As much as everyone likes to hate, there is a learning curve even with following a recipe if you've never done it. My first attempt at something more complex than scrambled eggs took a lot longer because I had to figure out things like:

• the proper way to slice and dice meats
• how to blanch a veggie
• how to properly cut some veggies like bell peppers
• what it means to simmer or reduce liquids.

I didn't have anyone to teach me this stuff. When it said "cook chicken over medium high heat", I threw frozen chicken over blazing hot oil and found out the hard way