I went on a date the other night with a girl who basically said she eats out all the time, anything from chipotle to burger king. This reminded me how HUGE being able to cook is when it comes to showing value and extra points with the ladies. So here is a really quick and dirty way on how to eat better and cook for others. All on the CHEAP and EASY and undeniably healthy. This will be very broad directions because lets face it, there are countless variations on amazing dishes but I feel like alot of people need a kick in the ass in the right direction to figure it out.

What inspired me to write this and take my cooking from noob to intermediate was a number of Micheal Pollan books, hes a journalist not a chef, check them out.

Ingredients: Onions,garlic- Since the dawn of time, recipies have started with " start by chopping some on onions and garlic" Buy some

Olive oil-Learn to saute, basically throw veggies and seasoning in a pan with enough oil to coat the surface and SLOWLY cook at a low temp untill you get caramelized veggies. If you burn, its too hot/not enough oil, if you fry your veggies you have too much oil. The longer the better expect at least 15 mins.

Peppers!-Add some color, add some heat

Salt,Pepper,Oregano,Thyme,Curry,Red Pepper,Basil

Leafy Greens-Arugula! Spinach! Kale! Seriously, those boring iceberg lettuce packets is the definition of boring salad. Buy real greens.

MEAT- Chicken breast is cheap and healthy, Pork is good too. Hamburger isnt going to impress anyone.

These are all things you should be buying on a weekly basis anyway if you would like to maintain a semi healthy diet. With these alone you can whip up a legit meal.

Process: To paraphrase Micheal Pollan but pretty much every recipe follows the same rules (Wish I still had the book)

  1. Warm up a pan with oil or fat.

  2. Add veggies (saute low heat)

  3. In another pan brown outside of meat

  4. Add meat to veggies

  5. Cook until done.

  6. Remove meat and veggies

  7. Add liquid (wine, beer, broth, juice, water) to hot pan and dig up flakes on bottom

  8. Cook down at low heat and allow liquid to evaporate creating a glorious sauce full veggie, fatty, meaty goodness.

  9. Pour on meat and veggies, enjoy.

Of course this is the most simple recipe ever but humans have been doing it since the invention of the pot! Do this every night for dinner and you will pick up tricks and learn timing intervals and WILL become that guy who knows how to cook. From here you can just add another side and then you will have a full plate of delicious home cooked food.