Trying something new in the kitchen can seem scary, even if you're a pro at cooking. But there's no better time than right now to try some of those more challenging recipes that you've had bookmarked for forever but have never had the guts (or time) to actually make. Think of things like homemade pretzels, Chinese takeout from scratch, and decadent dessert rolls. We've rounded up 15+ recipes that range from a little complicated to very so you can challenge yourself on multiple levels in the kitchen. So, get out your pots, knives, and wooden spoons to create some of these dishes and see what you're really made of (spoiler alert: you got this). Keep reading to see them all now.
01
Triple-Berry Breakfast Bread
This breakfast bread is perfect for a quick bite before work or as a side with a big breakfast on the weekend! You could even munch on it as a sweet treat right when it comes out of the oven.
Get the recipe:triple-berry breakfast bread
02
Salmon Wellington
Perfectly cooked salmon enveloped in a flaky pastry sounds like a bit of a challenge, but one that you should be up for! The salmon Wellington is a restaurant-quality dish right in your own home.
Get the recipe:salmon Wellington
03
Pepper Steak
Pepper steak is a classic Chinese takeout item. Make it at home with this recipe.
Get the recipe:pepper steak
04
Sweet and Salty Teddy Bear Snickerdoodles
Cookies just taste better when they're adorable, right? Making these is definitely a process, but the end result is just too cute!
Get the recipe:sweet and salty teddy bear snickerdoodles
Sit back on the couch and slurp up these ramen noodles that didn't come straight from the microwave. Just be sure to watch the shallots, because they can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt in just a few minutes.
Get the recipe:30-minute caramelized shallot beef ramen noodles
06
Chicken Kofta Korma
Bring a little Indian flair into the kitchen with these meatballs, which are dowsed in a creamy sauce for an indulgent dinner.
Get the recipe:chicken kofta korma
07
Arroz Con Pollo
Rice and chicken in one pot sounds like an easy dish to conquer at home, but this one requires a bit more effort. The final dish is so worth it, though.
Get the recipe:arroz con pollo
08
Italian-Style Pizza Dough
Homemade pizza is a great way to get creative in the kitchen. Pizza dough can be a bit finicky, so be sure to read the directions carefully.
Even though this recipe is typically made for Christmas, kringle is good any time of year! Have it for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
Get the recipe:old Danish Christmas kringle
10
Margarita Sorbet
Have a co*cktail and eat it too with this dessert! Just be careful boiling the sugar since it can go from perfect to burnt in just a few seconds.
Get the recipe:margarita sorbet
11
Spinach and Feta Empanadas
Forming and frying these empanadas is the trickiest part of this recipe, but they make a great lunch or side with dinner.
Get the recipe:spinach and feta empanadas
12
Sweet Pretzels
The idea of a breakfast pretzel is super intriguing. Cut these in half for a killer breakfast sandwich!
Get the recipe: sweet pretzels
13
Tom Yum Soup
An authentic hot-and-sour soup can hit the spot better than almost any other soup. Forget takeout and make this one instead.
Get the recipe:tom yum soup
14
Classic Flan
Flan is an ultratempting dessert that's made with a baked custard and caramel top. The whole thing is baked together then inverted so the caramel is on top.
Get the recipe: classic flan
15
Homemade Flour Tortillas
These flour tortillas will bring taco night to a whole new level. Making them perfectly takes time and practice, so be patient with yourself.
Get the recipe:homemade flour tortillas
16
Shrimp Pad Thai With Peanut Sauce
Pad thai is a fun dish with a lot of different flavors and textures. It can even be made with any sort of protein to fit your dietary needs.
Get the recipe:shrimp pad thai with peanut sauce
17
Vegetable Coconut Curry Soup With Rice Noodles
Try out this curry soup, which is sweet and spicy and filled with lots of vegetables. It's even better the next day for lunch.
Get the recipe: vegetable coconut curry soup with rice noodles
A recipe really only needs either ingredients or directions ( the preparation method) to be considered complete. At a minimum most recipes have a title, ingredients list, and preparation method.
The Art of Tiramisu. Tiramisu frequently makes it onto lists of the most challenging recipes, but many experienced bakers will tell you: It's not hard, it's just time-consuming. ...
List ingredients in chronological order. The ingredients list is one of the most important parts of a recipe, and it should be listed in the order that it will appear in the directions list. Make sure to be specific and list exact amounts needed; and include the state of ingredients (i.e., frozen, softened, melted).
Ingredient List - The ingredient list is one of the most critical parts of a recipe. The ingredients should be listed in chronological order, with the ingredient used first at the very top of the list (Palmer, 2020).
Read it all the way through. Make sure you understand what it is telling you to do. It's surprising how many recipes will have something listed in the ingredients (for example, 1 diced bell pepper), and then it never explicitly tells you where to put it in.
Ingredients listed first, in order of use, followed by step-by-step instructions. Instructions are given, followed by the ingredient and the amount of ingredient.
Consistency is the key benefit of using standardized recipes. Consistent taste, texture, appearance, nutrient content, yield and cost lead to an efficient and successful kitchen operation.
A standardized recipe specifically describes the exact, measurable amount of ingredients and the method of preparation needed to consistently produce a high-quality product. The exact procedures, the type of equipment, and the quantity and quality of ingredients are listed.
A standardized recipe is defined as a recipe with specific ingredients and ingredient quantities, a specific cook time, and a set of instructions that ensure a consistent product is produced each time the recipe is used.
Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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