I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

I'm not much of a cook but I want to be. I need some inspiration, I need to build my confidence can any help me.

Ok this my story I have two boys a 5 year old and a 2 year old. The 5 year old eats everything and the 2 year old doesn't like veggies, and is allergic to peanuts and eggs. And DH is kinda picky he just likes pasta and chicken cutlets. I want break him out of this and of course I want my boys to eat everything!

Can anyone share some recipes that I could try.

TIA

I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

Try getting a kids cookbook and build from there. Mostly easy, kid friendly recipes with fun names to entice little one. I always found if i had DS help cook, he ate more and was proud of what he made.

I have a Dora cookbook and Sanda Lee.

Message edited 3/11/2013 9:50:22 AM.

I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

ok, you have to check out Weelicious.com! i think it owuld be a great start for you. It's all about FAMILY FRIENDLY healthy meals- theya re meant to please everyone and the best part is that they are not elaborate with 15 ingrediants and tons of prep work. ive tried a lot of recipes and they have all been a big hit.

she has a delicious turkey sloppy joe recipe that has veggies in it! and her turkey cheesy meatloaf bites are soo good. i've also made her beef and broccoli. really, anything you try, you cant go wrong.

honestly, thumb through the recipes and start from there. ive been following her for a few years now and she revamped her website and now has a cookbook.

my fav thing is that she is very health minded, so your meals with not be loaded with fat, sugar, ketchup etc.
and again, not only are they delicious for the family, they are pretty streamlined and not complicated at all.

good luck!

Re: I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

http://weelicious.com/2009/05/10/turk-wee-sloppy-joes/


http://weelicious.com/2008/06/09/cheesy-turkey-meatloaf-bites/


chick parm meatloaf bites

I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

Another tip is to take something they know and build/change it. Don't just throw a salmon steak at them.

One day I wanted fish. I decided to get scallops. I breaded/fried them and told DS (about 3 at the time) they were fish nuggets - like chicken nuggets only different. He liked them. I made them that way a few times, then made them with pasta, garlic and butter. Then we moved to white fishes and then he decided he wanted to try salmon.

I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

Def check out Pinterest. There are SO many recipes on there and we've honestly loved every single one that I've tried.

Re: I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

Re: I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

burgers
steak
spaghetti and meatballs
chili
salmon
tuna

I have the America's test kitchen cook book and love it. Some of the recipes take a bit of time but nearly everything is foolproof and are excellent.

I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

Maybe start with your chicken fingers, wrap with ham and swiss and bread/bake/fry for a twist on chicken cordon blue. Then maybe you can work on a chicken and ham panini, then just a ham steak.....

I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

I am not a great cook either but i have an easy recipe for quinoa cakes/burgers. I make this whenever I have company and both adults and kids love it.

Boil or bake either one cup of sweet potatoes or butter nut sqash. Take 1 cup of quinoa, rinse well under the water. add two cups of water and cook till done. Mash the sweet potato/butternut squash with a fork and add the cooked quinoa. Add half a cup of red peppers for color, some sautéed onions, salt and pepper and mix well. Preheat oven to 350 degrees f. Take a baking sheet with foil on it and spray pam olive oil. Make the mix into burgers and gently place them on the baking sheet And slide it into the heated oven. After 10 minutes, flip the burgers and bake for another 10 minutes.

Message edited 3/13/2013 5:02:28 AM.

Re: I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

Thanks ladies -this is all so helpful

Re: I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

You can use chicken cutlets in many different ways -- make a salad, add it in, or make sandwiches (chicken cutlet, mayo, roasted red peppers and cheese on a roll..so GOOD).

I also made a rice pilaf one day with the chicken cutlets and it was SO good. It's also ridiculously easy to make.

I use a cast iron pan --- add in one onion chopped up, about one or two carrots cut up small, garlic, maybe even some peppers if you want and sautee them. Once you sautee them - I add in seasoning - usually salt, black pepper, paprika all to taste. Then add in 2 cups of raw rice, 4 cups of chicken broth, mix it all together, and put it in the oven at about 375 degrees for about 30-45 minutes until the rice cooks through and then the top starts browning a little. Then I take the chicken cutlet, chop up a few and add it in the rice. Top w/ some feta cheese. So good.

I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

One of my go to recipes is risotto - if you learn how to make a basic risotto, you can add whatever you want to it (I like mushroom with cream, chicken in marsala wine with red peppers and thyme, zucchini and peppers, or scallops with lemon juice and garlic). It's a little time consuming, but it's delicious and there are so many things you can do to it!

I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

These are some foods my DD and hubby both like and are EASY:
- Pulled pork in crockpot--you can serve on rolls, in quesadillas, tacos
- Quesadillas with black beans/veggies hidden in them
- Homemade Mac & cheese with veggies (squash, pumpkin, broccoli)

I need to learn to cook more things, can anyone help...

I just think its funny that you posted you wanted to learn how to cook more and. Few days later someone posts a recipe for ice!!!