How To Cook 10 Basic Meals On A Cook Stove

Homesteading is about self-sufficiency and embracing a simpler, more sustainable way of life. One of the fundamental aspects of homesteading is cooking meals from scratch using basic ingredients. A cook stove, a staple in any homestead, is a versatile tool that can help you create delicious and nutritious meals. In this article, we’ll explore 10 basic meals on a cook stove, providing step-by-step guidance for each dish.

Scrambled Eggs with Vegetables:

• • Ingredients:
    • Eggs
    • Bell peppers
    • Onions
    • Spinach
    • Salt and pepper
  • Instructions:
    1. Heat a skillet on the cook stove and add a little oil.
    2. Sauté chopped vegetables until tender.
    3. Beat eggs and pour them into the skillet.
    4. Cook, stirring gently until the eggs are set. Season with salt and pepper.

Vegetable Stir-Fry:

• • Ingredients:
    • Mixed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, snap peas)
    • Garlic
    • Soy sauce
    • Olive oil
    • Rice or noodles
  • Instructions:
    1. Heat a skillet or wok on the cook stove with oil.
    2. Sauté minced garlic and add the mixed vegetables.
    3. Stir-fry the vegetables until tender yet crisp.
    4. Add soy sauce and toss the vegetables. Serve over cooked rice or noodles.

Homemade Vegetable Soup:

• • Ingredients:
    • Assorted vegetables (carrots, potatoes, onions, celery)
    • Vegetable broth
    • Garlic
    • Salt and pepper
  • Instructions:
    1. Chop the vegetables and sauté with minced garlic in a pot on the cook stove.
    2. Add vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
    3. Reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
    4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Pasta Primavera:

• • Ingredients:
    • Pasta
    • Assorted vegetables (zucchini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes)
    • Olive oil
    • Parmesan cheese
  • Instructions:
    1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions on the cook stove.
    2. Sauté the vegetables in olive oil until tender.
    3. Toss the cooked pasta with the sautéed vegetables and top with Parmesan cheese.

Chili Con Carne:

• • Ingredients:
    • Ground beef
    • Kidney beans
    • Tomatoes
    • Chili powder
    • Onions
  • Instructions:
    1. Brown the ground beef with chopped onions in a pot on the cook stove.
    2. Add canned tomatoes, kidney beans, and chili powder.
    3. Simmer on low heat until flavors meld and the chili thickens.

Baked Chicken with Vegetables:

• • Ingredients:
    • Chicken pieces
    • Potatoes
    • Carrots
    • Olive oil
    • Herbs and spices (rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper)
  • Instructions:
    1. Season the chicken with herbs, spices, and a little olive oil.
    2. Place the chicken and chopped vegetables in a baking dish.
    3. Bake in the cook stove until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

Rice and Beans:

• • Ingredients:
    • Rice
    • Black beans
    • Onion
    • Garlic
    • Cumin
  • Instructions:
    1. Cook the rice according to package instructions on the cook stove.
    2. In a separate pot, sauté chopped onions and minced garlic.
    3. Add black beans and a pinch of cumin. Simmer until beans are heated through.
    4. Serve the beans over the cooked rice.

Homemade Pizza:

• • Ingredients:
    • Pizza dough
    • Tomato sauce
    • Cheese
    • Toppings (pepperoni, vegetables, olives)
  • Instructions:
    1. Roll out the pizza dough and spread tomato sauce over it.
    2. Add cheese and desired toppings.
    3. Bake in the cook stove until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.

Omelette with Cheese and Herbs:

• • Ingredients:
    • Eggs
    • Cheese
    • Fresh herbs (parsley, chives)
    • Salt and pepper
  • Instructions:
    1. Beat eggs and pour into a hot skillet on the cook stove.
    2. Add shredded cheese and chopped fresh herbs.
    3. Cook until the eggs are set. Fold in half and serve.

Vegetarian Quesadillas:

• Ingredients:
  • Tortillas
  • Cheese
  • Black beans
  • Salsa
  • Avocado
• Instructions:
  1. Place a tortilla on a hot skillet, sprinkle cheese, add black beans, and top with another tortilla.
  2. Cook until the cheese melts and tortillas are crispy.
  3. Serve with salsa and sliced avocado.

Stove Cooking Techniques

Cooking on a cook stove, whether it’s a traditional wood-burning stove, a gas stove, or an electric stove, involves various techniques to achieve the desired results for different dishes. Here are some fundamental cooking techniques and tips for cooking on a stove:

Sautéing:

• • Use a medium to high heat setting and a small amount of oil or butter in a pan.
  • Quickly cook small, chopped ingredients like vegetables, meat, or seafood by tossing them in the pan.

Boiling:

• • Use high heat to bring a liquid (usually water) to a boil.
  • Commonly used for pasta, rice, potatoes, and vegetables.
  • Reduce to a simmer once boiling to maintain a gentle boil.

Simmering:

• • Use low to medium heat to keep a liquid at a low, gentle boil.
  • Ideal for slowly cooking soups, stews, sauces, and braised dishes.

Frying:

• • Use medium to high heat and enough oil to submerge or partially cover the food.
  • Common types include shallow frying (partially submerging food) and deep frying (fully submerging food).

Steaming:

• • Use a steamer basket or a covered pot with a small amount of water.
  • Place food above the boiling water and cover to cook with steam.
  • Ideal for vegetables, dumplings, and fish.

Grilling or Pan-Grilling:

• • Use high heat on a stovetop grill pan or an outdoor grill.
  • Cook meat, poultry, fish, vegetables, or even fruit on the grates.

Stir-Frying:

• • Use high heat and a small amount of oil in a wok or deep skillet.
  • Quickly cook small, chopped ingredients while constantly stirring.

Baking:

• • Use an oven, often for baking bread, cakes, cookies, and casseroles.
  • Follow a specific recipe, adjusting temperature and time accordingly.

Roasting:

• • Use an oven at a higher temperature to cook food, often meats and vegetables.
  • Results in a crispy exterior and tender interior.

Broiling:

• • Use the oven’s broiler setting, where intense heat cooks food from above.
  • Ideal for quickly browning the top of casseroles, meats, or vegetables.

Poaching:

• • Use a low heat setting to gently cook food in simmering liquid (often water or broth).
  • Commonly used for eggs, fish, and poultry.

Blanching:

• • Boil food briefly, then rapidly cool in ice water to stop the cooking process.
  • Often used for vegetables to preserve color, texture, and flavor.

Braising:

• • Brown the food in a pan, then slowly cook it in a covered pot with a small amount of liquid.
  • Common for tougher cuts of meat and results in tender, flavorful dishes.

Reduction:

• • Simmer a liquid like broth, wine, or sauce to reduce its volume, intensifying flavors.

Each of these techniques can be adapted based on the type of stove you have and the specific dish you’re preparing. Experimenting and gaining experience with these techniques will help you become a more versatile and skilled cook.

Conclusion:

With a trusty cook stove and these simple yet delicious recipes, you can easily prepare nutritious meals from scratch on your homestead. Embrace the joy of cooking with fresh, wholesome ingredients, and savor the satisfaction of a hearty meal made right at home. Happy cooking and homesteading!

Originally posted 2023-09-19 17:20:27.