Do You Know These Three Simple and Affordable Meals That Always Turn Out Great?

We often believe that food that tastes like it comes from a restaurant needs fancy ingredients or a lot of time to prepare.
But in reality, the best dishes are usually those that use simple methods and good quality basics.

Whether you're longing for Asian street food, Italian comfort, or a classic dessert, you don't have to spend a lot of money to cook something impressive.
Here are three recipes that are easy to make, quick to prepare, and incredibly tasty.

The Ultimate Asian Chicken & Broccoli Stir-Fry

The key to a great stir-fry is having all your ingredients ready before you turn on the heat.

• The Prep: Soak rice noodles in hot water for 12 to 15 minutes until they are soft.
  Butterfly your chicken breast—slice it thinly, then use a rolling pin to flatten it for even, crisp cooking.

• The Technique: Heat your wok or frying pan until it's very hot and add a little olive oil.
  Sear the chicken, then add thinly sliced garlic and raw broccoli for a nice crunch.

• The Finish: Pour in soy sauce to add flavor and color.
  Clean the pan, add a bit more oil, and scramble two eggs before tossing everything back in—noodles, chicken, and broccoli—to mix everything together.Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

Homemade Ricotta Gnocchi with Peas and Thyme

Using leftover boiled or baked potatoes makes making gnocchi much easier and gives it a light, fluffy texture.

• The Dough: Grate the potatoes (this makes them lighter than mashing) and mix with ricotta, salt, pepper, flour, one egg, and fresh thyme flowers.
  Don’t work the dough too much—keep it soft and pliable.

• The Shape: Roll the dough into long "cigar" shapes, cut them into small pieces, and press them with your finger to give them a pillowy texture.

• The Cook: Boil until they float, then transfer them to a hot pan with olive oil to create a crispy, sautéed exterior.
  Add fresh garden peas, a bit of butter, lemon zest, and finish with some grated parmesan.

The "No-Base" New York Cheesecake

Forget about complicated crusts.
This New York-style cheesecake focuses on the rich, creamy filling.

• The Mix: Cream soft cream cheese and sugar together until smooth, then add the eggs one at a time to prevent the mixture from separating.
  A little flour can help avoid lumps.

• The Flavor: Stir in some lemon zest for a fresh taste and add fresh raspberries for a tangy twist.

• The Bake: Grease your tin, pour the mixture in, and tap the tin firmly on the counter to remove air pockets and help the raspberries spread out evenly.
  Bake at 180°C for 35 to 40 minutes until it has a slight soufflé-like rise.

Which one of these are you going to try this weekend?
Food is meant to impress, but that doesn't mean it has to be complicated.Stick to the basics, keep your knife sharp, and feel free to experiment with your favorite herbs!

Happy cooking!