Best recipes: Dishes you should be able to make by age 30

Step away from the noodle cups and store-bought stir-fry jars. You’re 30, which means you should probably have a decent repertoire of go-to recipes by now. Here are the top dishes you need to have up your sleeve.

Step away from the noodle cups and store-bought stir-fry jars! You’re 30, which means you should probably have a decent repertoire of go-to recipes by now. But don’t panic if spag bol is the only thing you know how to nail, because this list is made especially for you. How many of these recipes can you whip up without using a cookbook?

1. Eggs Benedict

Eggs Benedict is the king of breakfast! Eggs are a staple in many cuisines, so you should know how to cook with them effortlessly. It’s all about creating that golden yolk porn and smothering those perfectly poached eggs in creamy hollandaise Sauce. It’ll fast become your favourite weekend breakfast with the added bonus of not having to line up for hours at a cafe to order them! And for all those who struggle to poach an egg, here’s how to master it like a pro without using cling wrap!

Eggs Benedict is a weekend favourite.

How to poach an egg:

1. Firstly, pop the kettle on.

2. Add a decent splash of white vinegar to a heavy-based saucepan.

3. Pour your boiled water into the pot over a high heat and then bring the water back to a rapid boil.

4. Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium, and with a dessert spoon start swirling the water around until it creates a whirl pool.

5. Crack your egg into the centre of the pot from close range and watch it get whisked around. Cook for around 2 minutes for soft poached and 4 minutes for harder poached.

The classic roast chicken.

2. Roast Chicken

Like learning to walk and talk, knowing how to Roast Chicken is a very important step in life. Not only will you be named the king of carving at Christmas time, but you’ll be well-prepared for those cold winter nights and Sunday family lunches. J

5 simple tips to perfect roast chicken:

1. Season the chicken well inside and out. Be generous with the salt and pepper!

2. Smother the chook in butter and olive oil, and make sure to get in-between the layer of skin and the meat.

3. Use Vegemite as part of your baste as it’ll help crisp up the skin and give it that golden appearance. It’ll also give the chicken a greater depth of flavour.

4. Stuff the cavity with plenty of lemon, thyme, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic and fresh herbs.

5. Slow-cook your chicken until the juices from the leg run clear.

Pumpkin soup will put a smile on your dial.

3. Pumpkin Soup

Canned soup might be easy, but nothing compares to a homemade batch of comforting Pumpkin Soup made from scratch. The sweet aromas of onions, herbs and spices simmering on the stove are enough to put a smile on your dial.

Tips to pump up your pumpkin soup:

1. Butternut and Kent pumpkins are excellent choices.

2. Add some extra vegetables like leeks, potatoes, parsnips and ginger for earthiness.

3. Use chicken or vegetable stock rather than water for a more intense flavour.

4. For a caramelised flavour, roast your preferred vegies with some garlic in the oven first.

Chocolate cake is a family favourite.

4. Chocolate Cake

If you haven’t already, it’s time you learnt how to bake the Best Chocolate Cake ever or the Easiest Mud Cake! Not only is it a family favourite with its moist centre and dreamy icing, but you’ll be making it for years to come.

Handy cake baking tips:

1. Ensure all of your ingredients are at room temperature.

2. You can substitute milk for yoghurt, or sour cream if you’re feeling adventurous.

3. A pinch of salt brings out the flavours in baked sweets more.

Carbonara is a great mid-week dinner.

5. Creamy Pasta Carbonara

So you’ve already mastered Spaghetti and Meatballs, but does your pasta knowledge expand as far as Creamy Pasta Carbonara? This dish is rich and creamy, and jam-packed with flavour that makes the perfect midweek dinner for kids and adults alike.

The perfect pasta tips:

1. Salt the water before cooking pasta as this will prevent the pasta from sticking together.

2. Pour whisked egg yolks over the top of pasta once it’s cooked and has been taken off the heat to avoid scrambling.

3. Add parmesan cheese to the bowl and into the sauce before mixing the pasta through to get a creamier texture.

Sometimes all you need is a good burger.

6. Burgers

Sometimes, all you need is a Burger to satisfy your junk food cravings. So to save yourself a few calories and expand your cooking abilities, why not try making them yourself? They’re super easy and satisfying, and make a perfect Friday night meal.

Beef-up your burgers:

1. Choose a fattier beef for a juicier burger. The leaner the meat, the drier the patty.

2. Season the patty well with salt and pepper.

3. It’s all about the bun too, so choose a good one!

4. Melt the cheese over the patty in the pan for a better eating experience.

7. Choc Chip Cookies

Sure, buying a packet of biscuits from the supermarket is convenient, but baking your own Choc Chip Cookies can be very rewarding. Crunchy on the outside and fudgy in the centre, my goodness someone just get us a cuppa now!

The secrets to perfecting cookies:

1. Butter and eggs should be at room temperature.

2. White sugar provides crunch, brown sugar brings chewiness.

3. The addition of cornflour to your cookie dough will also help create a fudgy centre.

Baking choc-chip cookies is very rewarding.

8. Risotto

Don’t panic! Despite what TV says, Risotto is actually quite easy to make. The key to a delicious risotto is to keep it wet and pack it full of flavour using lots of fresh herbs and ingredients like mushrooms.

A little bit of extra risotto love:

1. If you’re not vegetarian or vegan, use chicken or beef stock as it has more flavour.

2. You’ll usually need more stock than what the recipe suggests, so heat up a little extra. Don’t add water as it’ll dilute the flavour.

3. Lump a big knob of butter on top of your risotto once it’s cooked, pop the lid on and let it sit for 5-10 minutes if you can wait that long! It’ll add creaminess to your risotto.

9. Steak

When you’re 21 a well-done steak is all there is, but fast forward 9 years and we hope you’ve learnt from your food mistakes! Whether it’s an eye fillet, scotch, ribeye, T-bone etc. your steak should be soft, spongy and most of all tender, not tough and chewy.

Pay attention to your beef:

1. Make sure your meat is at room temperature before cooking.

2. The pan should be sizzling hot before grilling.

3. While many say you should flip your steak once on each side, celebrity chef, Heston Blumenthal, reckons you should flip it every 10-15 seconds to prevent the meat from toughening up and becoming chewy. Hey, it’s science!

4. Rest it for at least 5 minutes before eating.

It’s time to get a signature curry dish.

10. Curry

Whether it’s chicken or beef, seafood or duck, vegetable or lamb, you should have a signature Curry dish by now. Oh, and that means no curry paste from a jar! Making curry paste from scratch adds so much more flavour to your dish. Make sure you serve it with some fluffy rice.

Back to basics curry:

1. Don’t hold back the spices; this is flavour!

2. Temper whole spices like cumin seeds, mustard seeds and cinnamon to release the flavours.

3. A pinch of bicarbonate soda will help lentils cook faster and more evenly.