Cooking can be a true passion for many, fun and enjoyable hobby for some, yet others may find the whole ordeal stressful. And although the best chefs in the world are extremely innovative and talented, the craft is more about honing one’s skills and understanding food than it is anything else.
Even people who are not very skilled in the kitchen can whip up a simple meal, especially today with the convenience of the internet and websites like YouTube where you can not only listen but also see and follow someone’s instructions on how to make a certain dish.
Food has always been one of the best ways to bring people together, create bonds, and it is always one of the main things people look forward to during the holidays and big celebrations.
As an activity, cooking can also bring certain benefits, for example, relieve stress, make one feel happy and connected with others, self-care, and much more. People are constantly looking for easier ways to prepare delicious meals since many do not have enough free time to cook.
So, if you are one of those people or are simply looking for dinner ideas, here are some recipes that are very easy to follow and take a short time to make.
Contents
1. 15-Minute Beef and Broccoli
Source: thespruceeats
This is a dish that is extremely fast to prepare but is still much healthier than takeout beef and broccoli. Keep in mind it tastes the best when served while hot.
For 4 servings of this meal, you will need 450 grams of steak, 2-3 cups of soy sauce, 1/2 a cup of chicken stock, 1/4 cup of honey, 2 tbs brown sugar, olive oil, and vinegar, 1 tbs of cornstarch, a broccoli head.
Preparation
Step 1 – Slice the meat and broccoli beforehand and then take a medium-sized bowl and combine all the ingredients except the meat and broccoli.
Step 2 – Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a larger pan and cook the meat for 2 minutes on each side or until it is nice and brown. Add your mix and broccoli into the pan, stir it, and let it cook until the mixture slightly thickens.
2. Yummy Fried Rice with Vegetables
Source: simplyscratch
There are two ways to prepare this healthy meal, one which includes using your stove and the other using an Instant Pot. The ingredients are enough for 4 servings.
You will need 1 cup of white or brown rice, 450 grams of vegetable of your choice, 2 cups of vegetable broth (for the instant pot), 2 tablespoons of oil, 1/2 chopped onion, 2 cloves of garlic, salt, pepper, 2 eggs.
First Preparation Type
Step 1 – Wash the rice with cold water and cook it in for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 2 – While you are waiting for the rice to cook, use a skillet and heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the vegetables, onion, and garlic and cook it for 8 to 10 minutes. Once it is finished, add the rice and make a well in it. Pour your whisked eggs and stir. Your meal is ready to be served.
Second Preparation Type
The biggest advantage of this appliance is that you only need the instant pot to prepare the entire meal. It will cook the rice for you and saute the vegetables, so you can prepare the entire dish in a single pot.
Step 1 – Add the washed rice, broth, and 2 diced carrots into the instant pot and close the lid. Set the timer to 24 minutes and after it warms up, it will start releasing steam. Before opening the lid, you need to let all the steam out which you can do by pressing the ‘Venting‘ button. Stir the rice a bit and place it into a bowl.
Step 2 – Go for the ‚Saute‘ option and once it notifies you that it is ready, cook the onion for a minute and then start adding the vegetables, garlic, pepper, salt, and all the other ingredients. Once this is done, mix the rice and vegetables.
Step 3 – Make a well, pour the eggs, stir, and enjoy!
If you are interested in learning more about this instant cooker, websites such as cookerspedia offer helpful guides and reviews on these appliances.
3. Chili Con Carne
Source: seriouseats
Although the influence of Mexican cuisine can be seen in the name and ingredient list of this dish, it is actually the staple dish of the state of Texas.
The ingredients you will need include 500 grams of ground beef, 2 cans of red beans, 2 cans of corn, 2 cups of tomato sauce, 1 larger diced onion, 2-4 cloves of garlic, chili powder, salt, pepper, cumin.
Preparation
Step 1 – Heat 2-3 tbs of olive oil in a deeper pan or a pot and saute the onion until it is nice and golden. Add the meat, garlic, and chili powder and stir.
Step 2 – Add the tomato sauce, pepper, cumin, salt, and a pinch of sugar, stir the ingredients nicely and let it cook for about 10 minutes.
Step 3 – After the time has elapsed, add the beans and corn and let it cook for an additional half an hour. Chili Con Carne goes well with cornbread and tortillas.
4. Bolognese
Source: realfood
You can never go wrong when serving this dish and it is also extremely easy and fast to whip up.
You will need 500 gr of spaghetti, 200 grams ground meat, 2 cups of tomato sauce, 1 larger onion, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, majoram, and parmesan.
Preparation
Step 1 – Cook the spaghetti in a pot and add a bit of salt and some oil.
Step 2 – Saute the onion, add the meat and continue stirring. After the meat has sauteed for a while, add the tomato juice and wait until it boils after which you will take the dish off of the stove.
Step 3 – Place the spaghetti into plates and grate fresh parmesan on top.
Conclusion
There is nothing more delicious than eating a meal that you prepared with great care and effort. Even if you are not an expert cook, consider preparing one of the dishes listed above. Enjoy good food and spending time with your family and friends and who knows, you might even get a confidence booster from all the compliments and praise you will receive.
