The Only Recipes Beginner Cooks Really Need

 The Only Recipes Beginner Cooks Really Need

Are you just starting out as a beginner cook? If so, you might be wondering what recipe books are the most useful to you in your first few months of learning the ropes of cooking. Here’s the only recipes beginner cooks really need. We’ve included links to these recipes below so you can easily access them and give them a try!

Soups

Most people agree that chicken soup is a go-to meal for when you’re feeling sick or under-the-weather. Chicken soup can be made using inexpensive, versatile ingredients like boneless, skinless chicken breasts; potatoes; carrots; and onions. Throw in some fresh herbs for flavor if you have them on hand. I recommend adding fresh ginger to boost your immune system!

Salads

While not glamorous, salads are a great option for beginner cooks because they don’t require you to work with any complex cooking equipment or techniques. Use leafy greens and vegetables in your salad; avoid starchy fillers like pasta and potatoes. Avoid cheese and high-fat dressings unless you’re trying to lose weight (but keep things light—no fattening ranch!). And always add a protein source, such as grilled chicken or shrimp.

Sandwiches

Make a sandwich, pack it in a bag, and go. Simple, but there’s an art to doing it right. Here are some sandwich basics. When you get comfortable with these techniques and ideas, it’ll be time to make an open-faced or two-fisted sandwich for lunch—the next level of mastery. But if you really want to blow your lunch break’s mind, think about putting meatballs on your pizza.

Pasta Section: Stir Fry Section: Roasted

Cabbage or Broccoli with Red Bell Pepper and Almonds: Bean Section: Cucumber Salsa: Mexican Potato Tacos: Summertime Potato Salad

Curry

I know it’s a cliché, but there’s a reason Indian curries are so beloved: they’re delicious. The combination of spices and flavors, especially when you start to add in aromatics like ginger, garlic, or chilies is something else entirely. And if you haven’t added curry to a dish yet and want to give it a try, we promise you won’t be disappointed.

Casseroles

It’s hard to go wrong with a casserole: You basically throw everything in a pan and then bake it. That said, while they are easy to make, there are many ways you can mess them up. Check out these basic casserole recipes that are a great place to start if you want to develop your cooking skills.

Desserts

If you’re just getting started in your culinary adventures, desserts are a good place to start—there’s no risk of burning yourself or making something that tastes bad. Plus, most of these desserts are pretty simple and require little more than standard ingredients. Whether you’re looking for something decadent like chocolate mousse or just want to try your hand at something new (like tiramisu), we have dessert recipes for you to choose from!