5 Delicious Recipes You Can Cook with Basic Ingredients

Have you ever wanted to cook something but found yourself staring at an empty fridge wondering what to make? Don't fret! With just a handful of basic ingredients, you can whip up some delicious meals. Here are five simple recipes that you can easily make with common pantry staples.

Pasta Aglio e Olio

Ingredients: Spaghetti or any pasta Olive oil Garlic Red pepper flakes (optional) Salt Parsley (optional)

Instructions: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water then drain. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced garlic and sauté until golden. Add red pepper flakes if using, and then add the drained pasta. Toss to combine. If it seems dry, add a bit of reserved pasta water. Season with salt. Garnish with chopped parsley if you have it. Serve warm.

Vegetable Stir-Fry

Ingredients: Any vegetables e.g. bell peppers, carrots, broccoli Soy sauce Garlic or ginger (optional) Oil for cooking Rice or noodles (optional)

Instructions: Chop your vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Heat oil in a pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic or ginger if using. Add the vegetables and stir-fry until tender but still crisp. Pour in soy sauce and stir to coat. Cook for another minute. Serve over cooked rice or noodles if desired.

Omelette

Ingredients: Eggs Salt and pepper Any fillings e.g. cheese, vegetables, ham

Instructions: Beat 2-3 eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and add a bit of oil or butter. Pour in the eggs and cook until the edges start to set. Add your fillings to one side and fold the omelette in half. Cook for another minute until the inside is set. Serve warm.

Rice and Beans

Ingredients: Rice Canned or cooked beans (any type) Onion (optional) Garlic (optional) Spices e.g. cumin, paprika

Instructions: Cook rice according to package instructions. In a pan, sauté chopped onion and garlic in a bit of oil if using. Add the beans and spices and cook until heated through. Serve the bean mixture over rice.

Banana Pancakes

Ingredients: 1 ripe banana 2 eggs Baking powder (optional) Oil or butter for cooking

Instructions: Mash the banana in a bowl and mix in the eggs until well combined. If desired, add a pinch of baking powder for fluffiness. Heat a non-stick skillet and add a little oil or butter. Pour small amounts of the batter into the pan and cook until bubbles form, then flip and cook until golden. Serve with syrup or fruit.

Feel free to mix and match ingredients based on what you have available! Enjoy your cooking! Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, these recipes provide a fun and simple way to create a delicious meal from your kitchen basics. Happy cooking!