I'd recommend starting out with recipes, or books aimed toward beginners. I was in this spot, and Bittman's "The Basics" book was amazingly useful. It certainl

I'd recommend starting out with recipes, or books aimed toward beginners. I was in this spot, and Bittman's "The Basics" book was amazingly useful. It certainly takes a lot of time to learn, especially as an adult without another person to teach them, and the wasted time and money from a failed dish can be greatly discouraging.