[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #00adef;”] A[/dropcap] few months ago I was talking to one of my long time Stonesoup readers about her cooking problems.
Here’s what she had to say…
I’ve been juggling a lot of things. I’ve got a corporate job.
I actually looove to cook so I get really frustrated if I feel like I’m stuck in a rut.
I don’t have a huge amount of time to surf the net.
My husband is not that great at being adventurous and I’ve got a toddler to cook for as well.
Because I love to cook and I love to try new things, I’ve been feeling really frustrated because it’s like ‘oh it’s spaghetti bolognese or pizza again’.
I feel like I’m not getting inspiration from anywhere.
Sound familiar?
Well you’re not alone!
And the good news is I have a couple of tricks to avoid the dreaded food rut…
2 easy ways to get unstuck from your food rut
1. Tweak your favourite recipes
Just choose one or more of the ingredients in an old favourite recipe and substitute in something similar but different.
For example, the photo above is a kale caesar salad where I’ve replaced the usual cos lettuce with kale leaves. One small change, big difference in the experience.
Or the other night I made Fergals’ Fried Rice for the boys but instead of using egg as the protein I added canned tuna. Everyone loved it.
It can take a little bit of confidence, but if you’re using a Stonesoup recipe all you need to do is check out the variations and substitutions section.
I’ve done the hard work for you!
2. Discover NEW favourite recipes
Tweaking is brilliant, but it will only take you so far.
The next step is to add new simple recipes into your repertoire. Even if you commit to only trying one new recipe per month, that will give you more than 2 weeks of new weeknight dinner ideas over the next year.
To discover some new faves you could use the search function on Stonesoup. Or browse the recipe index.
OR (shameless plug alert!) join my done-for-you Meal Planning service!
Introducing…
Simple Meal Plans
It’s a super simple way to get out of a food rut.
Each week I send you a meal plan with 5 new dinner ideas.
You’ll be able to try something new every night.
Or as often as you like.
Without having to think.
Or spend hours surfing the internet.
For more details
CLICK HERE
Meal planing is a game changer .
Especially when you need to get out of a rut.
Have fun in the kitchen!
With love,
Jules x
ps. Not sure if Stonesoup recipes will help you?
Here’s what Elizabeth said about her experience…
“I was worried the recipes would be very similar and would lack variety. I also thought they might be very rich. However I’m surprised at the variety and healthfulness of the recipes.”
– Elizabeth
For more details CLICK HERE.
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I get frustrated because my husband is stuck in a rut (he cooks one week a month). I can always count on cereal for breakfast and spaghetti for dinner. It’s really hard to get him to try anything new, and even something like the Magic Sausage Supper he considers too much work. I haven’t had too much of a problem with ruts because I follow several food blogs, and have been trying more and more Stonesoup recipes. No matter what my husband says, I find them to be very simple and I appreciate that cooking no longer takes as much effort. Stonesoup recipes are a real blessing in my older age.
Lovely to hear from you Susan!
It sounds like your husband is happy with his cooking and doesn’t want to change – I guess at least it’s only one week a month for you!
Jx