🛒 Ingredients

Here’s everything you need to make these three delicious dishes.

🥣 Lentil Soup (Serves 1–2)

• ½ cup dried lentils, rinsed thoroughly (see tips)
• 2 cups water
• ¼ to ½ cup (60–120ml) coconut milk (I prefer 1/2 cup since I love coconut milk)
• Optional: pinch of salt, pepper, lemon juice, or chopped herbs (just as delicious without these optonal, but varieties to try depending on your mood)

🌽 Corn on the Cob

• Any number of ear(s) of fresh corn
• Water for boiling which can at leastcover the corns in pot

🍠 Sweet Potatoes

• Any number of sweet potatoes, washed clean

🔧 Essential Equipment

• Large pot with lid (for lentils and boiling corn)
• Steamer basket (optional, for steaming sweet potatoes or corn)
• Oven (for baking sweet potatoes or corn)
• Baking sheet or foil
• Knife and cutting board
• Fork (for testing doneness)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s get cooking! These beginner-friendly instructions will guide you through each recipe with ease.

🥣 Lentil Soup

1. Rinse the lentils in a bowl under cold water. Stir gently and drain. Repeat 4–5 times until the water runs mostly clear.
2. In a saucepan, combine lentils and water. Bring to a boil.
3. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and cover the pot, allowing the soup to simmer gently for 35 minutes. Keep it at a very low simmer—just barely bubbling.
4. Add ¼ to ½ cup coconut milk, stir, and cook for another 2–3 minutes until well combined.
5. (Optional) Add a pinch of salt, pepper, lemon juice, or herbs if desired during last minute(s) of boiling.

🌽 Boiled Corn on the Cob

1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
2. Peel corn and remove any silks.
3. Add corn to boiling water and boil for 4 minutes.
4. Remove and serve, or cool and store.

Alternate Methods:

• Baked Corn: Wrap ears in foil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25–30 minutes.
• Steamed Corn: Place in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for 5–10 minutes.

Tip: Overcooked corn can turn chewy.

🍠 Baked Sweet Potatoes

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Wash sweet potatoes, no need to peel.
3. Place directly on the oven rack or a baking sheet and bake for about 1 hour for medium size ones (about 250g–300g each), until a fork pierces the center easily, smaller ones take less baking time, bigger ones take more time.
4. Let cool slightly until it does not hurt your hands/mouth, then serve.

Alternate Methods:

• Steamed: Place in a steamer for 40–50 minutes until tender.
• Boiled: Boil for 15–20 minutes, though this may cause the natural sweetness to leach into the water.

Tip: For extra caramelization, prick the potato a few times with a fork and bake directly on the oven rack.

🔁 Storage & Reheating Tips

• Lentil Soup: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently, adding a bit of water or coconut milk if needed.
• Corn: Refrigerate cooked ears for up to 3 days. Merge in boiling water for 1–2 minutes (you may turn off the heat) or microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel.
• Sweet Potatoes: Store in fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes or microwave for 2–3 minutes.

💡 Cooking Tips & Ingredient Swaps

• Lentils: Use red or yellow lentils, they create a smooth texture. Green or brown lentils do not break down with boiling.
• Coconut milk: Can be swapped with any unsweetened plant milk—almond, oat, or soy.
• Sweet potatoes: Try yams or Japanese sweet potatoes for variation.
• Corn: Frozen ears work in a pinch. Just add 2–3 extra minutes when boiling.

❓ FAQs

Can I add other vegetables to these recipes?
Yes! You can add green peas, carrots, spinach, zucchini and etc. to lentil soup, if starts to feel bland, add herbs, salt, pepper, lemon juice and/or curry paste.

Can I make these recipes ahead of time?
Absolutely! They store and reheat beautifully—perfect for meal prep.

Do I have to use coconut milk in the lentils?
No, you may try other plant milk (such as soy milk, almond milk) if preferred.

🌟 Wrap-Up

Eating flavorful food without seasoning might sound like a challenge, but these recipes prove it can be both easy and tasty. With just a few whole ingredients and basic cooking methods, you’ll have warm, nourishing meals that don’t need anything extra to shine.

Whether you're short on time, simplifying your diet, or cooking for someone with sensitivities, these wholesome dishes are here to support you. Give them a try, and let your food speak for itself!

Recipes from other youtubers you can also try

* crab is alreay salty that is why he said salt optional, I would prefer not to use salt

* good way to boil shrimp

* This video compares various ways to cook corn, I think boiling is still easiest and one of most delicious, but if you have grill, maybe try the way this video recommends which it says the most delicious