Recipes for an absolute beginner

[Mum4Fergus]

Hi, can you help me out with some easy/basic but healthy recipes to pass on to an 18yo relative learning to fend for himself on the food front please?

[Blondie1984]

Stir fry - with chicken, beef, prawn or just veg
Spaghetti bolognaise
Pasta bake
Chilli con carne

What does he like eating? Could you maybe spend some time showing him how to make some of his favourites?

[Mum4Fergus]

I'll definitely be spending some time to help him out...just a bit stuck on the ideas front

[NicknameUsed]

Can I suggest you buy him a student cookery book. The recipes are simple, have short ingredient lists and don't cost the earth.

[conkerpods]

Yes,student cookery book.
A lot of the BBC Goodfood recipes are great,especially their chilli con carne.

[AtleastitsnotMonday]

I think as well as recipes teach techniques that can be applied to loads of different things. This may be to basic (I'm not sure what he knows already) but boiling, pasta, rice, potatoes, veg
Frying onions, veg, browning meat,
Roasting/oven baking chicken (or chicken pieces), fish, veg, pizza!

I would definitely teach them to cook eggs in all forms (the ultimate fast food)!
If budget is likely to be an issue focus on low cost recipes. You haven't said if this is a student at uni but if so I remember one of the things I most needed was really quick things because I didn't want to spend hours in the kitchen when I needed to be studying (or partying!) so knowing how to cook bacon or fish finders for filling sandwiches and being able to have scrambled egg on toast on the table in 5 mins were life savers. Ditto the humble baked potato and beans that could be chucked in the oven and forgotten about.

[MelanieCheeks]

Jamie's Ministry of Food cookbook.

[ChocolateStarBiscuits]

omelette
bolognaise
fajitas
macaroni cheese or cauli cheese (i.e. a roux)

[foodiemama26]

yummy toast toppings! poached eggs, scrambled eggs, creamy mushrooms, cheese on toast etc.

[NannyR]

I can also recommend Jamie's ministry of food cookbook. Lots of basic recipes such as stew, curry, pasta dishes etc on a budget.

[wobblywonderwoman]

Pasta pesto

Chicken stir fry

Thai curry- using paste and coconut milk

Salmon and new potatoes

Macaroni cheese

Jacket potatoes

Pasta bake

Chilli/spag bol/cottage pie

[NameChange1935]

Rosemary red bean soup - easy, fast, cheap ingredients and adaptable
www.anediblemosaic.com/meals-in-minutes-rosemary-red-bean-soup/

Agree with student cookbook, or one of Delia's how to cook books as she explains why things cook in certain ways, which is helpful to understand for gaining confidence and being able to grow as a cook, adapt recipes etc.