provecho!
Raspbers on
Congrats! I’m 36 and have never cooked a roast chicken before, but somehow I’ve conquered the Thanksgiving turkey 3 times since my mom’s Alzheimer’s started up a couple years ago. I gotta get on my chicken game!
Yours looks fantastic!
rad00 on
I don’t mean to be rude or disrespectful but how come it is your first chicken ever, at your age?
TenebrousSage on
Noms
Saosyo on
Good on you mate! If you want to get some inspiration for some good, simple, home cooked meals. Check out Adam Ragusa on YouTube!
22 Comments
Before yesterday I had never cooked anything more difficult than eggs. I am soon going to be living on my own for the first time in 35+ years, and at some point I realized I will need to feed myself on a regular basis. Someone suggested that I should make a chicken and explained that with an air fryer it’s actually pretty easy. They were right! I pierced the skin both when I flipped it AND transferring it to the plate, but other than that it was great! I used a homemade version of Emeril’s spice mix which up until that point had only been used for eggs. I can’t describe how much satisfaction I derived and how much my worry level has dropped. I no longer have a fear that I will have to sustain myself on eggs, ramen, and sandwiches forever. I can’t wait until next time and want to try adding vegetables.
Good for you my guy. I’m glad that I found your story. I’ve taught some friends basic cooking and always started with a nice roasted chicken. Keep expanding. It’s rewarding and entertaining.
Good job, that looks like a damn fine chicken!
I highly recommend YouTube as a source for teaching yourself how to cook. Chef John from [Food Wishes](https://youtube.com/@foodwishes?si=UkgtNkf5vOhfdM_X) is a great source.
Looks lovely, cooking can be so rewarding good luck with continuing to learn!
Great job! I remember when my grandpa learned to cook at the ripe young age of 75, he was so excited to tell me about the tacos he made.
Awesome, what do you want to try cooking next? Lots of pastas are very simple since you can trust your timer, and only need a few ingredients for it to taste great.
As I was scrolling along, at first glance I thought you were a prisoner cuffed up lol
Way to go man, that’s really exciting. I would highly recommend watching Alton Brown’s show “Good Eats”. Not only is he an incredible teacher, but he will show you and teach you the science behind cooking. When you start understanding how and why things act and cook the way they do, it all comes together.
Then there’s a book called “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” and I think it’s a show too. It’s all the basics of cooking and how to incorporate things together.
Good luck on your cooking journey. You look like a nice guy!
Why the hell is my comment downvoted for helping and encouraging this guy?
Thought you were Stephen King for a second, ha. Good looking chicken!
I just put a chicken in the oven not 5 minutes before seeing this post. i LOVE making whole roast chickens, so much so im getting a wish bone tattoo this weekend!
[removed]
Make a baked Mac and cheese!! It’s super easy. Just time consuming.
Damn! Never too late to try new things!
Nice one! With air fryers and video tutorials available for free on YouTube, cooking has become super easy, so hopefully you can expand your repertoire in no time.
Congrats! I love cooking poultry… it’s surprisingly easy once you get the technique down, but feels like a real meal.
When everyone else was learning to bake bread in the pandemic, I learned to cook birds. Every sunday, I would try a new whole bird recipe. Cooked turkey, duck, goose (only once, those birds are pricy!), and countless chickens. After a lot of experimenting with different kinds of prep work, I found that dry brine gave the most consistently delicious results with the least amount of labor inputs. I usually mix in a bunch of dry herbs (and often fresh rosemary, as I’m blessed with multiple giant rosemary bushes) as well as some garlic and onion powder with the salt. But even just simple salt and pepper dry brine does a great job of really enhancing the juiciness of the bird and the crispiness of the skin.
Enjoy your culinary journey.
Make sure you save the bones in a ziplock in the freezer for chicken stock.
I have lots of soup recipes which only involve chopping & simmering the ingredients. Very straightforward, simple.
Feel free to DM me if you’d like some recipes you can make in bulk and eat/freeze.
Why the hell are you in your bedroom though?
It’s crazy I’ve been avidly cooking for my family my whole life and I’ve done plenty of fancy stuff and recipes but I have never actually cooked a full chicken and seeing your post made want to do it! Thanks for the inspiration!
It looks delicious by the way I hope it tasted as good as it looks! Buen Provecho!
Congrats! I’m 36 and have never cooked a roast chicken before, but somehow I’ve conquered the Thanksgiving turkey 3 times since my mom’s Alzheimer’s started up a couple years ago. I gotta get on my chicken game!
Yours looks fantastic!
I don’t mean to be rude or disrespectful but how come it is your first chicken ever, at your age?
Noms
Good on you mate! If you want to get some inspiration for some good, simple, home cooked meals. Check out Adam Ragusa on YouTube!