It can be intimidating to cook at home, particularly if you’ve never done it before. However, you can gain confidence and improve your culinary abilities by beginning with easy dishes that call for few ingredients and fundamental methods. These two simple recipes can quickly make you feel like an expert!
1. Simple Stir-Fry
Since a stir-fry is quick, adaptable, and doesn’t call for sophisticated cooking methods, it’s a great recipe for beginners. Slice your preferred protein (beef, shrimp, tofu, or chicken) into bite-sized pieces to begin preparing a simple stir-fry. Next, select a few veggies, such as snap peas, broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers, and slice them into uniform pieces.
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a big pan or wok over medium heat. Cook your protein until it is cooked through and browned. After taking it out of the pan, put it aside. Sauté the vegetables in the same pan until they are soft but still crisp, adding a little more oil if necessary. Reintroduce the protein and then add your homemade or store-bought stir-fry sauce, which consists of soy sauce, garlic, and a small amount of honey or brown sugar. Serve over noodles or rice after thoroughly coating everything with a mixture. A tasty, well-balanced supper that takes less than 30 minutes to prepare is the end result.
2. One-Pan Baked Chicken with Vegetables
This one-pan baked chicken recipe is ideal for novices who want a simple dinner. Just use olive oil, salt, pepper, and your preferred herbs (garlic, thyme, or rosemary are great) to season chicken breasts or thighs. Arrange your preferred chopped vegetables, such as bell peppers, potatoes, carrots, and onions, around the chicken on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with a sprinkling of salt and pepper and drizzle with a bit extra olive oil.
Place the baking sheet in a 400°F (200°C) preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are soft. Because you can simply change the vegetables or seasonings to suit your tastes, this recipe is quite forgiving. It’s an easy yet tasty supper that requires little preparation or cleaning, giving you a sense of accomplishment and self-assurance.
