Confession: I am a terrible cook.

It’s a stupid thing to admit from someone that has been on a TV cooking show. But it’s true – I’d rather step on Lego barefoot than cook dinner.

When it comes to dessert, I’ll happily spend four days researching and crafting the perfect 15-layer cake. But the actual dinner part? Ugh. Spare me.

But now, I’m past the age where it’s a novelty. It’s not a chic statement of individuality, it’s just lazy. I’m bored of noodle tubs. I’ve eaten all the flavours of Lean Cuisine. And there’s only so many times you can have people over for dinner and order in pizzas.

So I’ve decided to change, by starting at the beginning. I picked five really simple and delish recipes – those classics that I keep coming back to. The staple pieces. The great ones that never let us down.

And now here we are, embarking on a journey from a crap-cooking-caterpillar into a bloody beautiful butterfly who can cook a few things nicely.

1. Scrambled eggs.

I used to cook scrambled eggs by thinning them out with some milk, beating the crap out of them and then frying them until they were hard, dry and granular. Mmm.

Then one day, at brunch, I ate the most indecently soft and buttery scrambled eggs. I asked the chef how she made them like that. And she told me: slowly. With lots of butter and cream.

“Remember that the eggs will continue cooking in the pan after you take it off the heat.” Image via Instagram @wrightkitchen

Here’s how:

Per person, use 2-3 eggs and 1tbsp of cream, and 5g of salted butter.

2. A great steak, mate.

A good steak is a beautiful thing: it’s fast, impressive and can be served with a simple salad for a pretty darn good meal. My dad taught me how to cook steak and I every time I do it his voice rings in my ears. He is the steak king.

Here’s how to do it right:

Choose the best cut you can afford (ask the butcher, they know all the things).

“Choose the best cut you can afford (ask the butcher, they know all the things).” Image via Instagram @wrightkitchen

3. Mashed potatoes.

Confession: I have served people packet mashed potatoes. I’m not proud. But I dream of cooking mashed potato just like my mum does – fluffy, buttery piles of potato with corned beef and white sauce. Let’s right this wrong.

You’ll need:

500g potatoes, peeled and cut into big chunks. Best potatoes are Sebago or Coliban.

50-100 g butter, chilled and diced.

100-150ml cream, warmed up. Or use hot milk.

Salt and pepper.

“I dream of cooking mashed potato just like my mum does – fluffy, buttery piles of potato with corned beef and white sauce.” Image via Instagram @jamieoliver

4. Stir-fry.

I keep coming back to stir-fry because it’s such a quick and easy dinner and it’s so fun and sizzly that you forget you’re eating vegetables.

But if your stir-fry resembles more of a greyed out, soggy stew, it’s probably because your wok is not hot enough (and also some other basic mistakes).

Here’s how to change that:

“Prepare all your bits. Cut them up because once you start wokking you really don’t have time to leisurely start chopping carrots and wondering if you left the snow peas in the self-checkout section. ” Image via Instagram @wright kitchen

5. Poached fruit.

I want to be the type of person that serves poached fruit. Poached pears. Poached peaches. Poaching seems so posh – I ate poached pears at a friend’s dinner party once and thought it was the bee’s knees, and that’s why I keep coming back to it.

“I want to be the type of person that serves poached fruit.” Image via Instagram @wrightkitchen

It can be served with a bit of vanilla ice cream, or custard, and it makes the house smell divine, and really it’s very easy.

All these recipes are winners. You’re not deconstructing anything and there’s not a jus or a reduction in sight. So go forth, hungry caterpillar. Make and eat.

What is your favourite easy-peasy, no fail recipe?

Here are some of Instagram’s best foodies to follow, just in case you needed a little more inspiration:

@backtobircher

@hemsleyhemsley

@thehungryaustralian

@smoothiebowls

@bizzylizzysgoodthings

@cdeihl

@julesgallowayhealth

@katherine_sabbath1

@aprilbloomfield

@love_your_health

@NotQuiteNIgella

@rawveganblonde

@sarahcooksblog

@thewholefooddiary