Don’t Let These 19 Simple Strategies Become Lost Kitchen Lore

Some kitchen tricks are so useful that they deserve to be passed down through generations. But in today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget those simple strategies that make cooking easier and more enjoyable. These 19 time-tested tips are like little culinary gems that can transform your everyday cooking. Keep these strategies in your back pocket, and watch how they upgrade your cooking game.

Three pieces of chicken smothered in a creamy, orange-hued sauce topped with chopped herbs, served on a white rectangular plate.
Chicken Paprikash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Air Fryer chicken cordon bleu on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Rediscover a classic with Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu, a dish that brings elegance with a modern twist. This recipe is perfect for those looking to enjoy a traditional favorite without the fuss of classic methods. It’s an ideal choice for a dinner that feels both gourmet and practical. Serve this when you want to impress guests with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

A grilled steak with cowboy butter on a white plate.
Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Upgrade your grilling game with Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter. This recipe ensures a flavorful experience that enhances any barbecue or family dinner. It’s perfect for anyone looking to add a little flair to their grilled meats. Enjoy a restaurant-quality steak in the comfort of your backyard.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steaks with Cowboy Butter

Cuban Sandwich Casserole

A piece of Cuban sandwich casserole on a plate with potato chips.
Cuban Sandwich Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Cuban Sandwich Casserole transforms a beloved street food into a family-style dish perfect for sharing. This recipe brings the vibrant flavors of a classic Cuban sandwich in an easy-to-serve format. It’s a wonderful way to bring a touch of Havana to your dinner table. Gather around for a meal that promises to be as fun as it is flavorful.
Get the Recipe: Cuban Sandwich Casserole

Ground Beef Fried Rice

Ground Beef Fried Rice. Photo credit: Dinner By Six.
Ground Beef Fried Rice. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Introduce Ground Beef Fried Rice to your weeknight rotation for a quick and easy meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor. This dish combines simplicity with a hearty touch, making it a go-to for busy evenings. It’s versatile and can be adapted to whatever you have on hand. Perfect for a last-minute dinner that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Ground Beef Fried Rice

Leftover Steak Quesadilla

A hand holding wedges of a quesadilla.
Leftover Steak Quesadilla. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Turn yesterday’s dinner into today’s treat with Leftover Steak Quesadilla. This recipe is a fantastic way to repurpose leftovers into something exciting and new. It’s perfect for a casual lunch or a quick dinner solution. Enjoy a satisfying meal without the need for extensive preparation.
Get the Recipe: Leftover Steak Quesadilla

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Shrimp skewers on a white plate with lemon wedges.
Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp offers a light and flavorful option that’s quick to prepare and packed with flavor. This dish is ideal for a healthy dinner that doesn’t require much time in the kitchen. It’s a great way to bring the taste of the Mediterranean to your table. Serve this when you want a meal that’s both quick and refreshing.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Grilled Shrimp

Chinese Chicken Salad

A bowl of Chinese chicken salad with shredded chicken, snap peas, carrots, and peppers, accompanied by a bottle of dressing on the side.
Chinese Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Revitalize your salad game with Chinese Chicken Salad, a recipe that combines crunch and flavor in a light yet fulfilling dish. This salad is perfect for those who want something different from their usual greens. It’s great for a quick lunch or as part of a healthy dinner. Enjoy a vibrant and refreshing meal any day of the week.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Chicken Salad

Diner Style Salisbury Steak

A white plate with Salisbury steak topped with mushroom gravy on mashed potatoes, accompanied by a side of green peas.
Diner Style Salisbury Steak. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Many diners are famous for comfort dishes, and Diner Style Salisbury Steak is often a favorite on the menu. This dish is a homage to home-style cooking and offers a rich, hearty meal without the fuss of intricate preparations. It’s often enjoyed as a weeknight dinner when you’re looking for something familiar and straightforward.
Get the Recipe: Diner Style Salisbury Steak

Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce

A bowl of pasta with cherry tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, and garlic.
Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

There’s nothing like a quick meal that feels like a treat at the end of a long day, and Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce fits that bill perfectly. It features a light, garden-fresh sauce over pasta. This dish brings a hint of summer to your table at any time of the year. It’s a perfect example of how simple ingredients can come together to make a memorable meal.
Get the Recipe: Pasta with Fresh Cherry Tomato Sauce

Chicken Piccata

Two chicken piccata on a white plate with parsley and lemon wedges.
Chicken Piccata. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

