Anybody else a hopeless cook?

[ColdCrumpetsandButter]

No matter what I make it ends up a disaster!

I burn things. Over cook things. I definitely don't have a natural ability in the kitchen at all.

I try to relax and not get stressed but manage to mess it up anyway.

How can I improve?

I thought that said crook! I was intrigued.

I used to be. I could turn the finest ingredients into something with no flavour or appeal.

I stick to the recipe these days! Get a couple of staples under your belt. Taste and test as you go along. Season well. Don't do too many elements at once. Turn down the heat. Look at the burning temp of your cooking fats. Butter with a bit of oil can get hotter than butter alone for example, without burning. Stir often.
Keep trying. Took me a while but I've been ok now for 15 years!!!

I wish I was a hopeless crook! Would much rather be an accomplished cook instead.

Thank you for the tips!

I also used to be. Tips: find a few good recipes (Nigella, Jamie, Delia) and follow them to the letter, but try to pick up the principles eg. How to fry an onion, how long rice needs to cook, add dry herbs at beginning, tomato puree needs cooking out for 10 mins etc. Try stuff that can sit and wait while veg cooks eg. stews so timing is not an issue. When planning when to serve food, give a 15 min window and aim for the start of that. Don't do a roast, I still find it really stressful getting everything ready at the same time!

Also, try your crumpets warm