Sometimes, even if you resort to meal plans or something similar, you may still encounter issues like getting tired of your food. It doesn’t mean that you’re a bad cook or you’re just not up to the task of preparing or cooking food–it just happens to lots of us for some reasons we can’t fully explain. Fortunately, you don’t have to fret if you’ve been through this problem more than once. If you’re starting to run out of ideas, you can always find a lot of tasty and delicious recipes online if you know where to look. Or if you don’t have the time to look around, you can always check the tips below and see which ones you haven’t tried yet. Most of the time all it takes is a small modification to your signature recipes and you’re basically back on track.
Add some pepper to your chicken or beef curry.
Incorporating some spice to your food can alter it a bit but not to the point that the entire dish will be different from the original. For curries, it’s best to go for black pepper if you’re trying to play it safe or if you have someone in the household who’s not fond of exploring entirely different dishes at a time.
Try to change where you eat from time to time.
Our surroundings can significantly influence how we perceive the flavor of our food, even if we’re not aware of this. This is according to research, at least. For example, if you eat a fancy dessert in a cramped, dark room, the overall experience of eating the food won’t be appealing to you. However, if the same food is served to you while you’re sitting comfortably on the beach, you may notice that the food tastes even better even if it’s just the same recipe. Try doing this first instead of altering your usual recipes altogether.
If you’re regularly cooking chicken breast, you may want to explore different marinades.
If you’re the type who’s not fond of red meat, you’re probably used to preparing chicken dishes most of the time. If you’re already bored of your usual recipes, you can always look online to find new ways to prepare chicken breast. You can either find a recipe that calls for a different marinade or you can try making your own. You don’t even have to go for fancy ingredients when creating your marinade. Go for those that you can easily find at home. Make sure to strike a good balance between saltiness and acidity. You may also explore herbs and spices while you’re at it.
Switch out the meat from time to time.
Some recipes that you can make switches like these include adobo, sinigang, and even curries. While the fundamentals of the recipe stay the same, you can have an entirely different experience from eating the dish because there will be changes in texture and in some aspects of the flavor.
In case you’re already tired of eating meat, you may also consider incorporating plant-based proteins into your meals. Consider having tofu sisig, tofu with scrambled eggs, or even stir-fried tofu and veggies with mushrooms to make things a bit more interesting. There are a lot of plant-based recipes online that you may try out. If in doubt, read some reviews of people who have already tried these so you can have a lower risk of having a fail when it comes to the taste department.
Fan of ramen? Give it a level up, then.
Instead of the sad noodle-and-seasoning combo, make the dish more filling by adding proteins and veggies into the mix. Eggs, meat, and your veggies of choice can help you get started in customizing your ramen. You may even look up some quick recipes if you don’t have the time or energy to think of something unique.
As for the broth, you may also change that to make it more appealing for you and your family. Add some fresh milk or soy milk, mirin, sesame oil, chili oil–the works. Set aside a cup broth so you can freely experiment on the combinations you can incorporate into the entire leveled-up ramen. Add some cheese as well for that extra savory flavor.
If every member of the household has different preferences for ramen, you may even consider serving it deconstructed. Just let everyone get what they want and mix it in their bowls. That will also be easier on your part because the setup is learning towards the self-serve type.
Stir-fry or roast some parts of your dishes.
Sometimes, the dish seems okay but there’s a subtle hint of flavor that will seem missing. In this case, you may have to add some extra steps to make a difference. One of these is cooking the ingredients with direct heat. Somehow, the method adds an extra layer of savory flavor that you can’t easily get by directly stewing everything in boiling water. While this may take some extra time on your end, it will surely be worth it if you notice your family and friends complimenting your dish during the meal.
Add a hint of acid into the mix.
You may already be familiar with the saying, “When in doubt, add some acid.” The same goes for when you want to change up the taste of your food. You can either go for citrus fruits or vinegar. The trick is in the amount that you’re going to use. Add too little and it will taste bland. Then, add too much and you’ll immediately notice the difference. If you don’t want to experiment by trial, look for a recipe that calls for it so you can have an idea of the approximate amounts to incorporate in your dish.
Incorporate tomato sauce in your usual recipes.
If you’ve already done this before and haven’t had great results with it, you may want to add other tomato products like tomato paste. Just be mindful of the ratio, though. If the only thing left in your pantry is the ketchup, don’t worry. All you have to do is to mix it with some water and a pinch of sugar and some spices. Use this to add flavor.
Pair your food with some wine.
Do some research beforehand to see which wine and food pairings are best. It may take a while to find what works best for you, but it will be well worth it in the long run. This is because your “eureka combinations“ will serve as your go-to if you feel the need to have some liquor fix.
Hopefully, the tips in this article have helped you figure out how to get started if you’re still trying to figure out how to tweak some of your classic dishes. Oftentimes, it doesn’t really need to take a lot of your time. All you have to do is to make the tiniest changes and you’re good to go. If you’re still having problems with your dishes, you may also consider trying out entirely new recipes for some time. Seeking help from your family or friends may also do some wonders. Who knows, you may even end up crafting a whole new unique dish.