No fail recipes

So as much I would like to think I am an amazing cook, I had a realization last week that I really suck..

What are some easy weeknight meals that I can't mess up? I am really trying to cook more and avoid eating out but it's hard when nothing i make really turns out that good.

Re: No fail recipes

Buffalo Wing Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Easy Garlic Chicken

Grilled Flank Steak with Red Onions & Balsamic

WW Crusted Honey Mustard Chicken - Having this one tonight. Seems easy.

Crockpot Chicken -Very simple but not flavorful at all. Needs more seasoning.

Taco Cupcakes BEST.MEAL.EVER.

ETA: Check out Pinterest, there are tons of recipes on there.

Message edited 10/23/2012 9:33:16 AM.

Re: No fail recipes

Sounds intimidating but a whole roast chicken is actually really easy. Just be sure to have a meat thermometer to check the temp. I use Ina Gartens recilpe.

Lemon Chicken Breasts Another Ina Garten recipe. I used skinless breast because it's what I had.

Cheeseburger Pie Tasty and could not be easier.

Fajita Pie This is from Rachael Ray, one of the few recipes I really like from her and I love that it's a true one dish meal.

Re: No fail recipes

Do you have a slow-cooker? I feel like most slow cooker recipes are pretty fool proof -- esp. the ones that require you to just dump all of the ingredients in. For the most part, you don't need good chopping skills, you don't need to figure out when it's "done," etc.

Another relatively fool proof technnique is roasting. You can marinate meat... like london broil or a pork roast. And then just put it in the oven... something like a london broil or a pork tenderloin cooks relatively quickly. You can even buy some premarinated, but it's easy enough to throw a simple marinade together with things like olive oil, fresh garlic, herbs.

I agree roast chicken is also easy... as a baby step, you can buy a perdue oven ready roaster that comes preseasoned in bag. You just stick the entire thing, in its bag, in the oven and roast as per the directions.

Investing in a meat thermometer (which doesn't cost much) will help you determine whether roast meat is done to your liking.

Just make sure you let any meat rest when it comes out of the oven before cutting it (bigger cuts of meat should rest longer) so all of the juices don't flow out when you slice it.

For sides, roasting also works great with veggies and potatoes (cut them into wedges). Just drizzle and toss with olive oil and season as per your liking. Roast at a high temp (like 425 degrees) for 20-30 minutes, depending on the veggie. They are very flavorful that way, and it's an easy technique you can use with a lot of things.

Also, I like to use my microwave for sides to make baked potatoes (white or sweet), steam fresh bags of veggies, etc.

Re: No fail recipes

Shrimp Scampi

Buy a 2 lb bag of frozen, cleaned/deveined shrimp; defrost. Mince 10 cloves of garlic.
In a large skillet, melt a stick of butter and 4 tbs of olive oil. throw in the garlic. When garlic is starting to slightly brown, throw in a cup of white wine. Drink a glass of white wine while this boils. When this boils down, pour in 2 cups of chicken stock. Drink another glass of white wine. Boil for five minutes. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon. Add shrimp in one single layer. Once shrimp is added, using tongs, hand turn them all. By the time you are done turning, they are cooked. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve over rice or pasta. Finish bottle of wine

Message edited 10/25/2012 6:55:36 PM.

Re: No fail recipes

Re: No fail recipes

Herb Crusted Fish:
Take almost any kind fish that you like, drizzle with a little olive oil, lemon then season with salt/ fresh cracked pepper. In bowl mix together panko bread crumbs and add herbs of your choice ( I like parsley , basil oregano etc) . Add the break crumbs to the cut of fish. Spread evenly. Put under the broiler for 10-15 minutes depending on the size/ thickness of the fish. Always a hit!

Pasta Primavera
Boil water and add pasta of your choice ( I love the whole grain brands from Trader Joe's). While the pasta cooks add olive oil, fresh garlic and chopped onions to a pan. Let cook for a minute or two and then add vegetables of your choice. Cook to desired tenderness and toss with cooked pasta. Shred a little of cheese over the pasta. Season with salt / pepper to taste. I also like to add a bit of Italian seasoning.

Broiled Spicy Shrimp:
Marinate shrimp in olive oil, lemon juice and lime juice. Remove from zip lock bag. Add minced garlic, salt, pepper, paprika and light dusting of red pepper flakes. Put under the broiler for 5 to 7 minutes.

Message edited 10/23/2012 9:34:16 PM.

Re: No fail recipes

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by Domino

Shrimp Scampi

Buy a 2 lb bag of frozen, cleaned/deveined shrimp; defrost. Mince 10 cloves of garlic.
In a large skillet, melt a stick of butter and 4 tbs of olive oil. throw in the garlic. When garlic is starting to slightly brown, throw in a cup of white wine. Drink a glass of white wine while this boils. When this boils down, pour in 2 cups of chicken stock. Drink another glass of white wine. Boil for five minutes. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon. Add shrimp in one single layer. Once shrimp is added, using tongs, hand turn them all. By the time you are done turning, they are cooked. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve over rice or pasta.

This is my most favorite recipe ever

No fail recipes

Thank you! I can't wait to try some of these... Hopefully even I can't screw these up. Especially the part where I drink wine while cooking! lol.

Re: No fail recipes

Soups are a go-to meal this time of year.

I love onion soup and pumpkin soup and you can serve soups with a nice crusty bread or a spinach salad.

Also chili is easy and you can make it in several different ways.

Re: No fail recipes

Posted by FreeButterfly

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by Domino

Shrimp Scampi

Buy a 2 lb bag of frozen, cleaned/deveined shrimp; defrost. Mince 10 cloves of garlic.
In a large skillet, melt a stick of butter and 4 tbs of olive oil. throw in the garlic. When garlic is starting to slightly brown, throw in a cup of white wine. Drink a glass of white wine while this boils. When this boils down, pour in 2 cups of chicken stock. Drink another glass of white wine. Boil for five minutes. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon. Add shrimp in one single layer. Once shrimp is added, using tongs, hand turn them all. By the time you are done turning, they are cooked. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve over rice or pasta.

This is my most favorite recipe ever

Shouldn't you "serve with another glass of white wine"?

Re: No fail recipes

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Re: No fail recipes

Posted by Domino

Shrimp Scampi

Buy a 2 lb bag of frozen, cleaned/deveined shrimp; defrost. Mince 10 cloves of garlic.
In a large skillet, melt a stick of butter and 4 tbs of olive oil. throw in the garlic. When garlic is starting to slightly brown, throw in a cup of white wine. Drink a glass of white wine while this boils. When this boils down, pour in 2 cups of chicken stock. Drink another glass of white wine. Boil for five minutes. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon. Add shrimp in one single layer. Once shrimp is added, using tongs, hand turn them all. By the time you are done turning, they are cooked. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve over rice or pasta. Finish bottle of wine