We also remember that once we learned how, it changed everything.

Knowing how to boil pasta meant we could move on to learning how to make a nice tomato sauce.

Learning how to make tomato sauce made us feel ready to tacklepesto.

Middle-aged couple having fun cooking together

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Chopping up basil and garlic gave us the courage to try whipping up achimichurri.

Once we figured out how to beat eggs, we realized we could try acake recipe.

Suddenly, it dawned on us that we could read a recipe without feeling overwhelmed.

Spaghetti aglio olio

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We knew how to measure both brown sugar and flour.

We knew how to tell a simmer from a rolling boil.

For more, check out these50 Recipes you’re gonna wanna Try in 2022.

Quick veggie rice bowl recipe.

Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Pasta

There’s nothing intuitive about boiling pasta.

Yet many pasta recipes don’t offer much beyond “cook pasta according to directions on box.”

And the box often offers little beyond how many minutes it takes for the pasta to cook.

omelet sprinkled with salt pepper and parsely

Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

So we’re clearing up the mystery right here and now with these four simple steps:

1.

When the timer goes off, drain and rinse the pasta in cool water to stop the cooking process.

All that’s left is adding the sauce.

Healthy scrambled eggs with salmon asparagus and goat cheese

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Get our recipe forPasta Aglio e Olio.

Steamed Rice

Cooking rice isn’t any more intuitive than pasta.

First, there’s the question of whether to rinse before cooking.

Guacamole

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

In most casesexcept for sushi rice, Thai sticky rice, and risottothe answer is “yes.”

You’ll find the simplest step-by-step instructions inthis Minimalist Baker post.

So now you’ll know that, too.

Grilled chicken salad with cranberries avocado and goat cheese

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Get our recipe for aVegetarian Rice Bowl.

Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here!

As proof, take a look athow to cook eggs perfectlyevery way.

Pesto

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But don’t take our word for it; try this celebrity chef-approved recipe for an omelet.

It’s the only omelet recipe you’ll ever need.

Get our recipe for theBest-Ever Omelet.

tomato sauce in wooden bowl with wooden spoon

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Get our recipe forScrambled Eggs with Salmon, Asparagus, and Goat Cheese.

And because it might come in handy,here’s the chef-approved method for cutting an avocado.

Get our recipe forGuacamole.

Caramelized onions

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We bet you do, and here’s another opportunity to practice.

And the payoff is refreshing and delish.

And now, because you’re ready, here are five moreeasy chicken recipes.

Paleo scallops with chimichurri

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Get our recipe forGrilled Chicken Avocado Salad.

Get our recipe forPesto.

Get our recipe forTomato Sauce.

steak chimichurri recipe

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Caramelized Onions

If you’ve ever wondered “how do theydothat?”

Caramelized onions are as easy to prepare as they are to love.

Some recipes use butter.

Healthy grilled chicken sandwich with chimichurri

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Ours uses olive oil, which works equally well, and the result is virtually indistinguishable.

Some recipes use yellow onions.

Ours uses red, which makes the result even sweeter.

Bowl of salsa

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Get our recipe forCaramelized Onions.

Chimichurri

This herb-based Argentinian sauce couldn’t be easier to prepare.

And now that you’re comfortable with one, here are17 creative uses for a food processor.

healthy orange cranberry relish

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Get our recipe forChimichurri.

It’s as if itwantsto make you feel good about yourself as a cook.

Get our recipe forGrilled Flank Steak with Chimichurri.

Paleo blackened tilapia with garlic lime butter

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Well, guess what?

Get our recipe for aGrilled Chicken Sandwich with Chimichurri.

Like traditional salsa, it’s a simple mix of tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cilantro.

Paleo blackened fish sandwich

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Get our recipe forPico de Gallo.

Also like pico de gallo, it’s seriously easy to make.

If you’re not so into chopping and mincing, then cranberry relish is even easier.

Homemade taco seasoning mixed together in a bowl.

Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Apart from grating a bit of fresh ginger, it involves no “sharps” whatsoever.

Get our recipe forCranberry Orange Relish.

We especially love it on the blackened fish sandwich that’s up next.

pickled red onion in a light brown ceramic bowl

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Check out these15 Iconic New Orleans Recipes.

Get our recipe forBlackening Spice.

Get our recipe for aBlackened Fish Sandwich.

pickled jalapeños in bowl

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Also like our blackening spice recipe, our taco seasoning recipe is fast, easy, and super-versatile.

you’re able to use it in any of these12 Healthy Taco Recipes.

Get our recipe forTaco Seasoning.

plated salad of lettuce strawberries chicken with balsamic vinaigrette

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Plus, you’ve now unlocked the secret “sauce” that makesour recipe for shrimp tacosso irresistible.

Get our recipe forPickled Onions.

And don’t tell anyone, but they’re even easier to make than pickled onions.

watermelon radish meat salad with ginger-lime vinaigrette

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Get our recipe forPickled Jalapenos.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

It’s so easy to make a homemade balsamic vinaigrette.

Get our recipe forBalsamic Vinaigrette.

Ranch

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Get our recipe forGinger Lime Vinaigrette.

But what about creamy dressing?

Yup, it can be easy too.

Creamy peanut butter in jar

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This recipe for ranch dressing has fewer ingredients than either of the two vinaigrette recipes we just mentioned.

And it gets its tang from high-protein Greek-style yogurt.

Get our recipe forHomemade Ranch Dressing.

Paleo chicken adobo

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Homemade Nut Butter

Homemade nut butter?

Get our recipe forHomemade Nut Butter.

Chicken Adobo

Six ingredients and 45 minutes on the stove.

Low-calorie chicken mole enchiladas

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

What’s not to love about this delicious and ridiculously easy dish?

Get our recipe forChicken Adobo.

If only these two hapless home cooks had had our recipe for authentic chicken mole enchiladas.

creamy chicken with spinach and cracked black pepper from an instant pot

Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

There’s no folding required, just a sprinkling of cheese at the end.

To paraphrase Alexis Rose, “Yum.

“6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Get our recipe forChicken Mole Enchiladas.

finished chicken wings with blue cheese dip and celery on a plate

Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken with Spinach

Dinner for eight in under 30 minutes?

Why, yes, c’mon.

Oh, and thank you,Instant Pot.

Healthy spanish garlic shrimp

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Want to love your Instant Pot even more?

Here are15 Instant Pot hacks that will change your dinner game.

Get our recipe forInstant Pot Creamy Chicken with Spinach.

keto butter baked salmon with asparagus on the side horizontal

Waterbury Publications, Inc.

Get our recipe forInstant Pot Buffalo Wings.

Spanish Garlic Shrimp

The good news about shrimp is it cooks incredibly fast.

Add that to the list ofkitchen essentials you’ll want to keep on hand.

sheet pan pork chops

Waterbury Publications, Inc.

Get our recipe forSpanish Garlic Shrimp.

Butter-Baked Salmon and Asparagus

Salmon makes our list of thehealthiest fish you’re free to eat.

It also makes our as-yet-unpublished list of the easiest fish to cook.

Bowl potato chips

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Plus, this keto-friendly recipe features asparagus and a mere 10 minutes of hands-on time.

Get our recipe forButter-Baked Salmon and Asparagus.

Get our recipe forSheet Pan Pork Chops.

smoked paprika potato chips on black plate with dipping sauce

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But using a knife is fine too.

Get our recipe forBaked Potato Chips.

Get our recipe forSmoked Paprika Potato Chips.

Baked beans

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But you already know how to cook onions, thanks to our aforementioned caramelized onion recipe.

Get our recipe forSmoky Baked Beans.

Chicken Nachos

The only thing you have to prep here is lime juice.

Low-calorie nachos with chicken and black beans

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Get our recipe forChicken Nachos.

And while you’re welcome to go ahead and make it yourself, you don’t have to.

