If you’re cooking most of your meals it can be hard to look up and execute elaborate recipes. Sometimes you’re in a pinch and just want something simple and easy. Having a stockpile of basic recipes you can go fall back on is great. Some recipes in my stockpile I constantly go back to are baked chicken, sauteed spinach, and baked potato wedges. The best thing about the chicken and potato wedges is they use the same spices and can be baked at the same time. These recipes are incredibly easy and at this point I can do them from memory. Feel free to include these recipes into your own stockpile and alter them to best fit you.
To make the baked chicken:
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts (can use any other cut as well)
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Cayenne (for extra kick of spice)
Steps for Chicken:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees
- Lay chicken out on a lined baking sheet, only use one hand to touch the chicken so you can keep one hand clean
- Drizzle olive oil on the chicken
- Using a clean hand, sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne if using on both sides of the chicken
- Use your dirty hand to rub the spices evenly on the chicken
- Bake in over for 15-20 minutes of until chicken reaches a temperature of 180 degrees.
To make the potato wedges:
Ingredients:
- 2-3 Russet potatoes (can use other types of potatoes)
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic and onion powder
- Paprika
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees
- Thoroughly wash potatoes, we’re keeping the skin on
- Cut potatoes into thick wedges
- Place wedges in a bowl and drizzle olive oil over them, toss to evenly cover wedges
- Add the spices, just eyeball it, and toss the wedges for even distribution
To make sauteed spinach:
Ingredients:
- Spinach (it will wilt a lot so use more than you think)
- Garlic, minced
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Steps:
- Heat up a pan with a little drizzle of olive oil
- Add in the minced garlic
- When the garlic becomes aromatic (when you can smell it) add in the spinach
- Saute the spinach until it wilts, season with salt and pepper
Together these recipes make a great meal but you can enjoy them separately as well. The chicken can be enjoyed with your favorite side dishes and the potato wedges and sauteed spinach make great sides to a plethora of dishes. Have fun cooking and enjoy these dishes.