Hello, I'm a 16 year old girl and I've recently been intrested in learning to cook. I know, I know, I'm sure you're thinking, "WOW, you're 16 and don't know how to cook?" Well, you are right...I know how to cook nothing at all! I know this is really going to hurt me in the long run. Do you have any ideas of what are some things I should start out with? Actually, please just give me all the advice you have. I need anything I can get. Thank you!!

Hi Krystal!

Here's an easy one...

Get a package of 3 or 4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts. Heat a couple of tablespoons of oil (veg or olive oil) in a large non-stick skillet to medium. While the oil's heating, cut open the plastic from the top of the chicken and salt and pepper the meat.

When your oil is hot, lay each breast seasoned-side down in the skillet. Leave them alone now for about 5 or so minutes, or until the cooked side is golden. Before you turn them over, season the tops of the meat with salt and pepper. Turn over, and continue cooking for another 5 or so minutes, till golden. They don't have to be completely done at this point, but mostly.

While your chicken is cooking, get a block of mozzarella cheese, and cut 1/2 inch slices from the end. Enough to lay on top of each chicken breast. Set aside.

Take your favorite jarred spagetti sauce, and dump it in the skillet on top of the chicken. It'll sizzle, that's good! Stir the sauce, spooning it over the chicken, scraping the bits (yummy flavor!) from the bottom of the pan. Turn the heat down to simmer.

Immediately place the cheese slices on top of the chicken breasts, cover the pan with a lid, and let the cheese melt. Takes about 5 minutes. Serve with pasta!

Any questions, feel free to ask!

Oh, and if you like that one, try this version...

Season and brown the chicken just as before. Instead of spagetti sauce, use 2 or 3 cans (however many it takes to mostly cover the chicken) of mexican green chili salsa. This is the kind I use [URL=http://www.mexgrocer.com/1352.html] The cans are small, so it might take 3 or 4. They're cheap, so I'd get 4 to be safe.

Follow the previous recipe exactly the same, only use montery jack cheese instead of mozzarella, and serve over rice instead of pasta. For the rice, just use something like Uncle Ben's "boil in a bag" rice. That's the easiest, and it's good.

Easy Chicken Parmigian:

1/4 bag (about 1 lb) frozen boneless chicken tenders, thawed.
1 container seasoned Italian bread crumbs (Contadina brand)
3-4 beaten eggs
(1) 12 oz. jar or larger Prego spaghetti sauce (or your favorite sauce)

Rinse tenders and pat dry. Lightly season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Dip each tender (one at a time) into beaten egg mixture. Roll lightly in bread crumbs, coating thoroughly. Place onto a foil lined cookie sheet which has been sprayed with olive oil or vegetable oil. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20 - 30 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. Remove from baking sheet and place in casserole dish. Pour spaghetti sauce over the top of the chicken and either return to the oven or microwave until sauce is hot.

Serve over angel hair pasta or linguini (or your favorite pasta).

Enjoy!

Hello everyone, this is my first time here. I was wondering if anyone had some simple ways of cooking veggies etc in aluminum foil in the oven. I don't own a barbecue (personal choice, idea of starting gas a liitle scarey for me lol) so I use everything else to cook with. My son and I are making healthier choices but are getting bored of doing the veggies etc the same way. I haven't used the foil before but I know that the taste of the food after is very appealing.
Krystali, I am a lot older and I am still learning so never give up. Great recipes artistebleue and mindalou. I think I will give them a try myself.

Hi maplehunny,

Let's say you had some yellow squash, some red & yellow bell peppers, some fresh green beans...I'd slice the squash into 1/4 inch thick rounds, slice the peppers, and trim the ends off the green beans. I'd place them in the middle of a large square of foil (probably about 10 to 12 inches square), drizzle a little olive oil over the veggies, and season with salt and pepper. Pull the sides up to the center and fold them together to create a pouch. Put the pouch in the oven with the temp about 350 degrees, and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes (I think...you might do some research on that on the Net). Just be sure when you open the pouch after cooking that you watch out for the steam!

Hope I helped. Enjoy!

Hey Mindalou,

Yes you did help alot, it sounds great! I'll give it a try when I get the chance and let you know how it goes. Thank you for your help.

Another great thing to try are those Reynolds Hot Foil Bags & Oven Bags that you can cook a whole meal in. They work just like the procedure I mentioned earlier with the veggies, but they're heavy duty and larger, so you can just put your meat (or fish does really great in them too!) & veggies w/ seasonings all together in there, and they cook on the grill or in the oven. Really convienent! Here's a link: Reynolds Bags

Thanks for the tips. I didn't even know these bags existed and they sound like a great idea. The site that you gave me has some really good recipes that I am going to give a shot. I am not sure what it is lately but I seem to enjoy cooking now. Maybe I didn't before because it was the same old boring stuff I was doing, lol!

I'm currently addicted to chocolate chip banana bread. You can find the recipe here (I leave out the walnuts, because I don't much like nuts in sweets): http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/102982

The recipe seems to be foolproof to me.

As for more inspiration, try reading articles here: http://www.foodvirgin.com. It should get you curious to try new cuisines, which you can later try cooking at home, if you like them.

Hello Franca,

Wow I have never heard of chocolate chip banana bread. It sounds awesome. I may have to give that one a try, since I love both of those ingredients.

d best method 2 cook anything is 2 use fresh ingredients... try n avoid canned products as much as u can...
n yea while making any chicken or meat dish, its always better 2 marinate d meat 4 atleats 30 min b4 u cook it...
d simplest marination cud b lemon juice, black pepper n some salt...

quote:

Originally posted by fatak:
d best method 2 cook anything is 2 use fresh ingredients... try n avoid canned products as much as u can...
n yea while making any chicken or meat dish, its always better 2 marinate d meat 4 atleats 30 min b4 u cook it...
d simplest marination cud b lemon juice, black pepper n some salt...

I'm sorry, but I had a difficult time understanding what you wrote. Could you explain "Cud B lemon juice"? I don't think I've ever heard of that brand.

Thanks!

i think they were just trying to abbreviate their post. I read it to mean "the simplest marination could be..." Hope that helps!

Maplehunny, forget the tin foil, get out your pots and try this recipe:

2 pounds fresh green beans or 1 bag frozen
3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (leaves finely chopped - stems discarded)
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

Boil beans for about 5 minutes and then drain.

Melt butter (in a frying pan) over low heat, add the lemon rind and rosemary, stir. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Add beans to mixture and toss until well coated and warm.

Serve immediately.

That's a great way to do them as well. I usually cook my fresh green beans or broccolli that way my self.

Dear Krystal,
Theres alot of good receipes out there, get yourself a good easy cookbook. I bought one a few years ago called How to boil water, it had simple and quick delicious dishes. Also, watch alot of cooking shows, there is alot of good receipes in them. Have fun and make cooking fun.
Becky,