need to learn to cook

For Christmas ask for some cookbooks of your interest. Then follow the recipes.

I recommend this book all the time: Good and Cheap by Leanne Brown. Free PDF online here: LINK. The author’s goal was to write a useful, basic cookbook for people receiving the $4/day SNAP food benefits, who have limited time to cook and limited resources. The recipes require no fancy equipment, no extensive culinary knowledge or skills, and they encourage you to think beyond the typical food combos and “meat and potatoes” paradigm.

Good cooking comes with repetition. It’s a craft skill, so you’ve got to practice in order to develop your culinary muscle. Pick something: omelets, or pancakes, or lasagna, and make it once a week for a month. When you’re happy with the results, move on to something else. Pick a couple of things you really like, to start: whether that’s meatballs and spaghetti, chicken chili, or veggie soup, you’re more likely to practice if you enjoy eating the results. (And get some freezer containers so you can keep practicing while filling your freezer. Frozen food is money in the bank.)

Ask good cooks you know to help you out: a friend, neighbor, relative, coworker who can spend a Sunday afternoon with you, showing you how they (make soup, fry porkchops, bake bread). Lots of good cooks are generous people who want to share their skills. (If you were my neighbor, I’d help you along.)

Your local public library has loads of cookbooks you can borrow for free, including many aimed at beginners.

Crock pot or instant pot and google recipes is easiest and basically idiot-proof

Maybe try one of those meal service subscriptions. They'll mail you a recipe and all of the ingredients. I haven't used one, but I think it would be a good starting place for someone who is learning how to cook.

Good info - thanks to all! Keep 'em coming.

Here's a fast and easy recipe to try.

Boneless skinless chicken breasts
Store bought pesto-I prefer the Rana brand or whatever is in the refrigerated section.
Roma tomatoes
Fresh mozzarella
Fresh basil leaves
Salt and pepper to taste

The amounts depend on how many breasts you're cooking. Nothing about this recipe has to be exact.

Preheat the oven to 400.

Thick slice the Roma tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish. Add salt and pepper to taste, but not too much.

Generously cover the chicken breasts in the pesto. Place the sliced Roma tomatoes on top of each breast to cover the chicken. Add a little salt and pepper to the tomatoes. Place the slices of mozzarella over the tomatoes. Bake at 400 for about 30-40 minutes until chicken is done.

Garnish with sliced basil leaves. You can also drizzle a little balsamic glaze over the chicken before serving if you'd like.

It's pretty and delicious even though it's chicken!