7 Easy Recipes for Beginners

When it comes to the world of cooking someone who’s just beginning to cook might become overwhelmed. Some recipes call for some serious and intricate techniques to complete a dish. Even if you know what all the terms and phrases mean you still need to practice in order to execute them properly. Here are a few recipes to help any beginner get their feet wet in the kitchen.

First, I’ll start with one of my favorite things to make. They’re not only fun to make but delicious to eat!

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour            ¾ cup granulated sugar                 1 tsp. baking soda

¾ packed brown sugar                  1 tsp. salt                                          1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup softened butter                    2 large eggs                                      2 cups chocolate chips

STEP 1 Preheat oven to 375F. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in large bowl until creamy. Add eggs and beat well. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheet.

STEP 2 Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes. Remove and place on wire rack to cool completely.

2. Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo

1 lb. fettuccine                                 3 tbsp. butter, divided                   1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined

salt                                                      ground black pepper                      2 cloves of minced garlic

2 tbsp. all-purpose flour                1 cup heavy cream                         ½ cup whole milk

1 egg yolk                                          1 cup parmesan                               1 tbsp. chopped parsley

STEP 1 Cook fettuccine according to the instructions on box. Reserves a cup of pasta water to thicken sauce.

STEP 2 Combine 1 tbsp of melted butter, shrimp, salt and pepper in a large skillet. Cook until the shrimp is pink and completely opaque, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside.

STEP 3 Add the remaining 2 tbsp of butter and garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until you can smell the garlic. Whish in flour and cook until no longer raw, about 2 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and milk, then whisk in the egg yolk. Bring to pan to a low simmer and whisk in parmesan. When cheese is melted, and sauce has thickened slightly, add the cooked pasta and shrimp. Toss the ingredients to combine. Season with salt and pepper then garnish with parmesan and parley.

3. Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

1/3 cup honey                                  ¼ cup soy sauce                               2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp red pepper flakes                 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil           4 6oz salmon fillets, patted dry

Salt                                                     ground black pepper                      3 cloves of minced garlic

1 lemon sliced into rounds           freshly chopped parsley

STEP 1 In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes.

STEP 2 In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat two tbsp of oil. When oil is hot but not smoking, add salmon skin-side up and season with salt and pepper. Cook salmon until deeply golden, about 6 minutes, then flip over and add remaining oil.

STEP 3 Add the garlic to the skillet and cook about 1 minute until you can smell the garlic. Add the honey mixture and sliced lemons and cook until sauce is reduced by about 1/3. Baste salmon with the sauce. Then garnish with the lemon slices and parsley.

4. Lemon Pepper Chicken

½ cup all-purpose flour                 1 tsp salt                                           1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning

2 lemons divided                             2 tbsp butter                                    1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil           ½ cup chicken broth                       2 cloves minced garlic

Fresh chopped parsley

STEP 1 Preheat over to 400F. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, lemon pepper, salt, and zest of 1 lemon. Toss chicken breasts in the flour mixture until fully coated. Slice remaining lemon into thin rounds.

STEP 2 In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add chicken in a single layer and cook until golden on bottom, about 5 minutes, then flip chicken breasts.

STEP 3 Add broth, butter, garlic, and lemon slices to skillet. Bake until chicken is cooked through and sauce has reduced slightly, 15 minutes.

STEP 4 Spoon sauce on top of chicken and garnish with parsley.

5. Hamburger Steak with Sweet Onion-Mushroom Gravy Recipe

2 honey wheat bread slices          1 lb. ground round                          1 egg

2 cloves minced garlic                   ½ tsp salt                                           ½ tsp ground pepper

1 pack brown gravy mix                1 tbsp vegetable oil                        1 package sliced mushrooms

1 medium sweet onion

STEP 1 Finely chop bread slices. Place breadcrumbs in a mixing bowl. Add ground round, lightly beaten egg, garlic, salt, and pepper. Combine until blended, using your hands. Shape into 4 patties.

STEP 2 Whisk together brown gravy mix and 1 ½ cups water.

STEP 3 Cook patties in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 2 minutes on each side or just until browned. Remove patties from skillet. Add mushrooms and onion to skillet, sauté for 6 minutes. Stir prepared gravy, and spoon gravy over each patty. Cover and reduce heat to low and let simmer for 8 to 10 minutes.

STEP 4 Serve and spoon extra sauce on top.

6. Lemon-Herb Chicken Kebabs

½ cup fresh parsley                         ½ cup cilantro leaves                     2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp fresh oregano                     1 tbsp honey                                    ½ tsp crushed red pepper

6 tbsp olive oil                                 2 tsp salt                                           1 tsp black pepper

2 small lemons                                 12 oz thick asparagus

1 ¼ lb. boneless chicken thighs cut into 1in strips

STEP 1 Stir together parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, oregano, honey, red pepper, 5 tbsp of oil, 1 tsp of salt, and ½ tsp black pepper in a medium bowl. Toss the chicken in the mixture to coat. Chill for an hour.

STEP 2 Preheat grill to medium-high. Toss asparagus and lemon slices with remaining 1 tbsp of oil. Remove chicken from marinade. Thread chicken, asparagus, and lemon slices tightly onto 8 skewers, folding chicken strips and lemon slices in half as needed. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tsp of salt and ½ tsp black pepper. Place kebabs on lightly greased grill grate. Grill, uncovered, until asparagus is tender, and chicken is charred and cooked through about 12 to 14 minutes, turning occasionally.

7. Lemon Garlic Shrimp

2 tbsp butter divided                      1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil           1 lb. medium shrimp

1 lemon thinly slice                        3 cloves minced garlic                   1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Salt                                                     2 tbsp dry white wine                    Chopped parsley

STEP 1 In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tbsp butter and olive oil. Add shrimp, lemon slices, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shrimp is pink and opaque. About 3 minutes per side.

STEP 2 Remove from heat and stir in remaining butter, lemon juice, and white wine. Season with salt and garnish with parsley before serving.

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