I’ve had this conversation with a few friends recently and wanted to bring it here. Have you hit a cooking wall? Besides getting takeout, switching up your grocery list can really help. So what are some things that you’ve bought/ordered that re-inspired you in the kitchen?
Recently, I’ve gotten goat cheese, strawberries, and a fresh jar of kimchi. I also ordered Thai food last night and can’t wait to eat the leftovers for lunch. What are you buying/making/ordering these days? I’m hitting the supermarket tomorrow and would some ideas!
P.S. I’m going to be on a radio show about cheese plates with my friend (and former TNHS contributor) Charlotte on Sunday at 2 pm EST. Listen live here and I’ll share the replay afterwards.
If you’ve got an Asian grocery store near you, look for preserved mustard greens. I’ve also been getting spicy preserved longbeans. Both are perfect for adding a side of greens to rice, potatoes, tofu, fish, or chicken.
I bought canned tuna and sardines, and I look forward to having them with toast or pasta or other dishes! I also recently bought beef loin and tortillas to make birria tacos
We're moving in about a week and a half, so we're going through and trying to use everything that we have in the house right now. Which means... cooking is really boring right now because we're actively trying to *NOT* bring in new ingredients right now.
But... I will say that we have become pros at making interesting grilled cheeses (+ caramelized onions, + a balsamic drizzle, + apple slices, + bacon...) and the many variations of breakfast for whatever meal because eggs are so damn versatile.
ah good luck with the move! I'm moving at the end of the month and it will def be a challenge to stock a new kitchen in the middle of all this. Those grilled cheeses sound so good though! I love mine with tomato or a little bit of miso!
I am so sick of cooking & doing dishes. It was fun for a while, but now it is a chore. I ordered babaganoush last week & it was the best thing I've tasted in a long time.
totally feel you! having a great dip on hand is really great, especially when you didn't make it yourself. Something that's helpful, especially on weekends, is doing a late, big breakfast and then a nice early dinner. Cuts down on dishes!
Added: eggplant to make caponata, zucchini to make into chips, pancake mix to make fritters, coconut milk for soups, bone-in chicken thighs for variety.
I've definitely hit a cooking wall recently, so these veggies have also been making their way into improvised sauces (i.e. roasting peppers, eggplant, zucchini, and onions and throwing them in a blender with olive oil, garlic cloves, and a variety of seasonings) that help my meals feel new/ fresh again
If you’ve got an Asian grocery store near you, look for preserved mustard greens. I’ve also been getting spicy preserved longbeans. Both are perfect for adding a side of greens to rice, potatoes, tofu, fish, or chicken.
great tip, will see if my market has those!
Here’s one thing to look for.... https://www.instagram.com/p/B_szuuPhUdJ/?igshid=13b92ci0z95y4
I bought canned tuna and sardines, and I look forward to having them with toast or pasta or other dishes! I also recently bought beef loin and tortillas to make birria tacos
such good ideas! my bf has been making tuna melts for lunch.
We're moving in about a week and a half, so we're going through and trying to use everything that we have in the house right now. Which means... cooking is really boring right now because we're actively trying to *NOT* bring in new ingredients right now.
But... I will say that we have become pros at making interesting grilled cheeses (+ caramelized onions, + a balsamic drizzle, + apple slices, + bacon...) and the many variations of breakfast for whatever meal because eggs are so damn versatile.
ah good luck with the move! I'm moving at the end of the month and it will def be a challenge to stock a new kitchen in the middle of all this. Those grilled cheeses sound so good though! I love mine with tomato or a little bit of miso!
I am so sick of cooking & doing dishes. It was fun for a while, but now it is a chore. I ordered babaganoush last week & it was the best thing I've tasted in a long time.
totally feel you! having a great dip on hand is really great, especially when you didn't make it yourself. Something that's helpful, especially on weekends, is doing a late, big breakfast and then a nice early dinner. Cuts down on dishes!
Added: eggplant to make caponata, zucchini to make into chips, pancake mix to make fritters, coconut milk for soups, bone-in chicken thighs for variety.
love these ideas! I've been thinking about getting eggplant to attempt eggplant parm!
I've definitely hit a cooking wall recently, so these veggies have also been making their way into improvised sauces (i.e. roasting peppers, eggplant, zucchini, and onions and throwing them in a blender with olive oil, garlic cloves, and a variety of seasonings) that help my meals feel new/ fresh again
that sounds great! having dips and sauces on hand is so helpful for sprucing things up.