Cooking Basics

How to Season

Sharpen your culinary skills with these helpful how-to videos.

1 of 11

How to Roast Right

Watch as Parents contributor Jenna Helwig shares her tips and tricks for roasting.

How to Roast

This technique is a great way to prepare anything from root vegetables to cuts of meat.

2 of 11

How To Cut Up an Onion

Chef Jenna Helwig demonstrates how to cut an onion.

How to Cut up an Onion

Learn how to chop this recipe staple quickly and safely.

Read our how-to about cutting an onion, and try recipes that use these techniques.

3 of 11

How to Poach

Chef Jenna Helwig demonstrates poaching techniques.

How to Poach

Prepare delicate ingredients like fruit and fish with this simple technique that's also healthy and delicious.

Read our how-to about poaching, and try recipes that use these techniques.

4 of 11

How To Make a Simple Sauce

Chef Jenna Helwig demonstrates how to make an easy pan sauce that pumps up the flavor of a meal.

How to Make a Simple Sauce

Pump up the flavor of your favorite foods with an easy-to-make sauce.

Read our how-to about making a sauce, and try recipes that use these techniques.

5 of 11

Cooking How-To: Cutting Up a Chicken

Private chef Jenna Helwig demonstrates how to cut up a chicken.

How to Cut Up a Chicken

Simple tips and tasty recipes that make delicious use of a whole chicken.

Read our how-to about marinating, and try recipes that use these techniques.

6 of 11

Cooking How-To: Marinating

Chef Jenna Helwig demonstrates how to make a marinade.

How to Marinate

Add a flavor-packed punch to your favorite foods by soaking them in seasoned liquid.

Read our how-to about marinating, and try recipes that use these techniques.

7 of 11

What's Cooking? How-to Sauté

High-flavor, low-fat tips for cooking veggies, seafood, and poultry in a snap.

How to Sauté

High-flavor, low-fat tips for cooking veggies, seafood, and poultry in a snap.

Read our how-to about saut?ing, and try recipes that use these techniques.

8 of 11

How to Bread and Batter

Chef Jenna Helwig demonstrates techniques for breading and battering.

How to Bread and Batter

Learn how to get the crispy texture kids love through baking and avoid all the fat of frying.

Copyright &copy 2012 Meredith Corporation.

Read our how-to about breading and battering, and try recipes that use these techniques.

9 of 11

How To Stir-Fry

Discover simple stir-frying tricks to make the most of this healthy, fast, and easy weeknight dinner favorite -- whether you have a wok or not.

10 of 11

How to Can Foods at Home

Parents' food editor demonstrates how canning and preserving foods at home can be safe, simple, and delicious.

11 of 11

How to Season

Learn how seasoning with salt, herbs, and spices can amp up the flavor in your meals.

Share the gallery

All Topics in How-To Help

Parents may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on this website.