Lao Gan Ma Noodles

Lao Gan Ma Noodles

Difficulty:★☆☆☆☆ 502 kcal

A home-style, quick, and spicy appetizer dish. The noodles are chewy and coated in the black bean and savory spicy aroma of Lao Gan Ma, while the soy sauce enhances the umami taste. It is simple yet full of flavor. As a main meal, it quickly replenishes carbohydrates and energy, and the capsaicin helps stimulate the appetite. There are no barriers to making this; even beginners can easily handle it, and the whole process from boiling water to serving takes about ten minutes.

Oven-Baked Basque Cheesecake

Oven-Baked Basque Cheesecake

Difficulty:★★☆☆☆ 266 kcal

Basque cheesecake is a dessert with a rich, dense texture, a crisp, caramelized crust, and a moist interior. It is a classic flavor from the Basque region of Spain. The main ingredients are cream cheese and eggs, which are rich in high-quality protein and calcium. The making process is very simple and easy for beginners to handle. The time from prep to oven is only about 30 minutes, but it is recommended to refrigerate overnight before eating, with a total time of approximately 8 hours or more.

Braised Eggplant with Potatoes

Braised Eggplant with Potatoes

Difficulty:★★★☆☆ 623 kcal

Eggplant stew with potatoes is a Northeast Chinese home-style stew. It has a soft, savory taste with a slight spice and garlic aroma, making it very appetizing. Eggplants are rich in anthocyanins and dietary fiber, potatoes provide carbohydrates and Vitamin C, and the pork offers protein, making the dish both nutritionally balanced and filling. Although the operations are simple, mastering the timing for stir-frying and reducing the sauce requires some skill, making it moderately challenging for beginners. The process from prep to serving takes approximately 45 minutes.

Scallion and Sea Cucumber Stew

Scallion and Sea Cucumber Stew

Difficulty:★★★☆☆ 299 kcal

This is a classic home-style dish from Shandong cuisine. It is characterized by a rich scallion aroma and tender, flavorful sea cucumbers with a thick, shiny sauce that is salty, fresh, and slightly sweet. Sea cucumbers are rich in collagen and minerals, which are very beneficial for nourishing the body. The overall cooking difficulty is not high, but you need to spend time soaking the dried sea cucumbers thoroughly in advance. The actual braising process takes about 30 minutes. Beginners can succeed easily if they follow the steps.