Cooking in co-living apartments in Gainesville GA can sometimes feel challenging, especially when recipes come with a long list of ingredients and steps. This can make meal prep seem like an overwhelming task. However, don’t let ingredient-heavy recipes discourage you from exploring your culinary creativity. Thankfully, there are simpler solutions. Some recipes require five ingredients or fewer, making them perfect for quick and easy cooking. Here at The Deryn, we’re excited to share some of our favorite simple recipes. For instance, a delicious tomato soup can be made effortlessly with just butter, canned tomatoes, onion, and your choice of water or broth. Start by melting four tablespoons of butter in a pot, then adding half a large onion, chopped into wedges. Combine with a cup and a half of broth and a can of tomatoes. Allow the mixture to simmer and stir occasionally for about 45 minutes. Once done, let it cool before using a blender to achieve a smooth consistency. Whether you prefer a rich broth or plain water, both options work well, and using either crushed or whole canned tomatoes will yield a fantastic result.
Aglio Olio
Ingredients: Spaghetti Pasta, Olive Oil, Garlic, Parsley, Red Pepper Flakes Aglio Olio is an Italian pasta dish widely popular for its simplicity. Since it requires only basic ingredients, you can whip this up in just a few minutes. First, cook the spaghetti according to its package instructions. While the water is boiling, chop the garlic into thin slices and the parsley finely. Once the pasta is cooked, heat olive oil in a pan and let the garlic and red pepper flakes simmer to release the flavor. After about two minutes, add the pasta and the parsley, and toss until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Chicken Stir-Fry
Ingredients: Rice or Noodles, Chicken Breasts, Frozen Stir-Fry Vegetables, Cooking Oil, Oyster Sauce The great thing about stir-fry is that you can substitute ingredients as you go. You can choose between rice or noodles for your carbs, and chicken breasts for your protein. As for the vegetables, you can buy bags of frozen stir-fry vegetables in the grocery. To cook, saute the cubed chicken breast in oil. Season with salt and pepper and then add the frozen stir-fry vegetables. Once the chicken and vegetables are cooked, add in the rice or noodles and the oyster sauce.
Chili
Ingredients: Ground Beef, White Onion, Can of Diced Tomatoes, Can of Beans, Chili PowderCooking chili sounds complicated but you can make it with only five ingredients! Cook a pound of ground beef in a pot until the meat turns brown. Set it aside and then use the greased pot for the chili. Add in the diced onion and saute until soft. Add in 2 cans of tomatoes, one can of beans, and two tablespoons of chili powder. Let the pot simmer for about ten minutes and you're done.
Chicken Tacos
Ingredients: Chicken Breasts, Taco Seasoning, Tortilla, Choice of ToppingsThis recipe uses a slow cooker but you can slow cook it in a heavy-bottomed pot if you don't have one. Season the chicken with salsa and taco seasoning and then place the chicken at the bottom of the slow cooker. Cook on high for about four hours and then shred the chicken after. Serve with tortilla and additional toppings if you want. This is one of the easiest recipes on this list but it does take a lot of time. So if you're going to cook this, make sure to allot hours for it!Even though these recipes require only five ingredients or less, the resulting dishes won't be bland as the ingredients blend harmoniously together. Take your pick above or maybe try them all—you might discover your soon-to-be favorite dish.
The Deryn in Gainesville, GA