Most of us are a little intimidated by the kitchen and tend to muddle our way through dishes by haphazardly slapping whatever we can find together and hoping for the best. People seem to think that cooking well is a special talent you’re born with, but this is not the case. It’s most certainly a learnable skill, and you’ve definitely got what it takes. Or so says Gordon Ramsay!

The British author, chef, food critic, restaurateur, and TV personality has a list of 5 meals that everyone should be able to cook. And you’ll be glad to hear that they’re as easy to make as they are delicious to eat.

  • A Braising Dish

Braising involves browning meat in oil and then cooking it in a small amount of liquid in a pan that’s tightly covered, either on your stovetop or in the oven, for a long time. This slow preparation helps the flavour to develop and turns tougher cuts of meat fall-off-your-fork tender.

As hard as you may think braising is to master, the task is far less daunting than you may fear. Not only that, it’s something you can cook on Sunday and then eat the whole week, says Ramsay. He recommended braised short ribs as a way to start, so pick up your supplies, pop them in the oven, and sit back and relax. Grab a good book or find the best pokies app and wait for the oven timer to go off so you can dig in.

  • A Chicken Dish

Ramsay recommends a chicken dish because this white meat is easy, versatile, and healthy to eat. Experiment with different herbs and spices until you find the one you like. You can test out cayenne, garlic, lemon-pepper, rosemary, and thyme, for example. Or stick to simply sprinkling salt and pepper over your bird and then get to baking, barbecuing, grilling, pan-frying, roasting, or stir-frying it.

  • A Delicious Dessert

A good dessert can make a thoughtful gift too, above and beyond the satisfaction you’ll get from being able to whip up something scrumptious when a sugar craving hits you. There are 3-ingredient options aplenty, including chocolate mousse, mug cake, and peanut butter cookies, so if you’re not on a diet or intermittent fasting, add one of these to your menu!

  • A Healthy Breakfast

Starting your day off right lays the groundwork for getting the job done, so it’s crucial you know how to make something delicious to break your fast.

Ramsey’s suggestions include poached eggs, smoothies, smashed avocados, or an incredible omelette, and the wiggle-room you’ve got when it comes to fillings for the latter is great. Use cheddar or Gruyere cheese, sour cream, sautéed mushrooms, caramelised onions, or even leftovers from last night’s dinner. You’ll find something tasty very quickly that will ensure you get your day started on the right foot.

  • A Tasty Burger

Everyone loves a well-made burger, and there are many meatless options too if you’re not a carnivore! Find a recipe you love and work on making it your own. To avoid your meat or veggie mix falling apart or crumbling as you cook it, add a binder like egg. If you don’t eat eggs, use breadcrumbs, oats, or wheat germ instead.

Anna Jones
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