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Bases

39 entries · page 1 of 3

The recipes we actually cook.

basesquick

Mayo marinade

This is a quick and effective way to marinate chicken and pork. The mayo ensures spices don’t burn, and it adheres to the cut surprisingly well.

Prep5m
Serves2
USA mains +3

Pulled pork

Pulled pork is a great base for dozens of dishes, including sliders, chilies, tacos, macaroni, rice bowls, and more.

Prep15m
Cook1h
Greek bases +4

Gyro base

Gyro beef or lamb is a great base for salads, pitas, sandwiches, and other preparations.

Prep15m
Serves8
Italian pasta +3

Fresh egg pasta

Making pasta by hand is easier than it looks. It takes about 20 minutes, plus a bit of cleanup.

Prep20m
Cook2–3m
Serves4
Italian mains +3

Meatballs

A scalable, by-weight meatball for spaghetti, braises, and the freezer.

Prep30m
Cook20m
Serves6–12
Mexican bases

Al pastor marinade (pantry hack)

Al pastor is a tart and savoury marinade that begs for pork and fresh tortillas. I don’t always have easy access to whole dried chilies, but I do have ground dried and fresh ones, so this is a pantry version that captures the intent of a …

Prep20m
Cook2–4h
bases

Base recipes for weeknight cooking

Many people like to prepare entire meals for the week or month, or to make a large meal on the weekend and use it for leftovers. Preparing foods in bulk can save money and time, but the problem with preparing a single meal for an entire …

Read5m
Canadian bases +1

Beef base

This is a savoury ground beef base for tacos, salads, soups, casseroles, and sauces.

Prep15m
Cook35–90m
Indian bases

Ginger/garlic paste

This paste is a common base for many South Asian dishes, including Indian takeaway-style cooking. Use a spoonful in soups, gravies, and on meats.

Prep10m
Greek bases

Greek lemon and herb marinade

This marinade is great for rice, tofu, chicken, shrimp, and fish. It’s a bright, herbal blend that balances acid, salt, and sweet. In a pinch it works as a finishing sauce drizzled over the plate, and on salads (where it’s even better …

Prep10m
Indian bases

Indian takeout tomato purée

Making Indian-style dishes quickly is much easier with a few base ingredients prepared ahead of time. This takeout-style tomato purée adds depth and body to many types of curries.

Cook20–30m