Easy Recipes to Share with your Friends

Many students go to university without knowing how to make a simple bowl of pasta. I understand you, it isn’t easy to cook. Perhaps the idea of preparing a meal seems time consuming or quite frankly tedious. Cooking, when done with the right people, can be a really fun experience. These three cheap and delicious recipes will definitely improve your cooking in both taste and pleasure.

American pancakes

Now I know what you might be thinking; pancakes? Who has time for pancakes? Believe me, these pancakes are definitely worth it. Word of warning though, if you make these for your friends, they will likely be asking for more. 

You will need:

• 2/3 cup or 140 g of flour
• 1 tbsp of baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• 4 tbsp of caster sugar (or maybe more)
• 1/2 cup or 135 ml of any milk
• 1 large egg
• 2 1/2 tbsp of melted butter
• Oil
• Toppings of your choice
• A large bowl
• A second bowl
• Whisk
• Frying pan
• Ladle

Method:

1. Pour 2/3 cup or 140 g of flour into a large bowl. Add 1 tbsp of baking powder and one pinch of salt to the bowl. This recipe calls for 4 tbsp of caster sugar, but depending on how sweet you like your pancakes you can add as much as you like. Then lightly mix the ingredients together. 
2. In a separate bowl, whisk 1/2 cup or 135 ml of any milk and 1 large egg together. Following this, whisk in 2 1/2 tbsp of melted butter. 
3. Pour the milk mixture into the large bowl and whisk the ingredients together. Continue mixing until the lumps disappear. 
4. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add any oil to the pan. Pour a ladle of the mixture into the pan and wait until bubbles form around the edges. Flip it over and repeat. 
5. Serve with fresh fruit and your toppings of choice such as Nutella, maple syrup, lemon or sugar.

Creamy Mushroom Gnocchi

Perhaps one of the more simple recipes, this dish is excellent during winter. Following the classic Italian method, it contains five ingredients or less, excluding salt and pepper. 

You will need:

• 284ml single cream
• 1 tbsp crushed garlic
• 1 tsp salt and pepper
• Gnocchi
• Parmesan cheese
• Mushrooms
• White wine
• Wooden spoon
• Frying pan

Method:

1. Begin by putting a large frying pan over a medium to high heat. Pour approximately 284 ml of single cream into the pan. Add 1 tbsp of crushed garlic to the cream as well as 1 tsp of both salt and pepper. Mix this together. Allow the mixture to rest but ensure to mix it with a wooden spoon every 15 seconds. 

Advice: unless you taste the sauce while you are cooking you won’t know whether it is good or not. Taste away. 

2. Boil the Gnocchi in a pot over high heat. Ensure you turn the heat down once the water begins to boil and that salt and oil are added prior to the addition of Gnocchi. Note: Gnocchi does not require a specific cooking time. As soon as the Gnocchi floats to the surface, you must drain the water. 
3. While the Gnocchi is cooking, add your desired amount of parmesan cheese and mushrooms to the frying pan and allow it to cook for around 7 minutes. White wine of your choosing can be added as well, but it is not necessary. If you do decide on it, simply add a splash of it to the sauce and allow it to cook. 

Advice: If the sauce appears to be too thick or decreases in quantity, add a splash of milk or the water used to cook the gnocchi in. 

4. Finally, add the Gnocchi to the creamy mushroom sauce and allow this to cook some more. 

Healthy Chicken Salad

This recipe is ideal for a light summer meal. Easily prepared in 15 minutes, it is perfect if you desire a fast and healthy meal. 

YOu will need:

• Oil
• 200g diced chicken
• 2 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp salt and pepper
• Mixed green leaves and veg of your choice (for example corn, carrots and diced mozzarella)
• Sunflower seeds
• Balsamic vinegar
• Frying pan

Method:

1. Start by putting a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add a splash of oil to the pan, and add your protein of choice. This recipe will call for 200 g of diced chicken. 
2. Add 2 tsp of paprika, salt and pepper to the chicken– Cook the chicken for around 15 minutes. 

Note: when cooking, make sure to get creative with recipes. If you want less or more of an ingredient, cook as you please. Remember, cooking is not about following rules but rather about adding spices and foods you enjoy

3. In a bowl of your liking add mixed green leaves and vegetables of your preference. This recipe will call for corn, carrots, and if desired, diced mozzarella. Add as much of each ingredient as you wish.
4. Once the chicken is cooked, add it to the salad. 
5. Sprinkle some sunflower seeds on top. Then add a dash of extra virgin olive oil, thick balsamic vinegar and salt. Lightly mix the ingredients together.
6. It is now ready to eat!

Enjoy!

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