Mastering the Basics: 5 Easy Dishes for Cooking Beginners

Transitioning into the fascinating world of cooking while ensuring that you have a bit of fun along the way. Whether you are a total novice or just starting out, cooking can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Here, we will explore five easy dishes that are perfect for beginners to practice and refine their culinary skills:

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

One of the simplest and most comforting dishes to start with, grilled cheese sandwiches are a classic for a reason. All you need is bread, cheese, and a bit of butter. Assembling the sandwich and grilling it on the stovetop takes minimal effort and yields delicious results every time. This dish is versatile, too, as you can use various types of bread and cheeses to cater to different tastes.

Pasta with Tomato Sauce

A simple yet satisfying meal, pasta with tomato sauce is perfect for beginners. It involves boiling pasta and warming up a store-bought or homemade tomato sauce. You can experiment with different pasta shapes and sauce flavors to keep things interesting. This dish not only provides a solid introduction to basic cooking skills but also allows for personal touches such as adding fresh basil or garlic.

Scrambled Eggs

Eggs are an inexpensive and versatile ingredient that can be prepared in countless ways. Scrambling them is a straightforward process that requires only a few steps: cracking, whisking, and cooking in a pan. Beginners can add variations like cheese, vegetables, or herbs to elevate the dish. Scrambled eggs are not only simple to make but also a great way to start the day with a nutritious meal.

Baked Chicken Breasts

Seasoning chicken breasts and roasting them in the oven is a simple way to prepare a protein-rich main dish. This dish is particularly ideal for beginners as it focuses on the core skills of seasoning and roasting. Learning how to tell when chicken is cooked through without overcooking it is a valuable lesson in cooking that can be applied to many other protein dishes. You can add herbs and spices to the chicken for added flavor during the roasting process.

Stir-Fry

Quickly cooking bite-sized pieces of meat or tofu with fresh vegetables is an excellent way to teach beginners fundamental kitchen techniques such as chopping, timing, and using the right seasonings. Stir-fry dishes are not only easy to make but also offer a world of flavor through the use of different vegetables and proteins. Plus, they are a quick and healthy meal option.

When I started cooking in my mid-20s, I did not have any practical cooking experience. I knew how to make simple dishes that do not take too much time and effort but are creative enough to keep you interested. If you attempt laborious dishes right at the start, you will lose interest in the process. As a beginner, you could try making some of these dishes:

Khichdi Simple pastas with vegetables Soups Garlic toast or Bruschetta Chocolate chip cookies Sooji cake

These dishes cover a range of cooking methods, including grilling, baking, sautéing, and using a variety of ingredients. By practicing these easy dishes, you will build fundamental skills in the kitchen and gain confidence in your culinary abilities. Happy cooking!