Are your parents coming over for dinner? Are you trying to impress a date? Do you have to go to a social event where it’d be rude to not bring food? Are you hungry? Have no fear- here are 10 foods that, once you learn how to cook, can get you through just about any food-requiring occasion.
1. Pasta- with sauce that’s not out of the jar
When you’re a broke, semi-starving college student/young 20-something, pasta is probably one of your staple meals. It’s cheap, really hard to mess up, and relatively filling. But there’s an entirely different world of pasta out there, one where the sauces come not from glass jars of questionably edible tomato sauce that’s been in your fridge since you graduated from high school. I recommend mastering two sauces, a cream sauce and a tomato-based sauce, that can carry you through pretty much any occasion requiring pasta. Try this recipe for a Bolognese or an awesome cream sauce.
2. Brownies
I don’t have to explain this, right? Here's a recipe for cocoa brownies or for you vegan or gluten-free folk, try this.
3. Eggs-scrambled, poached, you name it
Here’s a helpful guide from HuffPost on different egg cooking styles, and if you need help with your scrambleds, here’s the easiest recipe in the world to follow. Eggs go with anything, they're inexpensive, and most people like them.
4. At least one kind of cookie that doesn’t come pre-packaged
The way to anybody's heart is a good cookie. At the very, very least, learn how to make a darn good chocolate chip cookie, a basic (this has 3 ingredients!) sugar cookie, or a peanut butter cookie (only if you're not allergic!). Once you master those try your hand at these Twix cookies or some incredible cream cheese strawberry cookies.
5. Some kind of potato dish
When in doubt for what to bring to a potluck- bring some kind of potato dish. I have my Mormon best friend from high school to credit for this. Funeral potatoes are always a hit whenever I take them to parties or potluck and people usually laugh when you tell them you brought funeral potatoes. And yes, it really is best to do it with frozen potatoes. It's that easy.
6. A good hamburger or veggie burger
Burgers are fast, easy, and just about everyone likes them. Here’s a pretty good guide on how to make them, and if you don’t eat meat, just buy the veggie burger patties from Trader Joe’s- they’re surprisingly good and no one will ever know!
7. French toast
French toast is delicious (don’t kid yourself) and definitely something worth learning to make on your own because I promise you you will wake up one weekend and say “hey, I want French toast” but not have either the money or inclination to go out and pay someone to make it for you. Try this!
8. Mashed potatoes
Comfort food at its finest. The secret to making great mashed potatoes is using heavy cream instead of milk- milk will do in a pinch, but heavy cream makes the potatoes creamy and delicious. My favorite recipe is here.
9. Some kind of pie
Literally nobody will ever be upset with you for making a pie. Literally nobody. Ever. For pumpkin pies, stick to the recipe on the back of the can (they know what they’re talking about). To keep it classic, stick with a good old apple pie (trust Martha with your pies, not financial advice). If you want to get turnt with your baked goods, here’s a recipe for a margarita pie.
10. Chicken soup (for the soul, if you’re not a ginger)
The reality is that at some point or another in your life you’re going to get sick and your mom isn’t going to be around to make the chicken soup for you- so make your roommate learn how to cook this and you’ll be a-ok. Then, when your roommate inevitably gets sick too, return the favor. If you don’t eat meat, feel free to replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth and substitute potatoes for chicken.
Happy cooking!
