Food, glorious food. Why is it so boring? If you’ve ever asked yourself that, you may be in a food rut.
There’s no known limit to the flavor combinations, techniques, and preparations we can make. Yet many of us eat the same things over and over again. I suppose there’s nothing wrong with a repetitious diet as long as it’s nutritious and balanced. But there’s plenty of room to throw in some surprises to get out of a boring food rut.
There is a level of comfort to certain repeat foods. Sometimes, we know our system tolerates a dish well. Sometimes, a food is part of a routine we find calming. Some foods remind us of pleasant experiences. And sometimes it’s just easier to order the same thing than to scour a list of ingredients or try a new recipe.
With these things in mind, substituting an ingredient or two in one of your traditional dishes can be an easy way to liven things up. Think Pesto Lasagna using pesto in place of red sauce or Pizza Cup Meatloaf using pizza sauce instead of ketchup baked in small portions in a muffin tin.
Add crunch to chicken and rice by throwing in a handful of raw sunflower seeds just before serving.
Sprinkle some yellow curry into chicken soup for added flavor.
Perk up your salads with fresh herbs – mint, cilantro, basil, chervil, chives, parsley, tarragon.
Top fruit with plain yogurt and sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg.
Serve black or pinto beans with a dollop of pico de gallo or rice that’s enhanced with a squeeze of lime juice and chopped cilantro.
Add fresh lemon juice to vanilla icing for cinnamon rolls.
Rub French bread with raw garlic and tomato before drizzling with olive oil.
Use black garlic in mac & cheese instead of regular garlic.
Sprinkle fresh strawberries with black pepper and drizzle with balsamic vinegar reduction.
Make a wedge salad with bleu cheese. Substitute balsamic drizzle for traditional blue cheese dressing.
Top scrambled eggs with cream cheese and strawberry jelly.
Fry bananas instead of eating them raw. Use coconut oil or butter. Add vanilla or cinnamon if desired.
Coat a pork tenderloin in Cavender’s Seasoning and bake. Serve in place of pot roast. This substitution is a favorite of mine. Cavender’s Seasoning originated in my hometown so I’ve used it for years. It’s all you need for a delicious pork tenderloin.
This is not a comprehensive list. It’s a beginning that will hopefully spark your imagination and enable you to make similar changes any time you feel you’re approaching a rut. Little changes can make food all the more glorious.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