Get our recipe forGrilled Mahi-Mahi with Harissa.

Paleo grilled mahi with red pepper sauce

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Want more sauces to try lavishing over your grilled mahi-mahi?

Try one of thesefive-ingredient salsa recipes.

Get our recipe forGrilled Mahi-Mahi with Salsa Verde.

Grilled mahi mahi with salsa verde

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

That’s true not just in this recipe, but also to make yourgrilled cheesea perfectly golden crisp.)

Get our recipe forMexican-Style Corn.

Get our recipe forGrilled Fruit Kebabs.

Vegetarian grilled mexican-style corn

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Get our recipe forGrilled Apricots.

Get our recipe forGrilled Strawberry Shortcake with Balsamic.

Get our recipe forDark Chocolate-Dipped Bananas.

Healthy grilled fruit kebabs with yogurt and honey

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

This one finds the sweet spot in a mixture of bananas, blueberries, acai, and kiwi.

And did you knowyou don’t even need to skin the kiwi?

Get our recipe for anEasy Kiwi Acai Bowl.

Vegetarian grilled apricots

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Get our recipe for anAcai Blueberry Smoothie Bowl.

Here’swhat happens when you drink a smoothie every day.

Get our recipe for anAvocado Berry Smoothie.

Vegetarian strawberry shortcake with balsamic

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Get our recipe for aPeach and Cherry Smoothie.

Chocolate Coconut Banana Smoothie

Sounds decadent, huh?

It tastes decadent too.

Dark chocolate dipped bananas

Waterbury Publications, Inc.

Get our recipe for aChocolate Coconut Banana Smoothie.

Affogato

Looking for a slightly more decadent version of a cool and creamy dessert?

Look no further than affogato, which sounds way fancier than its recipe reveals it to be.

acai bowl with blueberries and kiwi in white bowl with spoon

Waterbury Publications, Inc.

Think two ingredients: One is ice cream and one is espresso.

Scoop, pour, savor.

Get our recipe forAffogato.

acai blueberry smoothie bowl on white background

Waterbury Publications, Inc.

But that doesn’t mean it’s possible for you to’t have a little fun with food-prep too.

Get our recipe forIce Cream Sandwiches.

We recommend Breyer’s.Here’s why some of the other store-bought brands aren’t worth the fat and calories.

avocado berry smoothie

Rebecca Firkser/Eat This, Not That!

Get our recipe forSavory Olive Oil Ice Cream.

Avocado Ice Cream

Think you’re able to’t make handmade artisanal ice cream?

And if you’re following along, you know both of those things by now.

paleo fruit smoothie in glass on wooden surface

Rebecca Firkser/Eat This, Not That!

Get our recipe forAvocado Ice Cream.

Get our recipe for aYogurt Parfait.

Get our recipe for aGrilled Banana Split.

Chocolate coconut banana smoothie

Jason Donnelly

Get the recipe fromThe Baker Mama.

Enjoy its sticky sweetness and know in your heart that it was super-easy to put together and bake.

Get our recipe forCoca-Cola Cake.

Affogato

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Get our recipe forButtermilk.

Get our recipe forNo-Bake Cookie Dough.

Get our recipe forPeanut Butter Cookies.

low calorie ice cream sandwiches

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Shortbread Cookies

The truth is, all shortbread is easy to make.

By definition, shortbread is sugar, butter, and flour.

You don’t even have to crack an egg.

ice cream topped with olive oil

Get our recipe forShortbread Cookies.

The crust has just three ingredients, and there are no magic tricks involved.

Just stir, pat, and bake.

two bowls of avocado ice cream with spoons

Waterbury Publications, Inc.

The filling is even easier, and most importantly, the result is healthy and delicious.

Get our recipe forPumpkin Pie Bars.

Good thing it’s keto-friendly.

mixed berry yogurt parfait mint

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Get our recipe forCoconut Vanilla Fudge.

Get our recipe forRaspberry Cheesecake Mousse.

