Many young people leave home without any idea of how to cook a simple meal, spending their days munching on instant noodles and cold pizza with the microwave beeping.
If you have kids who are pushing towards independence, we recommend teaching them five easy, versatile dishes that will not only nourish them but also make them a popular roommate or always-welcome potluck guest.
“I’ve seen firsthand how teaching teens to cook can be a game changer for their independence,” says Lindsay Tong, clinical director of Profound Treatment in Los Angeles, Calif. “Cooking shows them they have the ability to take care of themselves and how to be resourceful and bounce back from setbacks. These successes in the kitchen help them feel ready to take on the world.”
If your kids can learn how to make macaroni and cheese, juicy roast chicken, hearty chili, salads with homemade dressing, and decadent brownies, they’ll have a solid foundation for life after leaving the nest.
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
With chewy noodles smothered in cheese sauce, delicious macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food: delicious, filling, easy to make, and endlessly customizable.
First, boil the noodles. Heat milk and flour to make a thick sauce and mix in shredded cheese. Finally, mix the sauce with the noodles. To taste, transfer the mixture to a baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and bake or broil until golden and crispy on top.
Adding frozen peas, broccoli, or other veggies will boost the nutritional value of your mac and cheese. For extra protein, add sausage, bacon, or diced ham. Go basic with cheddar cheese or try something different like Gruyere or Asiago cheese. Spice it up with cayenne pepper or ground chipotle.
Roast Chicken
Beautiful, flavorful and versatile, roasted chicken is the perfect dish for teenagers who are learning basic cooking skills and want to challenge themselves. Roasted chicken makes a satisfying centerpiece to a meal, and leftovers can be reused for future meals such as chicken enchiladas or tacos.
Rub the chicken all over with the spice mix in oil or butter and place breast side up in a roasting pan. For extra flavor, stuff the cavity of the chicken with herbs and lemon slices. Roast over high heat until the chicken is cooked through. Use a digital thermometer to check if it’s safe to do so. The USDA recommends a minimum temperature of 165 F/74 C.
For an easy one-pan dish, sauté chopped potatoes, carrots and mushrooms in oil and scatter them around the chicken before roasting – it makes a perfect side dish.
Salad with homemade dressing
For true beginners in the kitchen, salads are a great place to start: your child can learn how to use a knife and become familiar with different ways to prepare vegetables.
A great salad has a balance of color, texture and flavor: combine crunchy raw vegetables, like lettuce, sliced cucumber and radishes, with creamy avocado, crunchy nuts, fried onions, croutons and bacon.
Looking for a salad to go with your meal? Add grilled chicken or shrimp, eggs, nuts, beans, or other proteins for a hearty salad. Add fruit and cheese for contrasting flavors and textures.
Dressings can make or break a salad, so don’t settle for store-bought dressings. The best dressings combine acids, fats, and seasonings. Together, these ingredients create a flavorful, balanced dressing that complements your vegetables.
These ingredients can be mixed and matched however you like. For fats, use olive oil, mayonnaise, buttermilk, or sour cream; the latter two count as sour. For sour elements, use any type, including citrus juice or vinegar. Fresh herbs, dried spices, mustard, nut butters, and spices like garlic and ginger can completely change the flavor profile.
Chile
Chili is a foolproof dish that’s perfect for serving a crowd, and making chili is a great way to learn about seasoning and get creative with different spices and condiments.
To make it, add oil to your largest pot and sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant, then add the ground meat (if using). Once the meat is browned, add spices such as spicy or mild chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cinnamon. Add a little broth and bring to a simmer. Adding ingredients such as beans, hominy, or tomatoes will add volume to your chili.
Chili is infinitely customizable, so kids can try different textures and flavor combinations. Substitute ground chicken or turkey for beef, or use beans or soy-based chorizo instead of meat. Make it more or less spicy, add corn or other vegetables, or whatever suits your tastes. Chili is so versatile that no matter how creative you get, it’s delicious.
Brownie
Who could say no to a brownie? Compared to elaborate cakes or tricky pastries, brownies are an easy treat to make, even for a first-time baker. And there are so many ways to make them your own every time. You can even add unexpected flavours like chocolate or butterscotch chips, nuts, instant coffee or orange zest and juice. You can even make a small batch of brownies for two.
Preheat oven and prepare baking pan by spraying with baking spray. Mix flour, cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, oil, vanilla extract, salt and baking powder until thoroughly combined. Stir in the ingredients and transfer to brownie pan and bake. A toothpick inserted into the center is done when it comes out clean.
Today the kitchen, tomorrow the world
With the prevalence of YouTube cooking tutorials and TikTok hacks, it’s tempting to think that kids will easily master cooking on their own. But cooking with your teen is a great way to bond with them while also giving them basic skills they’ll need for adulthood. Teaching your teen basic cooking skills helps them develop a sense of independence, which is more important than any recipe.
Robin Donovan is the author of more than 40 cookbooks, including the best-selling Campfire Cuisine, Ramen Obsession, and Ramen for Beginners.
