Four Recipes that a High Schooler Can Make

The website www.allrecipes.com is incredible and extremely popular. For those who have not yet discovered this cornucopia of recipes, anyone can create an account, fill in the ingredients, cooking directions, and a photo, and upload a dish for everyone to review and enjoy. I made these dishes in high school (basically two years ago). The following four recipes are incredibly easy and guaranteed delicious. 

Depending on the amount and type of cheese you use,
the bruschetta can look like this or an amazing
mountain of cheese

1. Double Tomato Bruschetta 
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/double-tomato-bruschetta/detail.aspx

Submitted by Laurie Thompson, these pizza-like bruschetta bites are fantastic, simple, and healthy. 
Prep: 15 min, Cook: 7 min, Ready in: 35 min

Ingredients:
6 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup fresh basil, stems removed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 French baguette 
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven on broiler setting.
2. In a large bowl, combine the roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes.
3. Cut the baguette into 3/4-inch slices. On a baking sheet, arrange the baguette slices in a single layer. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes, until slightly brown.
4. Divide the tomato mixture evenly over the baguette slices. Top the slices with mozzarella cheese.
5. Broil for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

So good. Yes it is. 

Notes: 1. Blend half of the sauce to make it smoother.
2. Add basil, oregano, and Italian seasoning.
3. If using turkey or other poultry, do not use bread crumbs!
Or simply add water or milk.

2. Italian Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/italian-spaghetti-sauce-with-meatballs/detail.aspx

This delicious meatball recipe, courtesy of Jeremy, is a classic Italian dish that is savory with deep flavor and a sure-fire favorite.
Prep: 20 min, Cook: 2 hrs, Ready in: 2hrs 20 min

Ingredients:
MEATBALLS
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 tablespoon dried parsley 
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg, beaten

SAUCE
3/4 cup chopped onion
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 bay leaf
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
3/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, garlic powder and beaten egg. Mix well and form into 12 balls. Store, covered, in refrigerator until needed.
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onion is translucent. Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar and bay leaf. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 90 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, basil, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and meatballs and simmer 30 minutes more. Serve.

So classy.

Notes: 1. Leave out flour
2. Flatten chicken breasts to
cook more evenly

3. Chicken Breasts with Balsamic Vinegar and Garlic

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-breasts-with-balsamic-vinegar-and-garlic/detail.aspx

In this dish, mushrooms and balsamic vinegar mix to create a fragrant, savory bath that revolutionizes the way you think about chicken. Cheers to colleenlora.

Prep: 5 min, Cook: 25 min, Ready in: 30 min

Ingredients:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

salt and pepper to taste

3/4 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons olive oil

6 cloves garlic

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

3/4 cup chicken broth

1 bay leaf

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Rinse the mushrooms and pat dry. Season the flour with salt and pepper and dredge the chicken breasts in the flour mixture. Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat and saute the chicken until it is nicely browned on one side (about 3 minutes).

Add the garlic. Turn the chicken breasts and scatter the mushrooms over them. Continue frying, shaking the skillet and stirring the mushrooms. Cook for about 3 minutes, then add the vinegar, broth, bay leaf and thyme. Cover tightly and simmer over medium low heat for 10 minutes, turning occasionally.

Transfer the chicken to a warm serving platter and cover with foil. Set aside. Continue simmering the sauce, uncovered, over medium high heat for about 7 minutes. Swirl in the butter or margarine and discard the bay leaf. Pour this mushroom sauce mixture over the chicken and serve. 

This dish made my night.

The only way to eat this is straight
out of the pan!

4. German Pancakes II

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/german-pancakes-ii/detail.aspx

My aunt used to make these when we visited her in Portland. Using only 5 ingredients, she would cook and serve these with warm apple pie filling. Eating these babies early in the overcast morning in Oregon was ballin'. Thanks for sharing, BRENNASPITZ. Also, that's quite the username. 

Prep: 5 min, Cook: 30 min, Ready in: 35 min

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup milk

6 eggs, lightly beaten

1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Melt butter in a medium baking dish.

In a medium bowl, mix flour, milk, eggs and salt. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Bake on center rack in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown.

The memories.

All of these recipes are perfect for a family dinner, practicing cooking techniques, or taking a break from school food and/or microwave meals. As a high schooler, I was into experimenting and trying new hobbies. Cooking these dishes was a fun experience, and these meals turned out perfectly. Comment below and share your favorite dishes to make or your own variations of the ones shared here!