It’s trying times, and for the first time, many people will need to learn some food preparation for both economic and nutritional necessities. So here are a variety of recipes that require minimal skills and equipment. Hopefully, if you are a raw beginner, you will find this helpful.
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Discussion
I’m picking out recipes I feel most beginners can tackle with minimal equipment and experience. Ramen noodles and frozen food can only take you so far.
A meat thermometer is probably the thing you may not have. Many of these recipes need one. Get one; you need it. Go to a hardware store or Amazon. A ten-dollar instant-read thermometer will save you way more than that in ruined food, plus, it is the easiest route to being a much better cook. Not bad for $10.
As a general rule, I suggest raw beginners read the photo instruction area of the posts. As you read these instructions, examine the photos, then imagine yourself doing those steps. You will see you can handle this. Feel free to ask questions in the comments.
If you are interested in try to get your kitchen stocked and up and running better, then please see my Guide To Cooking for Two.
Stovetop/Oven Recipes
Most of you have a stove and oven available. You will need only a little other kitchen equipment to pull these recipes off. But, you need a meat thermometer to get many of these recipes done correctly.
The oven pulled pork and chicken recipes may be enough to get you through months on the cheap.
Outrageously good pulled pork without a smoker. Low and slow is how you do it with these easy step by step photo instructions with only a few minutes of active time.
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This is a traditional old fashion meatloaf is like your grandma would make from memory. It is super moist and easy for even the beginner. It will become that go-to recipe that everybody needs for meatloaf.
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Learn the secret to tasty, moist, and crispy baked split chicken breasts. A great bone-in chicken recipe for an easy and economical family dinner the whole family will love.
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Oven baked chicken legs are a simple dinner the whole family will love. Just trim, pat dry, simple spices, and bake them in the oven. You will have perfect crispy, juicy chicken legs every time with these easy step by step photo instructions.
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Deliciously crispy skin and juicy inside, oven baked chicken thighs have it all. They are quick, economical, tasty, and require almost no skill — a great recipe for two or a crowd. Just one pan and a bit of seasoning will get you some of the best baked chicken you will ever taste.
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Learn the best way to oven bake chicken breasts that are healthy, moist and tender every time in about 30 minutes by following these easy step by step photo instructions.
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Put that blue box away. This mac and cheese recipe is one pot stove top easy. Just follow these simple step by step photo instructions. Let’s kick it up a few notches.
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One pot, one hour, one of the best broccoli cheese soups ever. Better than restaurant quality soup for your family or company. You will love this soup.
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This takes only a bit more work but just follow the photos and you will be fine.
Crock Pot Recipes
Many people have a crock pot hanging around, and most crock pot recipes can be very easy to do. It is great for Chili or Soup Recipes. Check all my crock pot recipes out at Crock Pot Recipes and Small Crock Pot Recipes.
Here are just a few of the easiest choices.
Super easy to make and one of the best homemade chilies you will ever have. This versatile chili is perfect in a smaller crock pot and can easily be adjusted to your taste and needs.
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Great melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork is now an easy economical dinner recipe. Cooked all day low and slow in your crock pot, pork butt becomes pull-apart tender for the family or a crowd.
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This is the easiest and best crock pot white chicken chili recipe you will ever taste. Dump, dump, dump, then cook for 4 hours. You are rewarded for your laziness with a great chili, and all your friends will demand the recipe.
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Time for an ultra-simple crock pot chicken baked ziti. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions to have some great Italian comfort food bursting with tasty goodness.
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Grill Recipes
If you are lucky enough to have access to a grill, it makes having tasty economic meals a breeze with almost no cleanup. See all the Grill Recipes.
Let’s learn the three simple secrets to moist and tender chicken breasts on a gas grill. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.
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Learn the secrets of grilling a really good hamburger on a gas grill (or a charcoal grill). It is oh so easy if you know a few secrets. Great burgers can be yours.
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Learn how to grill a great pork tenderloin on a gas grill in this pictorial step by step guide. A properly grilled pork tenderloin will make you look like the grill master. Just don’t tell them how easy it is.
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Learn how to grill great pork chops on a gas grill. Chose the right cut, add an optional brine, season, and careful grilling will get perfect juicy flavorful chops every time.
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Bread and Sidedishes Recipes
See all the Side Dishes and Bread Recipes.
This old fashion beer bread is made with self-rising flour and only 3 other ingredients. It is hearty with a great buttery, crispy crust. Anybody can do this easy recipe.
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Make perfect rice every time with this easy and proven recipe to cook rice in the oven. Fluffy rice in 30 minutes is just so easy. This is one of those things that just works.
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An easy fried rice recipe using Minute Rice for that “eat in” Chinese meal. Done in 10-minutes with these easy step by step photo instructions.
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This wonderful barbecue sauce is the perfect compliment to pork, beef or chicken. A sweet and tangy sauce with a touch of spice that will become your summer favorite..
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Other Resources
Browse hundreds of the best everyday recipes perfect for two or smaller households! All recipes are as easy to make as they are delicious and come with simple step-by-step photo instructions.
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A Helpful Guide to Cooking for Smaller Households. No matter the size of your smaller household, we have designed this guide to help you be successful with your everyday cooking.
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These Kitchen Cheat Sheets are packed with all that useful information you need but have a hard time finding. What to substitute for this, how to store that, when is it done, and so much more.
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My recommendations for some basic products for the beginner or experienced cook in need of some guidance.
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Stay safe out there.
Wifo, Molly, Lilly, and DrDan