by The Epicurious Editors, Epicurious
PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE
Some people make New Year's resolutions to start running five miles a day. Some folks vow to never touch another pepperoni-covered French bread pizza. But if you're anything like we are, your 2016 bucket list is all about the cooking skills you want to add to your arsenal. No training for an Ironman here. Just 38 ways to cook better this year.
1. YOU'LL FINALLY MASTER SOUP.
Basic soup. Soup made from whatever veg you have in the fridge. And those sad vegetables in the crisper drawer will be a thing of the past.
2. AND BREAK OUT OF YOUR STIR-FRY RUT.
Because shaving, smashing, and pickling your vegetables is way more fun.
3. COOKING SEAFOOD WILL BECOME NBD.
All you need is a piece of paper.
PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE
4. BREAD-BAKING WILL STOP BEING SOMETHING ONLY OTHER PEOPLE DO.
And it all starts with the easiest, most useful beer-batter bread. Yes, you can make bread from beer.
PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE
5. YOU'RE GOING TO KEEP YOUR KNIVES SHARP.
First step: Knowing when they're dull. Just finely chop a bunch of parsley. If the bits stick together and look mushy and dark, it's time to tune up your knives.
6. SECOND STEP: SHARPENING THOSE PUPPIES.
7. THIRD STEP: STORING THEM RIGHT.
8. NOT IN LOVE WITH YOUR KNIFE?
No worries. You'll buy a better one.
9. YOU'LL DO A GUIDED DEEP DIVE INTO ANOTHER COUNTRY'S CUISINE.
Which one will it be? Take your pick right here.
Good things are sprouting here.
PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE
10. YOUR THUMB WILL FINALLY TURN GREEN.
All it takes is great-tasting, fast-growing sprouts.
11. THE SOUND OF SIZZLING BURGERS WILL BE HEARD IN YOUR KITCHEN.
Because the thrill of the shamelessly accessorized, over-the-top bistro burger will not be denied. Burgers will hit the dinner table a whole lot more often this year, because you'll cook them indoors.
12. THE MORNING SCRAMBLE TO MAKE BREAKFAST WILL FINALLY STOP.
Because you'll prep easy, healthy breakfasts ahead of time.
PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE
13. AND WHEN YOU HAVE TIME ON THE WEEKENDS, YOU'LL WHIP UP THE PERFECT OMELETTE.
It's way easier than French chefs would have you believe.
14. YOU'LL FINALLY STOP OVERCOOKING YOUR PORK.
Once you find out that the USDA's advice on doneness ain't all it's cracked up to be.
15. YOUR FREEZER WILL HARBOR FROZEN CHICKEN BROTH FOR RISOTTOS, SOUPS, AND STEWS.
Without anyone making a big deal out of it.
16. ROASTED FRUIT WILL BECOME YOUR NEW GO-TO.
Because it's the easiest way to make "meh" fruit taste shockingly good. Just toss peeled wedges in a small baking dish with a splash of water, a couple spoonfuls of sugar, and a dash of your favorite spice. Cover and bake until fragrant and tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Then let cool and eat over everything: Yogurt, ice cream, oatmeal--even seared pork chops.
PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE
17. DEGLAZING WILL BECOME A THING IN YOUR HOUSE.
You don't even need wine to do it.
18. THEN, BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, PAN SAUCE WILL BECOME SECOND NATURE.
And meat will become magical.
19. YOU'LL BECOME ONE OF THOSE HIGH-PERFORMING PEOPLE WHO CAN THROW A DINNER PARTY.
On a weeknight, even.
20. YOU MIGHT EVEN FIND YOURSELF BARBECUING INDOORS.
Without a grill, natch.
21. YOU'LL BECOME MASTER OF YOUR CONDIMENT DOMAIN.
Honestly, that's just an amusing way of saying that you'll learn how to make a house ketchup. Or chili oil. Or barbecue sauce. And share it with all your friends. Or keep the secret to yourself.
Your windowsill in 2016?
PHOTO BY PEDEN + MUNK
22. THAT KITCHEN HERB GARDEN WILL ACTUALLY SURVIVE UNTIL NEXT WINTER.
No more sad plants.
23. DEEP-FRYING WILL STOP BEING SCARY.
Doughnuts, anyone?
Basically, if you can boil milk, you can make ricotta.
PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE
24. YOU'LL NEVER BUY RICOTTA AGAIN.
Once you find out how easy it is to make at home.
25. SCORCHED RICE? CRUNCHY RICE? NOT YOU.
There's one foolproof method. And we've got it right here.
One pan, one love.
PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE
26. SHEET PANS WILL BE YOUR NEW DINNERTIME SOLUTION.
With recipes this easy, there's never a reason not to make dinner.
27. YOU'LL BECOME A LEGEND IN YOUR OWN TIME.
All because of your chocolate chip cookies.
28. YOU'LL MAKE YOUR OWN HUMMUS.
29. AND YOUR OWN PITA.
30. YOU'LL SCOPE OUT NEW PARTS OF VEGETABLES TO EAT.
No more tossing those delicious broccoli stems.
PHOTO BY ROMULO YANES
31. CRUNCHY POTATOES WILL BE FOUND IN YOUR KITCHEN.
Without firing up the deep-fat fryer.
32. YOU'LL EAT WAY MORE ICE CREAM.
It's basically a given once you find out you can do it with three ingredients and a loaf pan.
33. OR JUST MORE FRUIT.
As long as you turn it into crumble. Because you can eat it for breakfast (with yogurt) or dessert (with plenty of #32).
PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE
34. YOU'LL QUIT PAYING FOR GRANOLA.
And make a batch that's absolutely, positively just how you like it.
Meat sauce deserves to be a fixture in your freezer.
PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE
35. YOU'LL VOW TO EAT MORE PASTA.
It's an easy promise to keep when you realize that you can make meat sauce in 15 minutes.
36. AND MAKE THAT PASTA TASTE RESTAURANT-CALIBER.
All it takes is a few simple tricks. (And a critical finishing touch.)
37. YOU'LL MASTER THE MARTINI....
And feel like James Bond without the uptight tux.
PHOTO BY CHELSEA KYLE
38. ...JUST AS LONG AS YOU BALANCE IT ALL OUT WITH SOME WATER.
Surprisingly delicious water, that is.
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