~ Keep this recipe in your back pocket for when you want an amazing rice side dish, but don't have oodles of time. Combine this with the magical powers of your Instant Pot and you'll be done plenty of time for dinner. In this video, we'll learn how to: ~ cook rice in a flash ~ sweat aromatics in oil ~ use a cold pan to your advantage ~ fluff rice like a pro Ingredients: ~ 6 cups cooked white rice (jasmine or basmati will work great) ~ 3 tbsp refined coconut oil or other neutral oil ~ 1 small onion, diced ~ 3 hot peppers, sliced or diced ~ 2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced ~ 2 tbsp fresh garlic, minced ~ 1/4 cup soy sauce (or more to taste) ~ 2 tsp plain rice wine vinegar ~ 1 tbsp sesame seeds Procedure: 1. Cook rice according to package directions. Set aside. 2. Add oil to a cool skillet. Add onion, turn on heat to medium, and sauté until translucent, 2-3 minutes while constantly stirring. 3. Add peppers and sauté for 2 minutes while constantly stirring. 4. Add ginger and sauté for 1 minute while constantly stirring. 5. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute while constantly stirring. 6. Add contents of skillet to rice and fluff to mix with a fork. 7. Add soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame seeds and fluff again with fork. to mix. 8. Adjust soy sauce to taste. About Us: I'm Jenna, and I'm the Founder and Executive Director of Uncomplicated Kitchen, a 501c3 nonprofit cooking school based in the mountains of Western NC. We're brand new to the online cooking realm, but given the current need for social distancing, we're trying to foster culinary fellowship on the web. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the food people have access to and the tools and knowledge they have to prepare delicious and healthy meals at home. We include everyone regardless of age, experience, skill, or circumstance and believe that cooking isn't just about pricey ingredients, expensive gadgets, or fancy dishes. Uncomplicated Kitchen is all about: ~ planning meals mindfully ~ purchasing appropriate ingredients, sourcing locally when available ~ transforming inexpensive and simple ingredients into tasty dishes ~ using multipurpose kitchen tools that are simple to use ~ reducing or eliminating household food waste ~ preparing make-ahead meals Our ultimate goal is to give people a sense of confidence, peace, and joy in the kitchen. I hope you'll cook with us. To learn more about us, please visit UncomplicatedKitchen.org. If you like what you see and are enjoying our videos, please consider making a donation to support our organization at https://www.uncomplicatedkitchen.org/

It's warming up outside and fresh spring veggies are everywhere. Let's highlight the bounty of the season and with these super refreshing and delicious lettuce wraps! In this video, we'll learn how to: ~ cook perfectly tender marinated chicken (and discuss vegetarian options, too) ~ prep the perfect veggies ~ make sweet and crunchy sesame pickles ~ create a sweet and spicy peanut sauce Ingredients: Ginger Soy Marinade: ~ 1 cup soy sauce or tamari ~ 1/4 cup neutral oil ~ 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar ~ 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced ~ 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced ~ 1 tbsp honey or agave Quick Sesame Pickles: ~ 1 lb Persian cucumbers (or any small seeded variety), thinly sliced ~ 3 scallions, cut thinly in rings ~ 1 medium carrot, julienned or cut into thin coins ~ 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar ~ 2 tsp neutral oil ~ 1/4 tsp chili flakes ~ 1 tsp soy sauce or tamari ~ 1 tsp honey or agave ~ 2 tsp sesame seeds Spicy Peanut Sauce: ~ 1 cup peanut butter ~ 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari ~ 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar ~ 1 tbsp sriracha sauce ~ 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced ~ 1 tbsp honey or agave ~ water to thin About Us: I'm Jenna, and I'm the Founder and Executive Director of Uncomplicated Kitchen, a 501c3 nonprofit cooking school based in the mountains of Western NC. We're brand new to the online cooking realm, but given the current need for social distancing, we're trying to foster culinary fellowship on the web. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the food people have access to and the tools and knowledge they have to prepare delicious and healthy meals at home. We include everyone regardless of age, experience, skill, or circumstance and believe that cooking isn't just about pricey ingredients, expensive gadgets, or fancy dishes. Uncomplicated Kitchen is all about: ~ planning meals mindfully ~ purchasing appropriate ingredients, sourcing locally when available ~ transforming inexpensive and simple ingredients into tasty dishes ~ using multipurpose kitchen tools that are simple to use ~ reducing or eliminating household food waste ~ preparing make-ahead meals Our ultimate goal is to give people a sense of confidence, peace, and joy in the kitchen. I hope you'll cook with us. To learn more about us, please visit UncomplicatedKitchen.org. If you like what you see and are enjoying our videos, please consider making a donation to support our organization at https://www.uncomplicatedkitchen.org/

Our Lettuce Wrap video mysteriously cut off five minutes before the end, so here's the finale! Included in this video is the super pro assembly of the lettuce wrap, the entertaining eating technique, and some other fun tips and tricks for your garnishes. I also use a knife way too big for the job. So, yay! Happy watching!

