10 cooking techniques to master during self-isolation

Suddenly have a lot of time on your hands to cook?

As the nation prepares to spend more time indoors than ever before, there couldn’t be a better time to master these cooking techniques and skills

If your kitchen is your happy place, it’s likely you’ll have already conquered our round up of 50 recipes everyone should know how to cook.

Many people around the country have got more free time on their hands than they’ve had in a long time, and with the government advice continuing to stress the importance of self-isolation and social distancing, there is no better time than now to master a new skill.

Whether you’ve tried and failed before or have never considered learning how to make your favourite foods from scratch, we challenge you to give it a go.

The smell of fresh bread filling your home is hard to beat, as is the satisfaction of perfectly cooking a steak.

What other cooking techniques would you like to learn? What recipes are you keen to master? Head to the @TestKitchenUK Instagram and send our food team all your questions.

How to make bread

Our easy bread recipe requires just four ingredients and a little patience. If you slice the loaf up it can be frozen and then used as and when you need it or stale bread makes brilliant breadcrumbs and croutons.

Learn how to make bread

How to make fresh pasta

Afraid of making fresh pasta? No need! Chef Theo Randall shared his top tips on how to create delicious, fresh pasta at home and all you need is plain flour, eggs and semolina. If you’ve got a good supply in your cupboards, here is how to cook dry pasta perfectly.

Learn how to make fresh pasta

How to cook rice perfectly

Once you know the perfect ratio of rice to water, you’ll laugh at all the times you’ve struggled.

Learn how to cook rice perfectly

How to chop an onion

Rule one of how to chop an onion? Get a sharp knife! By cutting your onion into uniform chunks, it will cook at an even pace and prevent burning!

Learn how to chop an onion

How to cook the perfect steak

Leaving your steak to rest is as important as the quality of the meat you buy…

Learn how to cook the perfect steak

How to cook perfect scrambled eggs

Breakfast, brunch, lunch and even dinner – you can’t go wrong with a plate of scrambled egg.

Learn how to cook perfect scrambled eggs

How to cook perfect roast potatoes

Crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, we know what you want to achieve and we’re here to help.

Learn how to cook perfect roast potatoes

How to make sourdough pizza

Top restaurant chain Franco Manca share their top tips on creating restaurant quality pizza, at home!

Learn how to make sourdough pizza

How to make triple cooked chips

The size of your potato matters…

Learn how to make triple cooked chips

How to make hamburgers

Honest Burger co-founder Tom Barton explains the importance of chopping the meat instead of mincing it…

Learn how to make hamburgers

Jessica Ransom
Senior Food Writer

Jessica is a freelance food writer, stylist and recipe tester. She previously worked as Senior Food Writer at Future. While at Future Jessica wrote food and drink-related news stories and features, curated product pages, reviewed equipment, and developed recipes that she then styled on food shoots. She is an enthusiastic, self-taught cook who adores eating out and sharing great food and drink with friends and family. She has completed the Level 1 Associate course at the Academy of Cheese and is continually building on her knowledge of beers, wines, and spirits.