“I was thirty-two when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate.”
– Julia Child –
If you’ve read my blog for some time you probably know that I’m no cook. The past ten years I’ve basically subsisted on snack food, green smoothies, and Seamless. Because dining out in Copenhagen is so expensive (think $25-$30 for your average burger, yikes…) and bikini season is just around the corner, I’ve decided it’s time to put down the Danish pastries and learn how to cook. Now the question is, where to start? Do you have a delicious foolproof meal on rotation? What’s your favorite way to cook chicken? How about salmon? Any food blogs I simply must read? Simon and I love all food so as long as it’s simple (think “cooking for dummies”), yummy, and relatively healthy, I’m willing to try. This afternoon I may go really wild and invest in some measuring spoons and a measuring cup (I hear they’re useful…). Can’t wait to read your suggestions!
(above: Mushroom Pasta with Spinach and Goat Cheese by Pinch of Yum)
The Jamie Oliver app is a winner :) Loads of great recipes, step by step pictures and you can check on what ingredients you need when you’re out and about!
I’ve recently gotten really into cooking and I’ve found that there are so many healthy things to make that are actually really easy. One of my favorite things to do is roast asparagus, which is so good for you, DELICIOUS, and incredibly simple! I preheat the oven to 375, put down a piece of tin foil on a pan, spread out the asparagus, and drizzle olive oil, sea salt, and pepper all over the top. I let it roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes (depending on how crispy you’re in the mood for) and it always comes out perfect. It’s seriously a game changer because of how good and easy it is. I eat it at least a few times a week!
Have you ever read Sophie Dahl’s cookbooks? They’re delicious and relatively simple. She also had an adorable cooking show on the BBC (I just watch it on YouTube) called “The Delicious Miss Dahl” about the intersection between food, menory and feelings (each episode has a theme like nostalgia and romance). Also never underestimate the humble casserole – it’s foolproof (usually whatever you want to put in works) and it’s always a crowd favorite. I usually make them with zucchini noodles (just siralized zucchini)to keep it healthy.
CC – Jamie Oliver is so cute! My in-laws took a class at his cooking school in Notting Hill recently and had so much fun. Will download his app tonight. Thanks for the idea!
Frannie – This sounds so delicious. I will have to try it and surprise Simon. He won’t believe I really made it, hah! xo
Jamie – I don’t know her cookbooks, but have always admired how pretty she is! Will look up her books now! And a casserole sounds really good right now, zucchini noodles, googling! Thank you!!!
goop and all of Gweneth Paltrow’s cookbooks have simple and delicious recipes! A personal favorite of mine is the flapjack recipe in an old travel guide on goop – I make them in batches and will freeze the rest to grab and go throughout the month.
Alanna – I’m embarrassed to admit that I had two of her books when I lived in Brooklyn and I loved to look at the photos, but I never wound up making anything?! I’ll have to give them another go. A friend made her soup once and it was so delicious. Will look into the flapjack recipe! Thanks for sharing!
You must purchase the following cookbooks – they are filled with delicious (and easily prepared!) meals that will become part of your everyday repertoire:
The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook – Deb Perelman
Super Natural Everyday and/or Near and Far – Heidi Swanson
The Sprouted Kitchen: A Tastier Take on Whole Foods – Sara Forte
Date Night In – Ashley Rodriguez
Seven Spoons: My Favorite Recipes for Any and Every Day – Tara O’Brady
You must frequent these websites – they are filled with great recipes, tips, and suggestions:
http://www.food52.com
http://www.seriouseats.com
http://www.thekitchn.com/
My husband and I love to cook, so trying out new recipes is one of our hobbies. However, when we aren’t in the mood to follow directions or try something new, we always make our favorite go to – baked potatoes with steamed broccoli and cheese sauce! Or, if we want to be even healthier, baked sweet potatoes with hummus and kale chips.
Heather – This is so helpful! Those baked potatoes sound delish. One Kings Lane sent Ashley Rodriguez and me to North Carolina a couple years ago on a little blog adventure and she is the absolute sweetest! All her recipes look so yummy, definitely need to get her book. Bookmarking all the sites you recommended too! Thank you!
This is my go-to super easy recipe:
http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/chicken-with-white-beans-and-tomatoes
A little salad on the side, crusty bread, and some wine and you’ve got a terrific meal!
A foolproof go-to for easy, week-night meals I always revert to is cooking a big batch of farro or quinoa at the beginning of the week (I cook mine in chicken stock rather than water to add more flavor), and then throughout the week I use that as a base and add whatever is in the fridge into it: kale or spinach, tomatoes, feta, chicken sausage, etc. It’s filling and cozy comfort food but healthy too!
N – The photo of that chicken is making me so hungry! Thank you for forwarding, would be a perfect option for us. Wish me luck! xx
Carly – Love this idea! Will try to pick up a bunch of quinoa tomorrow. And chicken stock. I wonder how you say that in Danish? Here goes nothing…! xo
This blog is really reliable for simple, tasty meals:
http://minimalistbaker.com/
Adelaide – Ohhh I think I’ve re-pinned some images from that blog. Will take a look at all their options, thank you! P.S. Your name is so pretty!
