Nothing equals the satisfaction of home cooking. No commercial food mix or store-bought foods can match one made from the best fresh ingredients with all the added enjoyment that cooking at home provides. Nothing beats the enticing aromas that fill the house and stimulate appetites, the delicious straight-from-the-oven flavor, as well as the pride of having created such beautiful meals yourself.
Practice, patience, and enthusiasm are the keys to confident and booming cooking. Suppose you want to be inspired to start breaking eggs and stirring up all sorts of delectable classic family recipes and easy baking recipes that are restaurant-worthy dishes. In that case, this blog is definitely for you! Think of these seven (7) dishes when entertaining friends, impressing your in-laws, or jazz up a date night – all guaranteed to bring great satisfaction to you and to those lucky enough to enjoy the results.
Pork Chops with Parmesan Sauce
Moist and tender chops make a speedy and comforting weeknight meal with only 20 minutes of prep time. They’re dressed with a smooth, creamy sauce seasoned with Parmesan, onion, and a hint of nutmeg, parsley, and thyme. Nutrition facts include 1 pork chop with 1/4 cup sauce: 244 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 475mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. Here’s a new family favorite!
Creamy Herb-Grilled Salmon
If you have a huge herb garden and love using herbs in almost everything you cook, then this is the recipe for you. Having a wild-caught salmon, use fresh herbs in this moist and delicious 30 minute-grilled recipe. On cooler days, bake it instead. Nutrition facts include 3 ounces cooked salmon: 325 calories, 25g fat (7g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 379mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein.
Pepper Steak with Squash
Serve this colorful stir-fry with savory strips of flank steak and plenty of veggies over rice for a satisfying supper that’s on the table in less than half an hour. Spice this recipe up a bit by adding ginger, sesame oil, or a touch of hoisin sauce. Nutrition facts include 1-1/2 cups stir-fry (calculated without rice): 229 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 381mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch.
Rosemary-Thyme Lamb Chops
If you love lamb, make this dish whenever you want to entertain or simply lounge at home. It’s the perfect main course for holidays or get-togethers. Nutrition facts include 2 lamb chops: 231 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 493mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 32g protein. Diabetic Exchange: 4 lean meat.
Parmesan Chicken with Lemon Rice
Suppose you are a cook who likes the challenge of inventing recipes with ingredients you have on hand, this one’s for you. This easy-peasy meal fits the bill with only 30 minutes to prepare. Nutrition facts include 3 ounces cooked chicken with 3/4 cup rice: 500 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 623mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 36g protein.
Apple-Topped Ham Steak
Sweet apples combine nicely with tangy mustard in this dish to create a luscious topping for skillet-fried ham steak. I especially like to serve this to guests in the fall, especially since it would only take thirty minutes to prepare! Nutrition facts include 1 serving: 219 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 58mg cholesterol, 1213mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein.
Tortellini Carbonara
Bacon, cream, and Parmesan cheese make a classic pasta sauce that’s heavenly. It’s a delightful option for companies with only twenty minutes to prepare! Traditional carbonara tends to have egg in the sauce. Try halving the cream and tempering two whisked eggs into your sauce for added protein. Temper your eggs by adding a small amount of the hot mixture to the whisked egg before adding it all back to the pan. After removing the pan from the heat, be sure to do this to keep your eggs from scrambling! For a tasty taco salad, skip the shells and serve this over a bed of lettuce. Top with crushed tortilla chips if you love that crunch! Nutrition facts include 1 cup: 527 calories, 36g fat (20g saturated fat), 121mg cholesterol, 728mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein.
Food brings people together, and cooking at home is a great way to unite your family over the dining table. Everyone loves a home-cooked meal—even moody teenagers or picky eaters. And if you live alone, that doesn’t mean you have to cook or eat alone. Sharing meals with others is a great way to expand your social network. Getting appreciative feedback on a meal you’ve prepared for someone can bring a real boost to your self-esteem, too.
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