Recently, when my mother came over…
…she and Anton prepared a wonderful dinner: Ina Garten’s parmesan chicken. The process involves coating chicken breasts in flour, eggs, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese; then sautéing them and topping with lemony salad greens.
The chicken turned out flavorful, and it was simple enough for the boys and me to recreate a few nights after my mom returned to Michigan. (We accompanied it with mashed potatoes and green beans here, but the chicken and salad could stand alone if you prefer a lighter option.)
A few days later, Anton, Toby, and I prepared rice and beans along with a variety of toppings: red peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, corn, rotisserie chicken, crushed taco shells, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and hot sauce. We filled our bowls and enjoyed a meal together on the sofa. “Mom, you should give yourself some credit for this dinner,” Toby remarked, as Anton went for his third serving. Overall, a hit!
I’ve oftentimes joked about my cooking abilities — and it’s true that I’m not the best — but there are a few dishes I can reliably cook. Here are five recipes we often make:
Coconut chicken and rice (we skip the chicken broth to make it more of a curry than a soup)
Chicken parmesan meatballs
Pasta with broccoli pesto
Tuna melts
Migas tacos
Bonus: anything — like frozen pizza, rotisserie chicken, or spaghetti with tomato sauce — paired with a caesar salad (my boys love this).
So, I’d love to know: what five recipes do you have mastered? The ones you can always count on? The ones you even know by heart? Please share below…
P.S. Not the best cook, but a fantastic mom; and nine family dinners we’ve cherished together.
# Five Essential Recipes to Enhance Your Culinary Skills
Cooking is a creative endeavor that necessitates practice, inspiration, and a strong foundation of techniques. Whether you’re a novice aiming to gain confidence in the kitchen or a seasoned home chef wanting to broaden your cooking skills, mastering a select few recipes can greatly improve your culinary artistry. These five essential recipes are adaptable, teach vital techniques, and will surely impress anyone fortunate enough to dine with you.
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## 1. **Traditional Roast Chicken**
### Why It Matters:
Roasting a chicken is fundamental to achieving culinary expertise. It guides you in how to season, truss, and cook fowl to excellence while ensuring a crispy, golden exterior and juicy, savory meat.
### Essential Techniques:
– **Trussing:** Binding the chicken for uniform cooking.
– **Seasoning:** Perfecting the mix of salt, pepper, and herbs.
– **Temperature Regulation:** Learning the right roasting temperature for tender meat.
### Recipe Steps:
– Heat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
– Generously season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic, and fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme.
– Roast for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature achieves 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the thigh.
– Allow it to rest for 10 minutes before carving for optimum juiciness.
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## 2. **Fresh Pasta with Tomato Sauce**
### Why It Matters:
Creating pasta from scratch imparts the significance of texture and patience. A simple tomato sauce emphasizes the value of high-quality, fresh ingredients.
### Essential Techniques:
– **Dough Preparation:** Mixing flour and eggs to form a smooth, flexible dough.
– **Rolling and Cutting:** Utilizing a pasta machine or rolling pin to attain the desired thickness.
– **Sauce Simplicity:** Balancing the acidity and sweetness in a tomato sauce.
### Recipe Steps:
– Mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour with 3 large eggs. Knead until smooth, then let it rest for 30 minutes.
– Roll out the dough and cut it into your preferred shape (like fettuccine or tagliatelle).
– For the sauce, sauté garlic in olive oil, add fresh tomatoes, and simmer with basil and a hint of sugar. Toss with pasta and top with Parmesan.
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## 3. **Risotto**
### Why It Matters:
Risotto teaches patience and technique. This creamy Italian dish demands constant care, educating you on layering flavors and achieving an ideal texture.
### Essential Techniques:
– **Sautéing Base Ingredients:** Building flavor with onions, garlic, and butter.
– **Deglazing:** Using wine to lift browned bits from the pan.
– **Stirring and Timing:** Gradually adding broth and stirring for a creamy outcome.
### Recipe Steps:
– Sauté finely diced onion in butter until translucent. Add Arborio rice and toast for a minute or two.
– Deglaze with white wine, then add warm chicken or vegetable stock one ladle at a time, stirring continuously.
– Finish with Parmesan cheese, butter, and fresh herbs like parsley.
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## 4. **Beef Bourguignon**
### Why It Matters:
This iconic French dish is a masterclass in braising, a method that turns tough meat cuts into tender, flavorful meals. It also illustrates how to develop rich flavors through layering.
### Essential Techniques:
– **Searing:** Browning meat to develop a deep flavor.
– **Deglazing and Braising:** Slow-cooking meat in liquid for tenderness.
– **Flavor Layering:** Marrying wine, herbs, and aromatics for depth.
### Recipe Steps:
– Sear pieces of beef in a Dutch oven until browned. Remove them and set aside.
– Sauté onions, carrots, and garlic, then deglaze with red wine.
– Return the beef to the pot, add beef stock, tomato paste, and fresh thyme, and simmer for 2-3 hours until tender.
– Serve alongside crusty bread or creamy mashed potatoes.
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## 5. **Chocolate Soufflé**
### Why It Matters:
A soufflé is the ultimate test of precision and timing. This dessert instructs you on whipping egg whites to peaks, gently folding ingredients, and achieving the perfect rise through careful baking.
### Essential Techniques:
– **Whipping Egg Whites:** Creating stiff peaks for structure.
– **Folding:** Incorporating ingredients without deflating.
– **Baking Accuracy:** Timing and temperature control for optimal rise.
### Recipe Steps:
– Melt dark chocolate with butter and allow it to cool. Separate the eggs and beat the yolks into the chocolate mixture.
– Whip egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form, then gently fold into the chocolate mixture.