I love nothing more than a slow cooked soup. I really do. But you know what? I also love having a nutritious dinner on the table in less than ten minutes! Look here, you can do it, too! Ingredients: ~ 2 tbsp olive oil ~ 2-3 tsp chili powder or taco seasoning ~ (3) 15 oz cans of black beans ~ (1) 15 oz can diced tomatoes (best to use the ones with green chiles or the seasoned chili-style tomatoes) ~ salt and pepper to taste ~ water to thin to desired thickness ~ salt and pepper to taste NOTE: honestly, you can add whatever other ingredients you want to this, but this is the minimum you need to make it taste chili-like...and we're working only from the pantry, so we're using what we've got! Procedure: 1. In a microwave-safe bowl, add olive oil and chili powder or taco seasoning and stir. 2. Microwave for 15-20 seconds or until spices become fragrant. 3. Add the canned beans and tomatoes with liquid. Stir. 4. Microwave for three minutes total, in one minute intervals, stirring in between. 5. With a spoon or the back of a fork, mash the beans to get to the desired consistency. The more you mash, the thicker the soup will be. (If you have an immersion blender, now is a great time to use it! Just be careful not to splatter hot soup on yourself.) 6. If the soup is too thick, add a little bit of water at a time until it's at the thickness you prefer. 7. Microwave at one-minute intervals until it's nice and comfortably hot. SERVING NOTE: Eat just as is or serve with crushed tortilla chips, green onion, shredded cheese, hot sauce, or anything else you like! About Us: I'm Jenna, and I'm the Founder and Executive Director of Uncomplicated Kitchen, a 501c3 nonprofit cooking school based in the mountains of Western NC. We're brand new to the online cooking realm, but given the current need for social distancing, we're trying to foster culinary fellowship on the web. Cooking truly is love. We include everyone regardless of age, experience, skill, or circumstance and believe that cooking isn't just about pricey ingredients, expensive gadgets, or fancy dishes. It's about making delicious, healthy food within the constraints of our busy, everyday lives. Uncomplicated Kitchen is all about: ~ planning meals mindfully ~ purchasing appropriate ingredients, sourcing locally when available ~ transforming inexpensive and simple ingredients into tasty dishes ~ using multipurpose kitchen tools that are simple to use ~ reducing or eliminating household food waste ~ preparing make-ahead meals Our ultimate goal is to give people a sense of confidence, peace, and joy in the kitchen. I hope you'll cook with us. To learn more about us, please visit UncomplicatedKitchen.org. If you like what you see and are enjoying our videos, please consider making a donation to support our organization at https://www.uncomplicatedkitchen.org/donate Thank you for watching!

Remember when salad bars were a thing and there was that bean salad that your mom probably loved? And now that you're an adult you probably like it, too? Well here it is! This recipe is more like a "recipe" because it's so easy, but it's so yummy, it's worth putting up here in our no-cook recipe collection! Ingredients: ~ 1 can garbanzo beans ~ 1 can kidney beans ~ 1/4 cup of your favorite Italian vinaigrette dressing ~ salt and pepper to taste ~ a pinch of sugar if you want that sweet and sour thing happening (if you read this recipe, YAY, you got the bonus info! I did't mention the sugar in the video, but totally should have.) Procedure: 1. Add all ingredients in a bowl. 2. Mix well. 3. For best flavor, chill for at least an hour before eating. (I won't blame you if you can't wait that long.) About Us: I'm Jenna, and I'm the Founder and Executive Director of Uncomplicated Kitchen, a 501c3 nonprofit cooking school based in the mountains of Western NC. We're brand new to the online cooking realm, but given the current need for social distancing, we're trying to foster culinary fellowship on the web. Cooking truly is love. We include everyone regardless of age, experience, skill, or circumstance and believe that cooking isn't just about pricey ingredients, expensive gadgets, or fancy dishes. It's about making delicious, healthy food within the constraints of our busy, everyday lives. Uncomplicated Kitchen is all about: ~ planning meals mindfully ~ purchasing appropriate ingredients, sourcing locally when available ~ transforming inexpensive and simple ingredients into tasty dishes ~ using multipurpose kitchen tools that are simple to use ~ reducing or eliminating household food waste ~ preparing make-ahead meals Our ultimate goal is to give people a sense of confidence, peace, and joy in the kitchen. I hope you'll cook with us. To learn more about us, please visit UncomplicatedKitchen.org. If you like what you see and are enjoying our videos, please consider making a donation to support our organization at https://www.uncomplicatedkitchen.org/donate Thank you for watching!

