Cooking School 101

Y’all know I am all for making big meals for my family and loved ones, and I’m certainly not afraid of a challenge; but I wouldn’t be the cook that I am if I hadn’t first learned some simple, no-fail recipes. After all, you have to walk before you can run, right?

Today, I’m going to share with y’all five basic recipes that every good cook should have in their back pockets, and I mean basic, y’all! I’m talkin’ scrambled eggs, pie crusts, and more. They might not be the all that fancy, but when you make them—boy, you’re sure to be a hit!

The Lady’s Perfect Scrambled Eggs

Everyone loves scrambled eggs, but not everyone can make that perfectly light and fluffy dish that will have people howlin’ for more. How you cook them is important, but the real trick here is one special ingredient—sour cream!

Biscuits

Biscuits are the kind of side dish that is perfect in the morning with a little sausage gravy or in the evening paired with fried chicken and greens. All good cooks should have a delicious biscuit recipe handy, and if y’all haven’t found that perfect one, I have just the recipe for you!

Chicken on the Grill

When in doubt, grilled chicken is always a safe bet, whether you’re cooking for your family or a havin’ a big ole party. The most important thing when grilling chicken is placement on the grill. Place bigger, fattier pieces in the center and smaller, leaner pieces out towards the edges. It’s the best way to ensure every piece is done at the same time, which prevents you from overcooking some pieces and undercooking others.

Caramelized Onions

Whether you’re cookin’ juicy tenderloin or a savory chicken breast, caramelized onions can really add texture and flavor. Caramelized onions may sound tricky, but they’re easy as pie and can make a world of difference in your cooking!

Paula’s Perfect Pie Crust

Speaking of “easy as pie,” a pie crust is incredibly simple to make, and a made-from-scratch pie crust takes your baking to the next level. The key is not to work too hard—really! Overworking your dough can change the consistency.

Paula Deen - As a young girl growing up in Albany, Georgia, Paula Deen never dreamed she would become an American icon. As a young mother, Paula was living the American dream — married to her high school sweetheart and raising two adorable boys — when tragedy struck. Her parents died, her marriage failed and she began a prolonged battle with agoraphobia. With her boys in their teens and her family near homelessness, Paula took her last $200, reached deep inside her soul and started The Bag Lady, a home-based catering company that marked the start of Deen's professional cooking career. With sons Jamie and Bobby delivering lunch-and-love-in-a-bag, beginning in June 1989, Paula turned her life around by sharing what she knew best, traditional Southern cooking.