If you’ve ever found yourself lost in the vast world of Old School RuneScape, unsure of how to master the art of cooking, then look no further. The “Ultimate Cooking Guide for OSRS” is here to save the day! This comprehensive guide is your key to becoming a culinary wizard within the game. Whether you’re a seasoned player looking to enhance your skills or a beginner just starting out, this guide will provide you with all the tips, tricks, and recipes you need to become a top-notch chef in the virtual realm. Say goodbye to burnt food and hello to gourmet delicacies with the help of the “Ultimate Cooking Guide for OSRS”!
Essential Cooking Tools
Cooking Utensils
Having the right cooking utensils is essential for any aspiring cook. Some of the must-have utensils include a chef’s knife, a cutting board, measuring spoons and cups, a whisk, a spatula, and tongs. These tools will help you in various cooking tasks, such as chopping ingredients, measuring quantities, mixing, and flipping food. Invest in quality utensils that are durable and comfortable to use.
Cooking Appliances
In addition to cooking utensils, there are a few appliances that can greatly enhance your cooking experience. A stove or a cooktop with burners is essential for cooking food on heat sources. An oven allows you to bake, roast, and broil dishes. A microwave can be useful for reheating food or quickly cooking certain items. Depending on your preferences and cooking style, you may also consider investing in a slow cooker, an air fryer, or an electric grill.
Cooking Ingredients
No cooking can happen without ingredients! Stock your pantry with staple items such as salt, pepper, oils, and spices. When it comes to cooking ingredients, it’s important to have a variety of fresh produce, protein sources like meat, fish, and poultry, and pantry staples like rice, pasta, and canned goods. Experiment with different flavors and cuisines to expand your culinary skills. Don’t forget to store your ingredients properly to maintain their freshness.
Starting Out in Cooking
Acquiring Raw Food
Before you can start cooking, you need to acquire raw food. There are several ways to obtain ingredients, such as farming, fishing, hunting, or purchasing from stores or the Grand Exchange. Farming allows you to grow your own vegetables and herbs, while fishing provides a wide range of seafood options. Hunting offers various meats, and stores or the Grand Exchange provide a convenient way to buy ingredients. Consider your preferences and the availability of resources when deciding how to acquire raw food.
Using Fire
Fire is an essential element in cooking. It provides heat for cooking food and can be used in different ways. One common method is using a stove or a cooktop, where you can control the heat level and cook multiple dishes simultaneously. Another method is using an oven, which allows you to bake or roast dishes. Additionally, you can also cook over an open fire, such as grilling food on a barbecue or using a camping stove. Learn to control the heat and adjust cooking times to achieve the desired results.
Gathering Ingredients
Apart from acquiring raw food, gathering ingredients is another crucial step in cooking. This involves selecting the right combination of flavors and textures to create delicious dishes. Explore your local grocery stores, farmers’ markets, or even your own garden to find fresh and seasonal ingredients. Experiment with different fruits, vegetables, and herbs to add depth and complexity to your recipes. Don’t hesitate to ask for recommendations from experienced cooks or explore online resources for inspiration.
Cooking Basics
Understanding Cooking Levels
In cooking, different levels of heat are required for different dishes and techniques. Understanding cooking levels is crucial to ensure that your food is cooked properly. The basic cooking levels include simmering, boiling, sautéing, frying, baking, and grilling. Simmering refers to cooking food gently in liquid at a low heat, while boiling involves cooking food in rapidly bubbling liquid. Sautéing is cooking food quickly in a small amount of fat over medium-high heat, whereas frying is cooking food in hot oil or fat. Baking involves cooking food in an oven, and grilling is cooking food over direct heat. Familiarize yourself with these levels to achieve perfectly cooked meals.
Cooking Recipes
Recipes serve as a guide for cooking and provide detailed instructions for preparing specific dishes. As a beginner cook, it’s important to start with simple and easy-to-follow recipes. Look for recipes that use basic ingredients and techniques, and gradually move on to more complex ones as you gain confidence and experience in the kitchen. Pay attention to measurements, cooking times, and any specific instructions mentioned in the recipe. Following recipes will help you develop a foundation of cooking skills and expand your culinary repertoire.
