25 Easy Recipes That Will Teach You How To Cook in 2014

This blueberry crumb bar recipe is a great item to add to your wheelhouse. Not only are the instructions simple and easy, the blueberries can be swapped for whatever fruit happens to be seasonal. Which means you can bring these treats to any picnic, cook-out, gathering, or get-together — year-round. (via Damn Delicious)

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Homemade Pad Thai. In 20 minutes. You just won cooking. (via Half Baked Harvest)

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Let’s face facts — gravy is important. So tuck this easy step-by-step recipe in your back pocket, because you’re going to need it. (via How Sweet It Is)

Image: How Sweet It Is

If you’ve mastered spaghetti and meatballs, let’s keep moving right along with this dish of soba noodles, roasted zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and Swiss chard pesto. Pasta 2.0. (via What’s Cooking Good Looking)

Image: What’s Cooking Good Looking

With this salmon cake recipe, you are just 15 minutes away from fancy. Dip them in freshly-made tartar sauce, and you’re welcome. (via Healthful Pursuit)

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This recipe for Mississippi roast calls for just five ingredients. Throw it all in your crock pot and let the Slow Cooker Fairy do its thing. (via Table for Two)

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Fancy-ass hot chocolate for a fancy-ass girl. Don’t be a Swiss Miss — step up your game with this grown-up recipe. (via A Cozy Kitchen)

Image: A Cozy Kitchen

Maybe you’ve already mastered the microwave popcorn thing. If so, good for you. If you’re interested in something a bit more special, this popcorn is prepared in a pot or Dutch oven, and is all dressed up with lemon, Parmesan, and black pepper. (via Cookie + Kate)

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This roast turkey breast how-to is a tasty way to practice your Thanksgiving form. Master this recipe, and soon you’ll be moving on to the whole bird. (via Foodie Crush)

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Want to woo your significant other with fresh and exciting flavors? With this easy ginger and orange-glazed salmon, you won’t be taking on more than you can chew. Serve it up with a healthy sweet potato hash for the full effect. (via Bare Root)

Image: Bare Root

This is breakfast — so simple and so delicious. Asparagus spears are sautéed in a cast-iron skillet and then eggs are cracked on top. Sprinkle with a bit of goat cheese and enjoy. (via Naturally Ella)

Image: Naturally Ella

Baking with yeast is something that intimidates novice chefs, but these whole-wheat garlic knots will make it worth your while. Joy’s directions are clear and easy to follow, so get baking. (via Joy The Baker)

Image: Joy The Baker

You’ll find a great recipe for chocolate chip cookies here — AND these ones are sandwiched with a super inventive red miso frosting. You’re about to become very impressive. (via Climbing Grier Mountain)

Image: Climbing Grier Mountain

These prosciutto-wrapped asparagus spears are perfect for a little pre-meal nibbling at your next dinner party. Lucky for you, this recipe could not be any easier. (via Damn Delicious)

Image: Damn Delicious

You’re probably thinking, “Mac and cheese? I lived in a college dorm. I’ve got this.” You are, however, wrong. This mac and cheese is all grown up with brie, havarti, fontina, and cheddar. That’s FOUR cheeses — four more than your boxed “cheese powder” version. You need to eat this. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Image: Half Baked Harvest

Here’s another idea for a hors d’oeuvre or tapas menu. These Cuban-spiced shrimp are the easiest thing to put together — just arrange them on top of your baguette toasts, sit back, and wait for the compliments to start flowing your way. (via Adventures in Cooking)

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This pork shank and meatball stew looks too delicious to not know how it’s made. Don’t be dumb. Print this recipe and tack it to your fridge ASAP. (via The Healthy Foodie)

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You can make donuts at home. Here’s how. Mic drop. (via Joy The Baker)

Image: Joy The Baker

Chicken, cheese, black beans, more cheese, enchilada sauce, still more cheese. This enchilada pasta skillet is dangerously easy to put together. (via Pass the Sushi)

Image: Pass The Sushi

Cooking seafood can be a little daunting. But cooking it en papillote (that is, in paper), is probably the easiest way to earn your fish-cooking chops. This fresh recipe includes shrimp, rainbow quinoa, zucchini, lemon, and fresh dill — just wrap it all up in parchment paper and let the whole pack steam in the oven. (via Jelly Toast)

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Juicy slices of beef tenderloin served with fresh arugula on teeny tiny buns? You have my attention. I’ll take my fondue on the side, please. Make all your miniature sandwich dreams come true with this easy-to-follow, genius-level recipe. (via How Sweet It Is)

Image: How Sweet It Is

Store-bought granola can be expensive — so let’s make our own, OK? This simple recipe will get you started. Once you’ve mastered it, you can dress it up with whatever mix-ins your little heart desires. (via Love and Lemons)

Image: Love and Lemons

A good beef stew recipe is crucial in surviving a long winter. This no-fuss version — thoughtfully boozed-up with Guinness stout — is perfect for those darkest days. (via Jelly Toast)

Image: Jelly Toast

Knowing how to make a cake — a really, really good cake — is crucial to any culinary education. This date and honey cake with cinnamon orange glaze should do the trick. Trust me. (via Adventures in Cooking)

Image: Adventures in Cooking