Beginner Recipe Ideas?

[Peregrinner]

Being the very inexperienced chef that I am, I was wondering if some of the culinary masters on this site may be willing to provide me with a few fun, tasty, but fairly easy recipes to try out.

As I said, my cooking experience goes about as far as macaroni and cheese from a box, but I would really like to try to step it up a bit. I have plenty of experience being around good cooking - my father has been known to make some damn good meals - but I've never really tried anything too complicated myself.

I've been looking around at Food Network recipes, but it has become clear that in many cases my definition of an 'easy' recipe is much different from theirs. Also, I think some of the posters on here would be able to give more in-depth 'lived' advice about what to do (and what not to do!)

I found a few recipes for pulled pork that looked quite possible, but the long cooking times might make for some problems. Basically, if any of you have some fairly easy recipes that would be possible without the luxury of a large grill and a yard (see - small porch) that isn't adjacent to the Varsity Lanes parking lot (and the various shady characters that frequent it), I'd really appreciate the help.

[hammb]

You mention you make mac & cheese from a box, so I thought I'd give you my favorite recipe: real Mac & Cheese.

1# elbow macaroni
4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
2 cups milk
1# of assorted shredded cheese (I like sharp cheddar/mild cheddar/mozzarella in some combination)

*** I should note that I don't ever measure, so these are approximations...I likely use more cheese than just a pound though

Process:

Put water on to boil & cook pasta. While that is cooking start the cheese sauce:

In large skillet/saucepan melt the butter. When it is melted whisk in the flour. This is a simple roux. For this recipe you don't want the roux to get real dark, so have the milk ready. If the roux starts to get too dark or burn scrap it. You're only out some butter & flour at this point, and it WILL ruin the entire dish. You want it to just be a light golden color.

When the roux is well formed, begin whisking in the milk. I have used 1% & whole milk. This recipe is far better with whole milk (but less healthy). You could also sub in some heavy cream or half and half to make it even better. As the milk gets combined with the roux let it come to a simmer. As it boils it should start to thicken. Now start adding the shredded cheese a handful at a time. Let one handful melt, before adding the next. You can use any cheese you like so long as it's something that melts well...

When your pasta is done drain it, and put it back in your pot that you cooked it in. Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni, and stir.

Honestly this only takes marginally more time than boxed mac & cheese, and tastes a million times better. I like to mix it up with some ham or some broccoli added from time to time. It's always great and really it's not that difficult. The only way I've ever screwed it up was by accidentally buying low fat cheese...that wasn't very good as it melted all lumpy in texture.

[Peregrinner]

Sounds pretty good. I was going to make Pizza di Spaghetti for my brother and his girlfriend when they come over, but this seems like more of a surefire option, especially with the ham, or possibly even the broccoli (shock-horror).

Thanks for the suggestion!

[hammb]

Sounds pretty good. I was going to make Pizza di Spaghetti for my brother and his girlfriend when they come over, but this seems like more of a surefire option, especially with the ham, or possibly even the broccoli (shock-horror).

Thanks for the suggestion!

If you're going to add Broccoli, I usually throw some fresh broccoli in for the last couple minutes of the pasta cook. Ham can be added after you combine the noodles & sauce...just turn the burner on for a minute or two and it'll warm right up.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

If you're adding broccoli, crumble some bacon in near the end. Great combination for Mac and Cheese. When I make homemade MC, I usually use broccoli and chicken made with olive oil, and some paprika.

What kind of foods are you looking to try out? Italian/pasta stuff? Meat? Stews? Do you have a oven/stovetop? Do you have a crock-pot? If you don't...GET ONE!! Crock pots are king at making delicious homestyle meals extremely easily. I made a rump roast with roasted garlic redskin potatoes, onions, mushrooms, and baby carrots yesterday that was awesome, and the prep time was under 15 minutes.

[TG1996]

Do you have a crock-pot? If you don't...GET ONE!! Crock pots are king at making delicious homestyle meals extremely easily.

Just broke mine out last night again. Threw a roast in there on low before I went to bed (rubbed w/ salt, pepper and garlic powder), pulled it out this morning (about 11 hours cook time) and it pulls apart almost on it's own. I fridge it pulled, then microwave with some BBQ sauce for sandwiches for a week. If you make it for a group, you can obviously sauce it out of the pot and it's much tastier, and couldn't be easier.

As J4H said, you can always throw carrots, taters and onions in there for a side dish as well.

[Zom]

I did something like this the other night:

a couple of jars of your favourite spaghetti bolognese sauce
4 chicken breasts
spaghetti, the longer the better
3 healthy handfuls of mozzerella cheese
salt, pepper, etc. etc.

Brown the chicken breasts in a sizzling oven dish (or brown in a frying pan, then put in oven dish). Don't cook them, just brown them lightly. Pour in the spaghtetti sauce, put a lid on, and put in an oven pre warmed with the oven dial set "somewhere in the middle" of for about 45mins - 60 mins, or until the chicken has cooked through.

Big glass of wine.

Make the spaghetti.

While the spaghetti is under way, spread the mozeralla over the chicken, put back in oven until melted.

Serve.

I use mozerealla because the kids have figured out they can double the mess they could otherwise make with spaghetti alone. Parmesan cheese is probably better for the mature gourmet, and there are lots of twists and turns to add if you want. Maybe the easiest would be some freshly chopped basil to sprinkle on before servinig.

[Ineedbotox]

You talked about making something pizza related, which made me think of an easy recipie you could try:

Hot Pizza Dip

1 8 oz. package cream cheese softened
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
3/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 8 oz. can pizza sauce
2 tablespoons green pepper chopped
2 tablespoons green onions sliced

Preheat oven to 350° F. Combine cream cheese and Italian seasonings , spread onto a 8" mini-baker.