Hi Katie! I love Barefoot Contessa! One recipe that has been a big hit in our home is her Roasted Salmon with Green Herbs. I usually make a very large piece (so we have leftovers) and we eat it with brown rice and avocados, for example. Then the next day I just take it out of the fridge and serve it with veggies. It’s even better the next day and no reheating!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-salmon-with-green-herbs-recipe.html
My very favorite book is An Everlasting Meal by Tamar Adler. Life changing advice on food and life. The best read.
For truly reliable recipes, I’ve found The New Basics Cookbook by Julee Rosso & Shela Lukins (authors of the Silver Palate Cookbook) a lasting treasure. Same with the original Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten.
Recently, I bought Everyday Detox by Megan Gilmore. I know — that last one sounds grim — but the recipes are super-simple, fresh and healthy. Good luck with your culinary adventures!
{P.S. We’re excited here in NYC about the opening in Grand Central Terminal of Copenhagen transplant Claus Meyer’s Agern restaurant. Loved the New Nordic cuisine when I visited Copenhagen last October.}
Ana -That salmon is exactly the type of things I’m looking for! It looks so yummy and I love the idea of leftovers (less cooking!). Thank you!
Jennifer – I’ve never heard of it! Googling now. Sounds like something I should definitely read. Thank you!
Susi – Will check out Ina and Megan’s books! Isn’t New Nordic food awesome?! I wasn’t sure I’d like it (I’m not a big smoked fish person…), but we’ve really enjoyed everything we’ve tried here in Copenhagen thus far. Say hello to NY for me!
http://ifoodreal.com/chicken-and-garden-veggies-quinoa-skillet/
http://www.theironyou.com/2014/08/shawarma-chicken-bowls-with-basil-lemon.html
http://deliciousshots.blogspot.com.br/2012/07/summer-roasted-vegetables.html
http://www.refinery29.com/sheet-pan-recipes#slide-1
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/mexican-lime-soup-chicken.html
Katie, my 12 year old daughter and I watch the New York Times Melissa Clark videos for fun easy meal and dessert ideas. Her recipes are winners and her videos are charming. Many of them are staples for our whole family.
If you want to be inspired read the Manger blog by Mimi Thorisson, she’s French Chinese, and her blog is just really beautiful.
Kumi
My go-to easy recipes I probably eat a few times a month are:
Bon Appetit’s khao soi http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/chicken-khao-soi
Jamie Oliver’s satay chickn http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/chicken-skewers-amazing-satay-sauce-fiery-noodle-salad-fruit-and-mint-sugar/11976/ – I use the recipe loosely and often have it with satay or use the sauce for stir fries
Furikake – a Japanese seasoning that’s delicious on plain rice with lots of veggies and salmon http://www.catherinesprunt.com/2015/11/homemade-furikake-simple-japanese-meal.html
Or a roasted chicken – super easy! Just rub the skin with lots of salt, pepper and olive oil and roast in a pre-heated oven for around 1hr30 depending on your oven. I love it with quick-roasted potatoes and slaw: http://www.catherinesprunt.com/2015/09/a-roast-chicken-recipe-for-end-of-summer.html. Leftovers are great for sandwiches, in noodle soup, with cous cous, etc.
Katie,
I started cooking when I learned I was gluten intolerant. Tired of feeling like crap, dealing with the horrible headaches and “belly” complaints, I made a dramatic dietary shift. I follow the Paleo diet, that is I only eati fruit, veggies, and meat. I started about about 5 years ago, and at the time, finding gluten free options in the grocery store was incredibly difficult, forget eating out! I probably would have starved to death if it hadn’t been for Sarah Fragoso’s Everyday Paleo. Now at http://www.sarahfagoso.com, she has super simple and very healthy recipes. My other favorite is Nigella Lawson, she is sort of took the fear out of cooking for me. She looks like she is having so much fun! Her recipes that are easy to follow and so full of flavor!
Tip for the kitchen: invest in some good knives! Measuring spoons and cups will be important, and there are so many lovely options out there these days.
Lately I have been cooking salmon using a modified version of Pioneer Woman’s “Pastor Ryan’s Bronzed Sea Bass” Recipe which is super simple and quick (although you may have to adjust it depending on the thickness of your fish) – Preheat oven to 375F /190C, season fillets with salt and pepper, heat Canola oil (or some other high-smoke point oil) until it is sizzling hot in an iron skillet, add fillets (skin side down) and sear for 2 min, flip the fillets over and then transfer the whole pan into oven and bake for 8 min.
If you appreciate good food, cooking (on good nights) can be a great creative outlet – esp with a glass of wine and some music in the kitchen! Wishing you luck and good meals to come!
Oh and Thomas Keller’s Chicken is my absolute fav way of roasting a whole bird. Preheat oven to 450F /230 C, Pat Chicken dry (any moisture keeps the skin from getting deliciously crispy), season the bird with salt and pepper, truss it (or don’t I have done it both ways), cook 50-60 min, remove from oven and let rest another 15min before carving. SO GOOD with rice & or bread.