For those who enjoy a dish that brings a bit of flair to the dinner table without requiring complex techniques, Chicken Piccata is a go-to. This dish is appreciated for its light and refreshing qualities. It works well for an elegant dinner or a casual family meal, showing versatility. Often paired with a light side, it promises a meal that won’t leave you feeling overloaded.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Piccata

Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries

A plate of cottage cheese toast with blueberries, next to a honey dipper.
Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Starting the day with a quick, nutritious option can often be a challenge, but Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries offers a solution. This breakfast dish pairs well with a morning coffee or a glass of juice, making it ideal for busy mornings. It combines the mild, creamy texture of cottage cheese with the fresh burst of blueberries on toast.
Get the Recipe: Cottage Cheese Toast with Blueberries

Brisket Fried Rice

Brisket fried rice in black serving dish on white background.
Brisket Fried Rice. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Transforming leftovers into a vibrant new dish is a smart kitchen strategy, and Brisket Fried Rice excels at this. It’s a creative way to use leftover brisket, blending it with rice and a mix of flavors that rejuvenate the palate. This dish demonstrates how traditional ingredients can be repurposed into something unexpected and enjoyable.
Get the Recipe: Brisket Fried Rice

Korean Galbi Ribs

Two Korean galbi ribs on a black slate plate with red chopsticks placed beside them.
Korean Galbi Ribs. Photo credit: Grill What You Love.

When it comes to grilling, Korean Galbi Ribs are often the highlight of the menu. This dish is known for its robust flavors and is a staple at many festive gatherings. It’s also a popular choice for a family barbecue or a special weekend meal. Serving this can bring a sense of occasion to an ordinary day, making any meal feel like a celebration.
Get the Recipe: Korean Galbi Ribs

Asparagus & Ricotta Quiche

Asparagus & Ricotta Quiche served on a pie dish.
Asparagus & Ricotta Quiche. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Asparagus & Ricotta Quiche is a testament to the versatility of eggs and seasonal vegetables. It serves as a fantastic option for brunch or a light dinner, combining the subtle flavors of asparagus with the creamy texture of ricotta. This dish can be a centerpiece at gatherings or a simple family meal. It highlights how well simple, fresh ingredients can work together.
Get the Recipe: Asparagus & Ricotta Quiche

Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches

Greek Meatball Pita Sandwich served on a white rectangular plate.
Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

Culinary secrets passed through generations shouldn’t be forgotten, and this dish is a testament to that. Find comfort in the handheld delight of Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches. They embody a timeless technique wrapped up in a flavorful package. It’s an ode to the classic way of sandwich-making that deserves to remain a kitchen staple.
Get the Recipe: Greek Meatball Pita Sandwiches

Turkey à la King

A plate with a Turkey à la King and salad on it.
Turkey à la King. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Comfort on a plate often looks like a dish with history, just like Turkey à la King. In revisiting this classic, you keep the magic of homestyle cooking alive. It’s a nod to the old-school approach where simplicity shines and flavors comfort. Let’s not overlook the dishes that have warmed hearts for decades; they’re classics for a reason.
Get the Recipe: Turkey à la King

Mexican Slow Roasted Chicken

Mexican Slow Roasted Chicken served on a white plate.
Mexican Slow Roasted Chicken. Photo credit: Dinner by Six.

In the spirit of keeping traditions vibrant, Mexican Slow Roasted Chicken holds the flag high. This dish embodies the celebration of time-honored cooking techniques where low and slow is the secret. It’s a method that enriches the meal and gathers everyone around the table. By keeping this practice in our repertoire, we honor the kitchens of the past.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Slow Roasted Chicken

Beefy John Wayne Casserole

A slice of beefy John Wayne casserole on a plate.
Beefy John Wayne Casserole. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

The culinary wisdom of our ancestors is alive in homely comfort dishes. Beefy John Wayne Casserole speaks to the heart of this sentiment. It’s a robust, feel-good meal that spans generations. Keeping such staples in rotation is our tribute to the efforts of those who cooked before us, ensuring their knowledge lives on.
Get the Recipe: Beefy John Wayne Casserole

Chicken Paprikash

Three pieces of chicken smothered in a creamy, orange-hued sauce topped with chopped herbs, served on a white rectangular plate.
Chicken Paprikash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

There’s an art to classic dishes that bring warmth and nostalgia to every spoonful, with Chicken Paprikash encapsulating just that. This dish is a beloved holdover from a simpler time when cooking was about connecting with our roots. It’s a classic that showcases the importance of preserving tried-and-true kitchen traditions. In every bite, we keep the culinary tales of yesteryear alive.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash

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