Cooking Experience and Leveling Up
Cooking is a skill that can be leveled up in the game. As you gain experience in cooking, you will unlock new recipes and abilities. To level up your cooking skill, continuously practice cooking different dishes and try to achieve higher cooking success rates. The more you cook, the more experience you will gain. As you progress, you will be able to cook more advanced dishes and earn higher rewards. Don’t be afraid to experiment and take on cooking challenges to further improve your cooking skills.
Recipes for Beginners
Shrimp
Shrimp is a versatile and delicious seafood option that is perfect for beginner cooks. You can prepare shrimp in various ways, such as grilling, sautéing, or boiling. A simple and quick recipe for beginner cooks is garlic butter shrimp. In a hot skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add the shrimp and cook until they turn pink and opaque. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Serve with rice or pasta for a tasty and satisfying meal.
Sardines
Sardines are another beginner-friendly seafood choice that is packed with flavor and nutrients. A popular recipe for sardines is sardine salad. Drain and rinse canned sardines, then mix them with chopped tomatoes, onions, and a splash of lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs like parsley or dill. Serve the sardine salad on toast or with crackers for a light and refreshing meal or snack.
Herring
Herring is a fatty fish with a rich flavor, making it perfect for various cooking methods. As a beginner, you can try marinated herring. In a bowl, mix together vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices like peppercorns or bay leaves. Add the herring fillets and let them marinate for a few hours or overnight. Serve the marinated herring on crackers or with fresh bread for an appetizing and flavorful treat.
Anchovies
Anchovies are small, oily fish that add a unique umami flavor to dishes. One beginner-friendly recipe is anchovy pasta. Cook your choice of pasta according to the package instructions. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add chopped anchovy fillets and cook until they dissolve into the oil. Toss the cooked pasta in the anchovy sauce, and if desired, add ingredients like cherry tomatoes, olives, or capers. Finish with grated Parmesan cheese and enjoy a simple yet tasty meal.
Intermediate Recipes
Trout
Trout is a freshwater fish that has a delicate flavor and tender flesh. A delicious recipe for trout is pan-seared trout with lemon and herbs. Season the trout fillets with salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs like thyme or dill. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the trout fillets for a few minutes on each side until they are golden and cooked through. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the cooked trout and serve it with a side of roasted vegetables or a salad.
Salmon
Salmon is a popular and versatile fish that can be prepared in many ways. A flavorful recipe for salmon is maple-glazed salmon. In a small bowl, mix together maple syrup, soy sauce, minced garlic, and a dash of black pepper. Brush the glaze over the salmon fillets and bake them in the oven until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness. The sweet and savory glaze adds a delicious caramelized coating to the salmon, making it a delightful main course.
Tuna
Tuna is a meaty fish that is often enjoyed in sushi or seared. For an intermediate recipe, try making sesame-crusted seared tuna. Coat tuna steaks with a mixture of sesame seeds, salt, and pepper. Heat oil in a skillet over high heat and sear the tuna for a minute or two on each side, depending on how rare or well-done you prefer it. Slice the seared tuna and serve it with a side of soy sauce for dipping and steamed rice or noodles.
Lobster
Lobster is a luxurious seafood option that can elevate any meal. A classic recipe for lobster is butter-poached lobster. In a large pot, melt butter over low heat until it becomes creamy and clarified. Add the lobster tails and cook them gently in the melted butter until they are tender and cooked through. Serve the butter-poached lobster with melted butter for dipping and a side of steamed vegetables or mashed potatoes for a decadent and indulgent dining experience.
Advanced Recipes
Swordfish
Swordfish is a meaty fish with a mild flavor that can stand up to bold seasonings. A flavorful recipe for swordfish is grilled swordfish with mango salsa. Marinate swordfish steaks in a mixture of olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, and spices like cumin or paprika. Grill the swordfish steaks until they are cooked and have grill marks. Serve the grilled swordfish topped with a fresh mango salsa made with diced mango, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice. The combination of smoky grilled swordfish and refreshing mango salsa creates a delicious and vibrant dish.