Mascarpone is a cultured, slightly acidic spoonable cheeseit’s almost like a wonderful cheesecake without the added sugar.

Low-calorie grilled banana split

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

And who needs sugar when you have fresh strawberries and a bit of shaved chocolate?

Get our recipe forStrawberry Mascarpone.

Get our recipe forGrilled Cheese with Apples and Bacon.

slice of peach ice cream bread topped with peach slices

Courtesy of The Baker Mama

This ultimate club sandwich practically makes itself.

Get our recipe forUltimate Club Sandwich.

After that, just build it from the bread up.

biting into a slice of coca cola cake on a grey plate

Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

When serving, be sure to slice it down the center.

Then slowly, dramatically, push the two halves apart.

Get our recipe for aSunrise Sandwich.

Cup of homemade buttermilk on a marble counter

Eat This, Not That!

Healthy BLT Sandwich

Our high-protein BLT sandwich also makes genius use of a fried egg.

Get our recipe for aHealthy BLT Sandwich.

Sure, youcouldbuy it from the store.

Keto no-bake cookie dough balls

Beth Lipton

Get our recipe for aTurkey Reuben Sandwich.

Try swapping in crispbreads instead of toast.

And for a bonus, add a sprinkle ofEverything Bagel Seasoning.

keto peanut butter cookies

Beth Lipton / Eat This, Not That!

Get our recipe forAvocado Crispbreads with Everything Bagel Seasoning.

Get our recipe for aBreakfast Avocado.

Get our recipe forChicago-Style Hot Dogs.

keto shortbread cookies on cooling rack

Beth Lipton/Eat This, Not That!

Because it was delicious and easy.

The same goes for homemade granola.

Get our recipe forCranberry Orange Granola.

keto pumpkin pie bars

Beth Lipton / Eat This, Not That!

And speaking of summer, it also happens to be an amazing topping forhomemade ice cream.

Get our recipe forHoney Pecan Cherry Granola.

Dark Chocolate-Covered Almond Clusters

Here are four different recipes forspiced nutsthat are a cinch to make.

tahini coconut vanilla fudge

Beth Lipton / Eat This, Not That!

But if you’re craving something sweet and nutty, go with this recipe for dark chocolate-covered almond clusters.

Get our recipe forDark Chocolate-Covered Almond Clusters.

Just blend them and then cook on a hot skillet.

raspberry mousse in glass jars with fresh raspberries

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Get our recipe forBanana Bread Pancakes.

Get our recipe forGrain-Free Oatmeal.

But unlike a quiche, it requires no crust.

strawberries and vanilla mascarpone keto dessert

Waterbury Publications, Inc.

Get our recipe for aSausage and Mushroom Frittata.

Get our recipe for aHealthy Spring Vegetable Frittata.

Get our recipe forGarlic Lemon Wilted Spinach.

Healthy grilled cheese with apples and bacon

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Get our recipe forBroccoli Cheese Eggs in a Mug.

The point is, it doesn’t get much simpler than this to enjoy a hot, healthy breakfast.

Plus, this one serves four.

Healthy ultimate club sandwich with super mayo

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Get our recipe for aGoat Cheese Veggie Scramble.

Deviled Eggs with Bacon

Deviled eggs are devilishly easy.

Get our recipe forDeviled Eggs with Bacon.

Healthy sunrise sandwich with turkey cheddar guacamole

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Get our recipe forTurkey Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash.

French toast is such a yummy treat, you might forget how easy it is to make.

Get our recipe forFrench Toast.

Healthy ultimate blt

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Plus, it tastes so much better.

Get our recipe forCauliflower Rice.

Alas, it takes just minutes.

Healthy turkey reuben

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

On the bright side, it lasts up to a week in the fridge, as pickled foods do.

Get our recipe forPepperonata.

Get our recipe forSweet and Sour Onions.

avocado crisps with lemon and radish

Carlene Thomas/ Eat This, Not That!