What's better than making a super tasty veggie chili in six minutes? Almost nothing, but I wanted to ask. Dust off those cans of beans, grab that can opener, and put your microwave to work! Ingredients: ~ 15 oz can of kidney, pinto, or black beans ~ 1 can diced tomatoes (best to use the ones with green chiles or the seasoned chili-style tomatoes) ~ 2 tsp chili powder or taco seasoning ~ salt and pepper to taste NOTE: honestly, you can add whatever other ingredients you want to this, but this is the minimum you need to make it taste chili-like...and we're working only from the pantry, so we're using what we've got! Procedure: 1. Add all ingredients to a microwave-safe bowl. 2. Mix well. 3. Microwave at one minute intervals, stirring after each minute, until hot. 4. Eat just as is or serve over cooked rice, a microwave-baked potato, or top with crushed tortilla chips or the brand of corn chips I will not mention. :) About Us: I'm Jenna, and I'm the Founder and Executive Director of Uncomplicated Kitchen, a 501c3 nonprofit cooking school based in the mountains of Western NC. We're brand new to the online cooking realm, but given the current need for social distancing, we're trying to foster culinary fellowship on the web. Cooking truly is love. We include everyone regardless of age, experience, skill, or circumstance and believe that cooking isn't just about pricey ingredients, expensive gadgets, or fancy dishes. It's about making delicious, healthy food within the constraints of our busy, everyday lives. Uncomplicated Kitchen is all about: ~ planning meals mindfully ~ purchasing appropriate ingredients, sourcing locally when available ~ transforming inexpensive and simple ingredients into tasty dishes ~ using multipurpose kitchen tools that are simple to use ~ reducing or eliminating household food waste ~ preparing make-ahead meals Our ultimate goal is to give people a sense of confidence, peace, and joy in the kitchen. I hope you'll cook with us. To learn more about us, please visit UncomplicatedKitchen.org. If you like what you see and are enjoying our videos, please consider making a donation to support our organization at https://www.uncomplicatedkitchen.org/donate Thank you for watching!

Friends, it's time for another pantry raid! Besides being delicious, the most fabulous thing about this recipe is that it's super easy to adapt to what you've got on hand. In this video, I'll show you how to make crispy, delicious, and nutritious bean cakes plus two super easy (and just a little fancy) sauces to grace your cakes with! Also, please forgive any small goofs in the video as I'm getting these videos up as quickly as I can. Our nonprofit mission has quickly shifted from in-person cooking classes to online videos in light of social distancing, and I'm learning as I go. :) Bean Cake Ingredients: - 1 cup diced bell pepper - 1 cup diced onion - 4 cups cooked black eyed peas, divided into 3 cups and 1 cup portions - oil for sautéing veggies and searing bean cakes - 1 tsp granulated garlic - 1/2 tsp black pepper - 1 1/2 tsp paprika - 1 tsp salt + a pinch for sautéing veggies - 1 tbsp flour  - 1 egg -1 cup breadcrumbs + more for coating Sauce and Garnish Ingredients: - 1/4 cup mayo for each sauce - either 1 tsp hot sauce or 1/2 tsp curry powder + 1/2 tsp ground turmeric - diced bell pepper - fresh herbs About Us: I'm Jenna, and I'm the Founder and Executive Director of Uncomplicated Kitchen, a 501c3 nonprofit cooking school based in the mountains of Western NC. We're brand new to the online cooking realm, but given the current need for social distancing, we're trying to foster culinary fellowship on the web. Cooking truly is love. We include everyone regardless of age, experience, skill, or circumstance and believe that cooking isn't just about pricey ingredients, expensive gadgets, or fancy dishes. It's about making delicious, healthy food within the constraints of our busy, everyday lives. Uncomplicated Kitchen is all about: ~ planning meals mindfully ~ purchasing appropriate ingredients, sourcing locally when available ~ transforming inexpensive and simple ingredients into tasty dishes ~ using multipurpose kitchen tools that are simple to use ~ reducing or eliminating household food waste ~ preparing make-ahead meals Our ultimate goal is to give people a sense of confidence, peace, and joy in the kitchen. I hope you'll cook with us. To learn more about us, please visit UncomplicatedKitchen.org. If you like what you see and are enjoying our videos, please consider making a donation to support our organization. :)

