How to Cook

[bruteforce]

How to Cook:

This is for all the body builders who are tired of tasteless food. For all the power lifters who keep bulking because they don’t want to give up flavor. For all the cross-fitters who can’t find a place that serves Paleo fare. For all of the college students who think they can’t cook anything because they are stuck in the dorms. For the single bachelor, the busy dad, anyone who hasn’t quite got it down yet. Cooking is manly. So let’s get to it.

The first thing we need to deal with is your kitchen. If you have a decent kitchen, this is much easier. The ideal basic setup is:
• A stove w/ 4+ burner range
• A refrigerator
• Well lit counter space
• A large skillet
• A boiling pot
• A spatula
• A microwave
• A couple casserole dishes
• A tabletop electric grill
• A good sturdy knife
If you have the space, nice additional items are
• Crock pot (get a big one, you’re a man)
• Dutch oven
• 400+ sq inch grill
• Grill utensils
• Sauce pots
• Baking trays

If you have these things, you can make almost any of the recipes I make. However, I recall my days when I had a tiny studio apartment, a 2 burner hot plate, a microwave, and a toaster oven. I still made epic food there, so no excuses. Most of the food I make is still in a single skillet, and if you downsize the recipes, the possibilities are endless.

Now, down to business. I cook and eat Paleo. This can get expensive if you don’t plan ahead. Make your menus at least a week in advance and be on the lookout for sales on meat. If you have a deep freeze, buy it by the case and save a lot of cash. Almost any of the meals I make can be carbed up by adding beans, rice, potatoes, or breads. If you like your grains, go for it, it makes food a lot cheaper.

The first thing you need to master is cleanliness. Keep your knives, cutting boards, skillets and surfaces clean. No sense in getting sick. I may not be the best at this, but I never let them stay dirty for more than a day, and I always wash the cutting boards for chicken immediately.

Next is flavor. If it sucks, you won’t want to eat it. Spice it up. Spices are pretty much calorie free. Stay out of the sugar. Go easy on the salt. Try things out just to see what happens. My go to spices and seasonings, other than salt and pepper are:
Mexican
• Cayenne
• Cumin
• Red Chili Powder
• Green Chili (whole)
• Crushed Red Pepper
• Lime Juice
• Cilantro
Italian
• Basil
• Oregano
• Garlic
• Crushed Red Pepper
• Lemon
American
• Onion
• Beef Tallow
• Thyme
• Sage
• Celery Seed
Asian
• Thai Chili
• Lime Juice
• Thai Basil
• Fish Sauce
• Lemon Grass
• Black Bean Sauce

Sauces you should never be without
• Worcestershire
• Fish Sauce
• Soy Sauce
• Tapatio or other hot sauce
• Wing Sauce
• Good mustard (I like Maille)
• Ketchup
• Pasta Sauce

Meal types:

Skillet dinners are about the easiest thing on the face of the earth. Pick a meat. Pick a flavoring scheme. Cook the meat, flavor it, add some veggies, and eat it over the sink. Feel like something Mexican? Grab a pound of ground beef, the Mexican spices, and some cheese and sour cream and make a quick taco salad. (Of course, lettuce helps here). Italian? 1 pound Italian sausage, a bell pepper, an onion, and some pepperoncini’s and you have something a restaurant would charge $20 for.

Casseroles are comfort food. Even if you only have a toaster oven, you can whip together something that will make you feel like you’re back at home. Or, if your mother never cooked, make you feel like you were over at my house, being glared at until you took 3rds. Nothing says home cooked like a meat loaf with mashed potatoes. I substitute cauliflower for the potatoes to keep it Paleo.

Soups are magnificent in the winter. Get your bulk on with a hearty beef stew, or soothe a cold with chicken soup. If you reached for that canned crap, I’ll revoke your man license. Boil a chicken in your pot, tear the meat off, chop up some carrots and onions and celery, toss in a little salt and you have an epic chicken soup without the bizarre chemicals. Try replacing potatoes with rutabaga for a lower carb impact.

Grilled food is synonymous with testosterone. Hopefully you have space for an outdoor grill, even a little hibachi charcoal one will do. I like gas grills (here come the haters) because of how easy they are, but charcoal gives a superior flavor. Pork butts on sale? Have the butcher slice them into steaks and BBQ them to perfection. Serve with grilled veggies.

Salads are great year round, but primarily when the weather is warmer. Sear some good Ahi tuna, top with sesame seeds and lime, serve on torn romaine with avocado.

Vegetarian fare. GTFO

Planning ahead is essential. You can shave hours off food prep time each month if you make common food items in large batches and freeze them. Make a big pot of chili and freeze a few quarts, cook 4 or 5 whole chickens and freeze the meat you tear off for quick soups or salads. Once you get used to it all, you’ll only spend 20-30 minutes to make a great, healthy meal.

I hope this was useful to you, please feel free to ask any questions for suggest other topics.

[bamazav]

Great post Brute. One of the best pickups anyone can make is the large crock pot. If you lead a busy life, throw in a slab of meat, a little seasoning or favorite sauce (Cream of Mushroom doesn't last long at our house). turn it on and eat when you get home. Oh, best crock pot invention? Crock pot bags. put them in before any ingredients. After cooking just pull back out and throw away, easy clean up.

[bruteforce]

Originally Posted by bamazav

Great post Brute. One of the best pickups anyone can make is the large crock pot. If you lead a busy life, throw in a slab of meat, a little seasoning or favorite sauce (Cream of Mushroom doesn't last long at our house). turn it on and eat when you get home. Oh, best crock pot invention? Crock pot bags. put them in before any ingredients. After cooking just pull back out and throw away, easy clean up.

Best idea ever. I didn't even know such things existed, but you can bet I'm picking some up next time I'm at the store.

[BendtheBar]

I am a crock pot warrior. I love tossing in meat, broth, veggies, butter and seasoning and allowing the kids to swim in the pool all day. Creates some pretty tasty meals.

Bodybuilding meals don't have to be bland, so I am glad to see a thread like this. Learn to cook! It will change your life.

[Ryano]

The Crock Pot was the best invention EVER!!! I'd rather have a cheap slab of Roastbeef in a crockpot than steak anymore.

[wesrman]

Great post Brute!

Originally Posted by bamazav

Oh, best crock pot invention? Crock pot bags. put them in before any ingredients. After cooking just pull back out and throw away, easy clean up.

This is genius!!!!!!!!!!