Sweet Potato Toast

Who knew that turning sweet potatoes into crunchy toasts could be this simple?

Try it with any or all of the toppings included in this recipe.

You may find yourself taking a break from avocado toast for a bit.

everything bagel avocado

Posie Brien/Eat This, Not That!

Get our recipe forSweet Potato Toast.

Get our recipe forInstant Pot Cheeseburger Soup.

Get our recipe forRosemary Butternut Squash Soup.

Low-calorie chicago dog

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Get our recipe forCopycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings.

For someone who is finding their way through the kitchen, that’s huge.

Get our recipe forCopycat Wendy’s Chili.

cranberry orange granola bowls with bowl of berries and spoons

Waterbury Publications, Inc.

But we’re here to tell you not to let that stop you from using canned pumpkin.

Get our recipe forPumpkin Potato Mash.

With a hint of chipotle, it brings the heat and the sweet.

Honey pecan cherry granola

Jason Donnelly/Eat This, Not That!

Get our recipe forSpicy Mashed Sweet Potatoes.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

There’s a reason we have so many mashed dishes in this roundup.

And because they’re often virtually goof-proof, mashed dishes like our garlic mashed potatoes are wonderfully confidence-building.

Dark Chocolate-Covered Almond Clusters with Coconut Matcha Sprinkle

Waterbury Publications, Inc.

Get our recipe forGarlic Mashed Potatoes.

And it doesn’t have nearly as many calories.

Get our recipe forMashed Cauliflower.

whole30 banana bread pancake on plate

Posie Brien/Eat This, Not That!

Get our recipe forInstant Pot Cauliflower “Mac” & Cheese.

The shrimp, itself, cooks in mere minutes.

As for the sauce, why buy it bottled when you could so easily make it yourself?

whole30 grain-free oatmeal in bowl

Posie Brien / Eat This, Not That!

Get our recipe forRoasted Shrimp Cocktail.

Get our recipe forShrimp Scampi Linguini.

But when you do get around to cooking with gnocchi, you’ll wonder why that is.

Paleo sausage frittata with mushrooms

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

But perhaps consider tryingTrader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi?

Get our recipe forQuick Gnocchi with Peas and Prosciutto.

Or, as the recipe suggests, you might want to consider making pesto from something other than basil.

spring vegetable frittata in black cast iron skillet

Waterbury Publications, Inc.

The choices are endless.

Get our recipe forVegetarian Pesto Gnocchi.

Vegan garlic lemon spinach in a bowl

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

broccoli cheese eggs in mugs with forks

Waterbury Publications, Inc.

Vegetarian shiitake, spinach & goat cheese scramble

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Healthy smokey deviled eggs

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

turkey sweet potato breakfast hash in cast iron skillet

Waterbury Publications, Inc.

pouring syrup on french toast

Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

cauliflower rice in a skillet scooped into a blue bowl on a marble counter

Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

bowl of pepperonata

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sweet potato toasts on blue plate with butter

Waterbury Publications, Inc.

cheeseburger soup topped with cheese and bacon

Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

whole 30 rosemary butternut squash soup

Posie Brien/Eat This, Not That!

Chicken and Dumplings served with traditional Cracker Barrel sides

Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

wendy’s copycat chili in three bowls on a marble counter with cheese and sour cream

Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Pumpkin potato mash in a large bowl with chives, oil, and salt.

Blaine Moats

mashed sweet potatoes

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Vegan roasted garlic mashed potatoes

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Ricotta roasted garlic mashed cauliflower

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scoop of cheesy cauliflower mac and cheese from an instant pot

Kiersten Hickman/Eat This, Not That!

Healthy shrimp cocktail

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Garlic shrimp scampi recipe with linguine on a marble counter with squeezed lemon

Kiersten Hickman / Eat This, Not That!

Healthy gnocchi with peas and prosciutto

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald

Vegetarian pesto gnocchi with green beans and tomatoes

Mitch Mandel and Thomas MacDonald