Make a stellar meal in five minutes with some leftover pasta! In this video, I'll show you how to turn that cold pasta into the most nutritious, protein-packed, veggie-laden pasta salad of your dreams! Oh, and if you're gluten-free or just want a pasta alternative, you can use any rice, quinoa, or any other grain that makes you happy! Also, please forgive any small goofs in the video as I'm getting these videos up as quickly as I can. Our nonprofit mission has quickly shifted from in-person cooking classes to online videos in light of social distancing, and I'm learning as I go. :) Pasta Salad Ingredients: ~ 16oz box of pasta, cooked ~ 2 cans flaked tuna ~ 2 tbsp capers ~ 2 tbsp kalamata olives ~ 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes ~ 1/4 cup minced onion ~ 1/2 cup peas ~ 1/4 cup dressing or more to taste ~ salt & pepper to taste ~ fresh herbs to taste Dressing Ingredients: ~ 2/3 cup olive oil ~ 1/3 cup lemon juice or red wine vinegar ~ 1 tbsp dried oregano ~ 1 tsp minced fresh garlic ~ 1 tsp kosher salt ~ 1/2 tsp black pepper ~ 1 tsp honey About Us: I'm Jenna, and I'm the Founder and Executive Director of Uncomplicated Kitchen, a 501c3 nonprofit cooking school based in the mountains of Western NC. We're brand new to the online cooking realm, but given the current need for social distancing, we're trying to foster culinary fellowship on the web. Cooking truly is love. We include everyone regardless of age, experience, skill, or circumstance and believe that cooking isn't just about pricey ingredients, expensive gadgets, or fancy dishes. It's about making delicious, healthy food within the constraints of our busy, everyday lives. Uncomplicated Kitchen is all about: ~ planning meals mindfully ~ purchasing appropriate ingredients, sourcing locally when available ~ transforming inexpensive and simple ingredients into tasty dishes ~ using multipurpose kitchen tools that are simple to use ~ reducing or eliminating household food waste ~ preparing make-ahead meals Our ultimate goal is to give people a sense of confidence, peace, and joy in the kitchen. I hope you'll cook with us. To learn more about us, please visit UncomplicatedKitchen.org. If you like what you see and are enjoying our videos, please consider making a donation to support our organization at https://www.uncomplicatedkitchen.org/donate Thank you for watching!

Staying in? When going to the store is out of the question, you need to know how to use what you've got. In this video, I'll show you how to make a simple and nutritious grain salad and yummy dressing using what you have on hand. Grain Salad Recipe: In a bowl, combine 2 cups cooked grains, 1 cup veggies, 1/2 cup toasted nuts or seeds, 1/4 cup vinaigrette dressing, and 1/8 cup minced onion (optional). Toss to to combine, and happily eat. Dressing Recipe: In a mason jar, combine 2/3 cup oil, 1/3 vinegar or citrus juice, 2 tsp herbs/spices, 1 tsp honey/agave/maple syrup, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Shake, shake, shake to combine. Serve with all the yummy salads. Oh, and here's the Turmeric Honey Vinaigrette recipe I mentioned... In a mason jar, combine 2/3 cup olive oil, 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Shake, shake, shake to combine! You're all done. :) About Us: I'm Jenna, and I'm the Founder and Executive Director of Uncomplicated Kitchen, a 501c3 nonprofit cooking school based in the mountains of Western NC. We're brand new to the online cooking realm, but given the current need for social distancing, we're trying to foster culinary fellowship on the web. Cooking truly is love. We include everyone regardless of age, experience, skill, or circumstance and believe that cooking isn't just about pricey ingredients, expensive gadgets, or fancy dishes. It's about making delicious, healthy food within the constraints of our busy, everyday lives. Uncomplicated Kitchen is all about: ~ planning meals mindfully ~ purchasing appropriate ingredients, sourcing locally when available ~ transforming inexpensive and simple ingredients into tasty dishes ~ using multipurpose kitchen tools that are simple to use ~ reducing or eliminating household food waste ~ preparing make-ahead meals Our ultimate goal is to give people a sense of confidence, peace, and joy in the kitchen. I hope you'll cook with us. To learn more about us, please visit UncomplicatedKitchen.org. If you like what you see and are enjoying our videos, please consider making a donation to support our organization. :)