Basically Speaking

Basics don’t have to mean boring. Start by trying vegetables that you remember loathing as a kid or the ones they you’ve never tried just because you never learned how to cook them. Why? Because your mother probably prepared them incorrectly. There are libraries of books, magazine and (ahem) websites devoted to teaching you how to cook so these dishes actually do taste good.

The best way is to hit the produce section first and fill your cart with interesting items that you sometimes overlook. Try simple substitutes at first, like pre-cut broccoli florets and pre-washed spinach greens instead of relying on their frozen cousins. Once you get used to the change, you may embrace whole carrots, braising greens and even beets! Here’s a recipe to get you started. You can use whole cloves or pre-peeled garlic to save time. Either way, this simple riff on simmered chicken may change your thoughts on those boring old basic ingredients.