Most popular cooking recipes

Cooking at home offers numerous benefits beyond just nourishment. It provides an opportunity to exercise creativity, control ingredients for health and dietary needs, and foster a deeper connection with food.

By preparing meals in your own kitchen, you can tailor dishes to suit your taste preferences, dietary restrictions, and budget constraints. Additionally, cooking at home often leads to a greater appreciation for the ingredients and techniques involved in creating delicious meals.

It can also be a rewarding and enjoyable activity to share with family and friends, fostering bonds and creating cherished memories. From mastering basic cooking skills to exploring new recipes and cuisines, cooking at home empowers individuals to take charge of their culinary experiences while promoting a healthier and more sustainable approach to eating.

 

Baked Mac and Cheese:

 

Mac and cheese, a beloved comfort food classic, holds a special place in the hearts and kitchens of countless people around the world. With its creamy, cheesy sauce enveloping tender pasta, mac and cheese delivers a satisfying combination of flavors and textures that evoke feelings of warmth and nostalgia. Whether enjoyed as a simple weeknight dinner, a potluck favorite, or a decadent side dish, mac and cheese never fails to delight taste buds and bring smiles to faces.

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces (about 225g) elbow macaroni or any pasta shape you prefer
  • 4 tablespoons (about 55g) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup (about 30g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (about 475ml) whole milk
  • 2 cups (about 200g) shredded cheese (a combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella works well)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika (optional, for color and flavor)
  • 1/4 cup (about 25g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for topping)

Peakers Tools:

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (about 175°C). Grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
  2. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously for about 1-2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
  4. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until it's completely melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce and stir until well combined.
  7. Pour the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top if using.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
  9. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious homemade mac and cheese!

 

Fried Rice:

 

Fried rice, a staple dish in many cultures across the globe, embodies the art of transforming simple ingredients into a flavorful and satisfying meal. Originating from ancient China, this versatile dish has evolved over centuries and now boasts countless variations, each with its own unique blend of flavors and textures. At its core, fried rice is a harmonious marriage of cooked rice, vegetables, protein, and savory seasonings, stir-fried to perfection in a hot skillet or wok. Its appeal lies not only in its delicious taste but also in its simplicity and adaptability. Whether enjoyed as a quick weeknight dinner, a tasty side dish, or a creative way to use up leftovers, fried rice offers a delightful culinary experience and represents the asian culture.

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old rice)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables (such as diced carrots, peas, corn, and bell peppers)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Sesame seeds and chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)

Peakers Tools:

Instructions:

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the beaten eggs and cook, stirring gently, until scrambled. Remove the eggs from the skillet and set aside.
  2. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the mixed vegetables to the skillet and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they are tender but still crisp.
  4. Add the cooked rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps, and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
  5. Return the scrambled eggs to the skillet and stir to combine with the rice and vegetables.
  6. Drizzle the soy sauce and oyster sauce (if using) over the rice mixture. Stir well to evenly distribute the sauces.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the chopped green onions.
  8. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is well combined and heated through.
  9. Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped cilantro if desired.
  10. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious homemade fried rice!

Traditional Indian Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani):

 

 

This traditional butter chicken recipe has over 300 five star ratings as Murgh Makhani, commonly known as Butter Chicken, is a popular Indian dish that has gained widespread acclaim both in India and internationally. Originating from the culinary traditions of North India, particularly in the region of Punjab, Murgh Makhani is celebrated for its rich and creamy tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic spices.

Ingredients:

For the marination:

  • 1 lb (about 450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste (made from equal parts minced ginger and garlic)
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder (or regular chili powder for spicier)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt to taste

For the sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder (adjust to taste)
  • 1 cup tomato puree
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon honey or sugar (optional, to balance the acidity of the tomatoes)
  • Salt to taste
  • Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with all the marination ingredients - yogurt, ginger garlic paste, turmeric, cumin, coriander, red chili powder, garam masala, lemon juice, and salt. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to marinate.

  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook until they are browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

  3. In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5-6 minutes.

  4. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

  5. Stir in the ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, and Kashmiri red chili powder. Cook for a minute to toast the spices.

  6. Pour in the tomato puree and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and the raw flavor of the tomatoes diminishes.

  7. Reduce the heat to low and add the heavy cream to the skillet. Stir well to combine with the tomato sauce.

  8. Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet, stirring to coat them evenly with the sauce. Allow it to simmer gently for another 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

  9. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding salt and honey or sugar to balance the flavors.

  10. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving. Serve hot with steamed rice, naan bread, or roti.

 

More delicious recipes coming soon!