In a small bowl, combine mozzarella and parmesan. Sprinkle 1/2 on top of the cream cheese. Spread pizza sauce over the cheese mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Top with bell pepper and green onions.

Bake for 15-18 minutes. Serve with pita chips or garlic bread slices.

Another super easy meal is Enchiladas. Just brown ground beef, add taco seasoning to it. Take flour tortillas and put the cooked beef with some cheese in, and roll them up and put them in a baking dish. Then pour a can of enchilada sauce, or whatever salsa you like on top of it, then top with lots of cheese. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. Very yummy.

[1987alum]

One of my favorite bachelor recipes ...

Soak two boneless chicken breasts in "zesty" Italian salad dressing, preferably a few hours. I would often leave them in the fridge while I was at work.

Broil chicken breasts in oven.

Nuke frozen peas in microwave for a short bit, maybe 45 seconds or so.
Cook pasta & drain.

Mix pasta, butter, peas, oregano, basil and black pepper.

Remove chicken breasts and dust with grated parmesean.

Quick & dirty recipe. I would sometimes make three chicken breasts, making chicken salad with the leftover (I've always brown-bagged my lunch!).

[transfer2BGSU]

Another chicken breast idea that can be done in the crock pot -

Put the chicken breasts in the crock pot along with a box of rice (I like the various Zatarin's types).

Add in a can of Campbell's Soup chicken broth and a can of Campbell's Soup cheese sauce.

NOTE: Do not add water. The chicken broth is in lieu of water.

If you want to dice the chicken breasts, you can do that as well. I usually put four chicken breasts in the crock pot and then have two for dinner and have the remaining two later in the week (or for lunch the next day).

[Falconfliccbone]

Here's one that is really easy and you can get creative with it. It's also rather healthy. You can fix for as many people as you want, or you can do a single serving. I'll do the recipe for 2 people.

Ingredients:
2 frozen chicken breasts or 6 chicken tenders (what works well are the frozen kind that Meijer sells in bags...especially if you can get them on the buy one, get one free sale)
Frozen mixed vegetables (or you can just do carrots, peas, green beans...basically whatever you like and are comfortable with)
2 regular potatoes (if you want)
Spices and herbs to taste

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Dice potatoes...or you can leave them in strips or slices, it's up to you.
3. For the chicken, I prefer to leave it frozen and just toss spices on it before cooking. My roommate prefers to defrost the chicken a bit and then put it in a large bowl with lid with a little bit of vegetable oil.
4. Combine all ingredients including the spices and herbs either in the bowl with vegetable oil or just put them on a piece of aluminum foil. After you mix the ingredients in the bowl (making sure to mix up the spices and herbs well), pour all contents onto aluminum foil. Fold the aluminum foil so all the food is covered and there are no gaps between the foil.
5. Put in the oven (either by itself or on a cookie sheet). Bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, either open the foil carefully (it will be hot!) or flip the entire packet over. Bake for another 15-20 minutes depending on oven until the chicken is done.

The chicken and veggies are really moist. Clean up is easy because you just wash the bowl and throw away the foil. If that doesn't sound like enough of a meal, you can take the potatoes out and make another side dish like baked potatoes (you can microwave a potato for 5-10 minutes and it will be baked), mashed potatoes, or this baked potato dish where you dice the potatoes, toss them with some spices in vegetable oil, put in a 9" x 13" baking pan, and bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring a couple of times.

Also, a George Foreman grill are small enough for limited counter space, and make some pretty tasty food.

[transfer2BGSU]

Get a head of cabbage and cut it into quarters.

Get a Vidalia Onion (MUST be vidalia if you want it to be any good) and chop it up. Put the vidalia onion into the cabbage.

Lop a whole heaping lot of butter onto the cabbage.

Double wrap the cabbage in tin foil.

Place on the grill and turn it over every five-to-seven minutes (gets the butter to run throughout the cabbage). Do this for about 20-25 minutes.

Enjoy!

[hammb]

Get a head of cabbage and cut it into quarters.

Get a Vidalia Onion (MUST be vidalia if you want it to be any good) and chop it up. Put the vidalia onion into the cabbage.

Lop a whole heaping lot of butter onto the cabbage.

Double wrap the cabbage in tin foil.

Place on the grill and turn it over every five-to-seven minutes (gets the butter to run throughout the cabbage). Do this for about 20-25 minutes.

Enjoy!

Not recommended if you will be in public anytime in the next 3 days

[Peregrinner]

I did something like this the other night:

a couple of jars of your favourite spaghetti bolognese sauce
4 chicken breasts
spaghetti, the longer the better
3 healthy handfuls of mozzerella cheese
salt, pepper, etc. etc.

Brown the chicken breasts in a sizzling oven dish (or brown in a frying pan, then put in oven dish). Don't cook them, just brown them lightly. Pour in the spaghtetti sauce, put a lid on, and put in an oven pre warmed with the oven dial set "somewhere in the middle" of for about 45mins - 60 mins, or until the chicken has cooked through.

Big glass of wine.

Make the spaghetti.

While the spaghetti is under way, spread the mozeralla over the chicken, put back in oven until melted.

Serve.

I use mozerealla because the kids have figured out they can double the mess they could otherwise make with spaghetti alone. Parmesan cheese is probably better for the mature gourmet, and there are lots of twists and turns to add if you want. Maybe the easiest would be some freshly chopped basil to sprinkle on before servinig.

Attempted this one tonight - delicious. I was making it for myself only, so I had to reduce the amounts just a bit, but it worked out very well. Thanks!

Now that I've proven that I can cook without burning the house down or dying of food poisoning, my parents have requested that I make dinner next time I'm home... I may end up making this for the family.