Monkfish
Monkfish is a unique fish with a firm texture and sweet flavor. An advanced recipe for monkfish is wrapped monkfish in Parma ham. Season monkfish fillets with salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme or rosemary. Wrap each fillet with a slice of Parma ham, securing it with toothpicks if needed. Sear the wrapped monkfish in a hot skillet until the Parma ham is crispy and the fish is cooked through. Serve the wrapped monkfish with roasted vegetables or a creamy sauce for an elegant and indulgent meal.
Sharks
Sharks are large predatory fish that provide an exciting challenge for advanced cooks. A flavorful recipe for sharks is blackened shark. In a bowl, mix together spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and black pepper. Coat shark steaks with the spice mixture, pressing it onto the fish. Heat oil in a skillet over high heat and cook the blackened shark steaks for a few minutes on each side until they are blackened and cooked through. Serve the blackened shark with a side of rice or potatoes and a squeeze of fresh lime juice for a bold and spicy meal.
Anglerfish
Anglerfish, also known as monkfish, is a unique fish known for its large mouth and distinct appearance. An advanced recipe for anglerfish is pan-roasted anglerfish with butter sauce. Season anglerfish fillets with salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme or tarragon. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the anglerfish fillets until they are golden and cooked through. Remove the anglerfish from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic, lemon juice, and capers. Cook the butter sauce until it is fragrant and slightly thickened. Serve the pan-roasted anglerfish with the butter sauce and a side of roasted vegetables or steamed asparagus for an elegant and delicious dish.
Specialty Recipes
Pies
Pies are a classic and comforting dish that can be enjoyed as a dessert or a savory main course. A popular dessert pie recipe is apple pie. Make a homemade pie crust or use a store-bought one. Fill the pie crust with a mixture of sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Cover the pie with a second layer of pie crust, crimp the edges, and make vents on the top crust. Bake the apple pie in the oven until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling. Serve the warm apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful treat.
Bread
Bread-making is a skill that requires practice and patience. A basic recipe for homemade bread is white sandwich bread. Mix flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and warm water in a large bowl. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Let the dough rise until it doubles in size, then shape it into a loaf and place it in a baking pan. Let the dough rise again until it reaches the desired height, then bake it in the oven until the bread is golden and sounds hollow when tapped. Allow the bread to cool before slicing and enjoy the aroma of freshly baked bread in your own kitchen.
Fruit Bats
Fruit bats are a unique ingredient found in the game, and they can be used to create exotic and flavorful dishes. A specialty recipe for fruit bats is fruit bat curry. In a large pot, heat oil and sauté diced onions, garlic, and ginger until they are fragrant. Add spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala, and cook until the spices release their aromas. Add coconut milk, diced fruit bats, and a mixture of diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Simmer the curry until the fruit bats are tender and the flavors have melded together. Serve the fruit bat curry with steamed rice or naan bread for a unique and delicious experience.
Stews
Stews are hearty and comforting dishes that are perfect for colder weather. A specialty stew recipe is beef and Guinness stew. In a large pot, brown cubes of beef in oil until they are seared and caramelized. Add diced onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic, and cook until the vegetables are softened. Pour in Guinness beer and beef broth, and add additional flavorings like tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and herbs like thyme or rosemary. Simmer the stew until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together. Serve the beef and Guinness stew with mashed potatoes or crusty bread for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Cooking Guild
Joining the Guild
Once you have gained some cooking experience, you may consider joining the Cooking Guild. The Cooking Guild is a gathering place for skilled cooks where you can further develop your cooking skills and interact with other cooking enthusiasts. To join the guild, you need to have reached a certain level in the cooking skill. Pay a visit to the guild and speak to the guild master to submit your application. Once accepted, you will gain access to exclusive guild benefits and recipes.
