Anyone else caught the baking bug during lockdown? Or maybe you’re experimenting with delicious dinners since most restaurants and takeaways are closed? Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just dabbling in the kitchen, check out these fab easy recipes we’ve found that anyone can make, using ingredients you’ll likely have in your cupboards already.
Image: Emma Christensen via The Kitchn
Something sweet - Banana Bread
If this isn’t already the most-searched recipe on the internet then it will be soon! Comforting, tasty and super easy to make, a loaf of banana bread (or banana muffins) is a must-bake. Try this recipe from The Kitchn for a flexible ingredient list and a quick and easy to follow method. I used this recipe myself and can confirm it is 100% delicious, plus it used up those mushy brown bananas that would've otherwise been binned!
Image: Melanie Jenkins via HealthyFood.com
Meat-free – Chickpea Curry
This quick and tasty chickpea curry is not only vegan, but gluten-free too! So yummy that even the fussiest eaters will love it, it uses staple spices and canned foods that most of us have in our cupboards already. Plus, it can be made in a big batch and frozen for later. Win-win! Check out the recipe on Healthy Food.
Image via Tasty
Comfort food – Mac & Cheese
Mac & Cheese is one of the ultimate comforting foods out there. This recipe from Tasty uses 3 fridge essentials as a base: milk, pasta and cheese. You can always add in whatever else takes your fancy, too - bacon lardons, chopped bell peppers, spinach, caramelised onions… We’re drooling just thinking of the possibilities. Plus, once it’s cooked through, pop it in an oven-proof dish and sprinkle over breadcrumbs or crushed up ready salted crisps and broil it for a yummy mac & cheese bake.
Image via BBC Good Food
Fakeaway – Chinese Sweet & Sour Chicken
You can’t beat a good Chinese takeaway, but this BBC Good Food recipe comes close enough! Using easy to find ingredients, this quick microwave recipe hits the spot for those Friday night takeaway cravings. Top it off with some easy egg fried rice (just boil some rice, drain it and fry it off with a cracked egg in a pan) et voila! Your fakeaway is served.
Image via Bigger Bolder Baking
Homemade classic – Pizza
Once you know how to make a simple pizza dough, the possibilities are endless! Follow this quick 15 minute pizza dough recipe from Bigger Bolder Baking (good news: it doesn’t need any yeast which is seemingly impossible to find right now!) to get your pizza base, then top with whatever you fancy. Simple, easy AND quick!
Do you have any tried and tested lockdown recipes? Share them with us in the comments or on social and let us know if you try any of these!
Stay safe,
LJ x
