10 Dishes to Make You Fall in Love with Cooking

10 Dishes to Make You Fall in Love with Cooking

When I think about cooking, I think about two things: the joy of eating and the magic that happens when you take raw ingredients and turn them into something delicious (and usually healthy). Cooking doesn’t have to be difficult or intimidating; in fact, these 10 dishes are so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start cooking long ago! From pasta dishes to pizza and dessert recipes, this collection of simple recipes will inspire you to get into the kitchen ASAP. Trust me—once you start making your own food, you won’t ever go back to store-bought again!

1) How To Make Tomato Sauce

Tomatoes are an excellent, healthy ingredient that can serve as a stand-alone ingredient or complement many others. If you’re intimidated by cooking, start by making tomato sauce. It’s super easy, and it’s a great base for countless other dishes—tomato sauce can be used as a topping for grilled cheese sandwiches or pizza, or tossed over pasta or meats (it’s delicious on top of chicken parmesan).

2) How To Make Vegan Mayonnaise

After going vegan, many folks say they miss mayonnaise. There are some great store-bought options out there, but it’s also very easy to make at home. All you need is a jar of Vegenaise—an eggless mayo substitute made from safflower oil and liquid aminos—and a blender or food processor. It takes only 5 minutes.

3) How To Bake A Cake

Although most cakes are made using just a few simple ingredients, baking them can be tricky—especially if you’re new to the kitchen. To bake a cake perfectly, follow these easy steps: First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

4) How To Boil an Egg

Hard-boiled eggs are a go-to snack because they’re super simple and easy to make. All you need is a pot, some eggs, and enough water to cover your eggs. Bring them up to a boil and cook for 10 minutes. If you want perfectly soft-boiled eggs that don’t have that green ring around them, use 11 minutes instead.

5) How To Cook a Steak

A succulent steak is every carnivore’s dream, but it can be tough to perfect. Follow these steps and you’ll enjoy steak that’s juicy, tender and evenly cooked throughout. Remember that cooking times will vary depending on your cut of meat—the thicker it is, the longer it will take.

6) How To Prepare A Salad

When you think about it, salads are really simple to make. All you have to do is combine a few ingredients (i.e., greens, veggies, meat or seafood) into one bowl. A salad can be as simple as a bed of lettuce topped with tomatoes and mozzarella, but there’s a lot more than meets the eye when it comes to preparing what we eat every day.

7) How To Grill Vegetables

People often opt for burgers, sausages, or some other delicious but unhealthy fare when they fire up their grills. But it’s just as easy (and much more nutritious) to cook your favorite veggies on a grill. Add a handful of herbs and your favorite marinade, and you’ll have yourself a gourmet meal fit for any occasion. Here are 10 dishes that make grilling veggies easy and fun.

8) How To Cook Rice

Rice is a great base for so many dishes; it can be mixed with flavorful ingredients or served alongside your favorite proteins. When cooking rice, there are a few things you should keep in mind: If you’re using long-grain rice, 2 cups of water (or chicken broth) per 1 cup of uncooked rice is typically sufficient.

9) How To Steam Veggies and Fish at the Same Time

This is a great dish for someone who’s just learning how to cook. By cooking fish and veggies at once, you save time and money and get two healthy meals from one purchase. All you need is a few basic ingredients: fillets of white fish, asparagus, rosemary, a head of garlic, lemons and your favorite vegetables. By placing these ingredients in a steam basket, you can keep them all nice and juicy while giving each their own flavor.

10) All About Stews

From down-home comfort food to romantic date night dinners, stews are among a cook’s most versatile dishes. Because they require long cooking times and very little attention, these slow-cooked meals are a great way for new cooks to develop their skills. Be it chicken paprikash or beef bourguignon, these 10 recipes will teach you everything you need to know about one of America’s favorite ways to cook.