Real Simple Cooking School

The truth? There’s no real magic to cooking, just some simple know-how. These videos demonstrate the basics.

The Basics

How To: Slice an Onion
Onions are notorious for making people cry. The reason? Slicing into a bulb releases enzymes, which react with the air to form sulfuric acid that has an immediate tearing effect on our sensitive eyes. The best way to reduce tears is to handle the onion for the shortest time possible, using this quick, efficient slicing method.

How To: Chop Rosemary and Thyme
Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme make a world of difference to the flavor of your dishes. This video shows how to prep and chop them, quickly and efficiently.

How to Hard-Boil an Egg

Hard-boiling eggs is almost as easy as boiling water, if you know the right process: Cooking eggs too long or too vigorously can result in cracked shells, tough whites, and green-gray, sulfuric-smelling yolks. The gentle method shown in this video works every time.

Photo: Time Inc. Studios

How To: Cook Pasta

Surprising tricks that make for quicker, tastier spaghetti dinners.

Photo: Time Inc. Studios

How To: Cook Rice

Say good-bye to sticky rice, undercooked rice, or dry, overcooked rice: With the right technique—this video shows how easy it is—cooking rice perfectly is a snap.

Photo: Time Inc. Studios

How To: Measure Dry Ingredients

Using just the right amount of an ingredient―salt, baking soda, flour―can make or break a dish. This is especially true of baking, which requires precision. This video shows how to have the right amount of your dry ingredients every time.

Photo: Time Inc. Studios

How To: Whip Cream

How-To Video

How To: Zest Citrus

How To: Cook With Sticky Ingredients

More Advanced

How To: Choose and Prepare an Artichoke
Artichokes are tasty, but preparing them can be daunting. With the hassle-free technique in this video, you’ll be rid of this vegetable’s thick, thorny leaves in no time―and can move on to enjoying the fruits of your labor.

How To: Make Your Own Piecrust
Easy enough for first-timers, this surprisingly simple tutorial will make even the most reluctant bakers into believers. This recipe makes one 9-inch piecrust with just 10 minutes of hands-on time (total time: 1 hour, 40 minutes).

Essential Ingredients for French Cooking Checklist

Stock your pantry with a few basic ingredients to create an authentic French meal.

Bread: Ideally, serve it in baguette form. It’s definitely worth searching out at a local bakery.
Butter: Butter is not typically offered on the table alongside the bread. However, it is a key component in French cooking and baking, so buy the best high-butterfat brand your budget permits.
Cheese: Considered a separate course in many French meals, a selection of cheese is always good to have on hand. French cheeses are a solid place to start (think Brie, Camembert, and Roquefort).
Related: Cheese Varieties

View The Entire Checklist