Cooking for dummies!

lovemybabies

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I'm interested in teaching myself to cook in my free time on breaks from school! I only know how to do a few things (stew, chicken bake, fettucine alfredo), so I want to start simple. Does anyone know some good, easy recipe webpages, or better yet, have any easy recipes they can post? Appetizers, entrees, desserts...doesn't matter!
 

neetanddave

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Easy enchiladas...

1 bag of frozen burritos (from Walmart, usually 10 in a bag) (we like the bean and green chilie ones)
2 cans enchilada sauce (red, not green)
1 8oz bag shredded cheese (cheddar, mexican blend, whatever you like)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray bottom of 8 1/2 x 11 casserole with cooking spray. Place burritos in single layer in dish (might have a few left for microwaving
). Cover with enchilada sauce and cheese. Cover with foil (don't touch the cheese) and bake for 25 minutes. remove foil and bake for 5 additional minutes.

Serve topped with sour cream, chopped green onions, guacamole, etc.
 

gailuvscats

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I like Epicurious site for recipes. You can list your ingredients and they will give you recipes for them.
 

katiemae1277

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There's a magazine called Simple & Delicious and the recipes in it are just that! You can usually find the magazine at the grocery store.
 
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lovemybabies

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Originally Posted by katiemae1277

There's a magazine called Simple & Delicious and the recipes in it are just that! You can usually find the magazine at the grocery store.
Ooh, I will check it out next time I'm there...thanks! Simple works for me!

I'm just hoping that my family won't start considering the smoke alarm to be the dinner bell when I'm cooking
 

sarahbeez

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I love love AllRecipes.com!!! There are gazillions of recipes on there and you can browse through categories. What I like the most is that people rate the recipes & can write reviews- so sometimes they suggest alterations they used to make the recipe better...

I have been learning to cook for like the last year and I'm still learning- but I've made some really, really good meals off of that site! Check out the Angel Chicken Pasta...


You can also save recipes in your favorites and sort them! Yay!
 
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lovemybabies

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Originally Posted by SarahBeez

I love love AllRecipes.com!!! There are gazillions of recipes on there and you can browse through categories. What I like the most is that people rate the recipes & can write reviews- so sometimes they suggest alterations they used to make the recipe better...

I have been learning to cook for like the last year and I'm still learning- but I've made some really, really good meals off of that site! Check out the Angel Chicken Pasta...


You can also save recipes in your favorites and sort them! Yay!
Oh man, there's so many on there!! And a TON of desserts!
 

etain

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Some of my best recipes come from allrecipes.com

Today I took chili into work for a potluck, it was a huge success. All the credit has to go to that web site, 'cause I have no talent in the kitchen


I really love the recipe box feature, as well as the nutritional info, shoping lists etc .. and if you sign up for the newsletter, you get a good recipe emailed to you daily, plus info on seasonal dishes.

I tell everyone I know about allrecipes.com
 

sarahbeez

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Originally Posted by Etain

Some of my best recipes come from allrecipes.com

I really love the recipe box feature, as well as the nutritional info, shoping lists etc .. and if you sign up for the newsletter, you get a good recipe emailed to you daily, plus info on seasonal dishes.

I tell everyone I know about allrecipes.com


I love the recipe box- I'm working on organizing mine still since I started saving them before you could put them in folders... I only have about 14 pages more to go!
 

twstychik

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I have tons of recipes but I hate using them (unless I'm baking). I prefer to go with my gut. Here's a few of my faves...
Baked bree and roasted garlic (and appetizer)
Take a whole clove of garlic and cut the top off
Drizzle it with olive oil and wrap loosely w/ tinfoil
Back at 350 for about an hour.
In the last 20 minutes put a whole wheel of bree in the oven too
Searve both w/ small pieces of toasted bread or crackers
Just squeze the garlic out and smear it on the toast followed by a good ammount of cheese (the rind is edible btw)

Crock-pot chilli
1lb of ground beef
1 small onion diced
3 cans of beans (drain 2)
3 cans of crushed or diced tomatoes
halapeno peppers to taste
seasoning to taste (I use hot sauce, chili powder, salt, pepper and a splash of red wine vinegar)

Brown the meat in a skillet and soften the onions. Dump into the crock pot and set on high. Add everything else includng the liquid from one can of beans to help thicken. Let cook, stiring occasionally, for at least 2 hours... but the longer the better.

Italian chicken and rice
2-3 skinless chicken chicken breasts
1/2 bottle of Italian dressing (not creamy)

Cook a pot of rice (I do 1 part rice to 1.5 parts water/stock and cook for 18 minutes... perfect rice every time)
While the rice is cooking
Brown the chicken in a skilet w/ some oil (I also add opnions, garlic and carrots)
Add the dressing and let cook over low heat (barely simmering) until the chicken is done through. Usually as long as it takes the rice to cook.
Serve the chicken and dressing over the rice.
 
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lovemybabies

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Originally Posted by twstychik

I have tons of recipes but I hate using them (unless I'm baking). I prefer to go with my gut. Here's a few of my faves...
Baked bree and roasted garlic (and appetizer)
Take a whole clove of garlic and cut the top off
Drizzle it with olive oil and wrap loosely w/ tinfoil
Back at 350 for about an hour.
In the last 20 minutes put a whole wheel of bree in the oven too
Searve both w/ small pieces of toasted bread or crackers
Just squeze the garlic out and smear it on the toast followed by a good ammount of cheese (the rind is edible btw)
Mmm..my dad would love this!
 

gemlady

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Originally Posted by LoveMyBabies

Ooh, I will check it out next time I'm there...thanks! Simple works for me!

I'm just hoping that my family won't start considering the smoke alarm to be the dinner bell when I'm cooking
My brother-in-law referred to such meals as "burnt offerings".
 
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