Guild Benefits
Being a member of the Cooking Guild comes with certain benefits. Firstly, you will have access to the guild’s cooking range, which provides a higher cooking success rate compared to regular ranges. This means that your dishes are less likely to burn or fail. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to participate in guild events and competitions, where you can showcase your cooking skills and potentially earn rewards or recognition. The guild also serves as a platform for exchanging cooking tips, recipes, and experiences with fellow members.
Guild Recipes
The Cooking Guild offers a variety of unique and advanced recipes that can only be learned by its members. These guild recipes often require a higher cooking level and provide a challenge for experienced cooks. From gourmet desserts to complex main courses, the guild recipes will allow you to further expand your culinary repertoire and impress others with your cooking skills. Keep practicing and leveling up your cooking skill to unlock these exclusive guild recipes and discover new and exciting dishes to cook.
Quests for Cooking Experience
Recipe for Disaster
“Recipe for Disaster” is a popular quest that offers cooking experience as a reward. In this quest, you are tasked with helping a group of quirky characters with their cooking-related problems. Each sub-quest involves cooking a specific dish or preparing ingredients in a unique way. Successfully completing these cooking challenges will not only earn you cooking experience but also advance the storyline and unlock new quests or rewards. “Recipe for Disaster” is a fun and interactive quest that allows you to apply your cooking skills in a game setting.
Cook’s Assistant
“Cook’s Assistant” is a beginner-level quest that introduces you to the world of cooking in the game. In this quest, the cook of Lumbridge Castle has lost some essential ingredients for a special cake, and you are asked to help him gather them. The tasks involve acquiring various ingredients and bringing them back to the cook. By completing this quest, you will not only gain cooking experience but also establish yourself as a reliable and skilled cook in the game. “Cook’s Assistant” is a great starting point for beginners and serves as the foundation for further cooking quests.
Romeo & Juliet
“Romeo & Juliet” is a classic quest that involves more than just cooking but offers cooking experience as a reward. In this quest, you play the role of a messenger between two star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. One of the tasks involves making a special potion using an assortment of ingredients. This potion requires precise measurements and careful cooking techniques. By successfully completing this quest, you will not only contribute to the love story of Romeo and Juliet but also gain cooking experience. “Romeo & Juliet” is a quest that combines cooking with storytelling, adding an extra layer of excitement to the cooking experience.
Money-Making Tips
High Demand Food Items
Cooking can also be a profitable skill in the game, especially by crafting and selling high-demand food items. Some food items that are often in high demand include cooked lobsters, sharks, monkfish, and pies. These items are sought after by players who need healing or stat-boosting food for combat or other activities. By focusing on cooking and selling these high-demand food items, you can earn a steady income in the game and also gain cooking experience in the process.
Buying and Selling Strategy
When it comes to making money through cooking, having a strategic buying and selling strategy is important. Keep an eye on the market prices of different food items and adjust your buying and selling accordingly. Buy raw ingredients when they are relatively cheap and plentiful, and cook them into finished products. Monitor the demand and prices of the finished products and sell them when the prices are high. By understanding the market trends and playing strategically, you can maximize your profits and make cooking a profitable skill in the game.
Alternative Cooking Methods
While traditional cooking methods like stoves and ovens are the most common, there are alternative cooking methods that can be more efficient or profitable in the game. For example, using a fire spell instead of a range or oven can save on resources and cooking time. Similarly, using a portable range or using the services of an NPC who offers special cooking facilities can provide unique advantages. Explore these alternative cooking methods and weigh the pros and cons to determine which method suits your needs and goals in the game.
Cooking in the world of OSRS can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Whether you are just starting out or looking to improve your skills, this comprehensive guide provides you with essential cooking tools, tips, and recipes to help you become a master chef. From beginner-friendly recipes like shrimp and sardines to advanced dishes like swordfish and lobster, there is something for every level of cook. Don’t forget to explore the Cooking Guild, take on cooking quests, and apply money-making strategies to make the most out of your culinary adventures in the game. Happy cooking!