2020 is probably the loneliest year there has ever been. For those who’re trapped in their homes, trying to fight off the COVID-19 pandemic, enjoying a meal with friends and family again seems like a distant prospect.
Those weekend dinners, barbeque nights, and summer cookouts are a thing of history, so why bother slaving away in the kitchen for hours when you’re only cooking for one?
So if you miss eating out at your favorite restaurant, we’ve found some easy alternatives that you can whip up in your own kitchen in no time, and yes, all these recipes are approved by Michelin-starred chefs!
Lamb Chops
When it comes to fancy main courses, lamb chops take the cake. But making them at home sounds like a laborious task, doesn’t it? Well, not according to Bresca’s head chef, Ryan Ratino, who puts together a plate in a few minutes when he’s dining solo.
Chops cook fairly quickly and are full of flavor so you won’t need to add that many ingredients to make it Michelin-star worthy. Ratino marinates the chops in some herbs and spices to tenderize them and then throws them on a hot griddle for a few minutes.
Any residual fat left on the pan can be used to sautee vegetables. This dish really is a one-pan wonder!
Cacio e Pepe
Pasta is the most popular weeknight dinner because of how easy it is to put together. But if you’re tired of eating the same bolognese from a jar, here’s another recipe that might quickly become your new favorite.
The ingredient list for cacio e Pepe is fairly simple; all you need is your favorite pasta, freshly (and coarsely) ground black pepper, and lots of grated pecorino. This Italian staple takes minutes to cook and packs so much flavor and heat that you won’t even need to salt it!
Handmade Sushi Rolls
Sushi is a type of edible art that’s almost impossible to recreate at home. But even if you don’t have any professional experience at rolling sushi, you can still make these no-fuss handmade rolls.
Not only is this dish convenient and easy to make, but it is also cheap and requires minimal ingredients. Start by preparing the base for the sushi by adding vinegar, salt and sesame seeds to cooked white rice. Using the freshest raw fish of your choice, slice it as thinly as possible, and mix it with some siracha and mayo for extra flavor.
Now take a nori sheet and cut it in a rectangle shape. pressing some cooked rice on it, and adding the fish as well as other toppings of your choice like avocado and cucumber. Now roll the sheet into a cone shape and devour.