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How to Make Healthy Home Cooking More Fun!
If you don’t enjoy cooking, maybe I can help to make it more fun for you!
I loovvve to cook and I know that sometimes cooking can feel more like a chore than fun; I can get into a rut just like everyone else.
So that’s why I've listed my best "fun" cooking tips for you.
Fun Cooking Tip #1
Check out new recipes.
Sometimes just seeing the beautiful food photos and reading the recipe can spark some inspiration and fun in your kitchen.
You can look up your favorite chefs, bakers, and other online foodies. Maybe do a quick search on Google or Pinterest to see thousands of new ideas.
Perhaps you have some ingredients in your fridge that are just waiting to be eaten. For instance, I had some leftovers in the fridge, brown rice, ground turkey taco mix and sautéed veggies that I needed to use, but what was I going to do them with them?
Here is my creation for some inspiration.
I put a red enchilada sauce on bottom of a dish topped with corn tortillas cut in half. Added a layer of brown rice then a layer of taco meat(added can of black beans, undrained, and a can of diced green chilis). Sprinkled 1/2 cup cheese(used plant based) then repeated with tortilla halves, rice, taco meat mix. Finished with rice, cheese and veggies, you can see how it looks below. Covered with foil and baked until hot, ~45 minutes.
This was a really tasty use of leftovers. What is in your frig that you can repurpose into a yummy meal?
Pro Tip: Searching through recipes can be fun and inspiring, and can also end up taking waaaay longer than planned. So, consider setting a timer when you start browsing. The last thing you want is to take too much time looking, leaving no time for cooking.
Pick the recipes you want to try and add the ingredients, you don’t have on hand, to your shopping list.
Fun Cooking Tip #2
Make grocery shopping fun and inspiring.
When you’re at the grocery store, try something that you haven’t had in a while. Is there a seasonal fruit or vegetable you haven’t had for months? What about a childhood favorite? Maybe you came across something totally delicious at a restaurant. If you have kids, let them pick 2 dinners for the week. Have breakfast for dinner!
Or, you could browse the produce section of the store looking for something you haven't had before; something that is completely new to you. Be adventurous and fun. Then you can go to tip #1 to find new and inspiring recipes when you get home. (If you choose this option make sure you plan for the extra time it will take.)
Fun Cooking Tip #3
Keep it simple!!
Sometimes when I see a great food picture, I may immediately get inspired to make it. But if I look at the ingredients or instructions and they're just too long, I sometimes break it into pieces. I plan time for prep or prep extra when making a different meal. Make sauces ahead of time, you could even freeze for later use. Then when you are ready to prepare the recipe bring all your ingredients out and you’re ready to go!
Healthy and delicious meals don’t need to be time consuming.
A few other ways to keep things simple:
● Search for recipes with 10 or fewer ingredients.
● Search for recipes that can be made in one pot or pan.
● Buy ingredients that are ready to cook with (pre-washed salad greens, diced squashes, frozen or canned beans or vegetables, etc.)
Fun Cooking Tip #4
Put on some music and invite someone to join you.
Do you have kids that need to learn the critical life skill of cooking? Perhaps your partner would love to join you? What about having a “cooking party” where everyone brings something and pitches in on the process? Or, have a virtual cooking party!
Fun Cooking Tip #5
If none of the other tips work for you, invest in some kitchen swag!
Having proper kitchen tools makes cooking so much easier and faster. When's the last time you sharpened your (our bought yourself a new) knife? Could dicing carrots with a dull knife be draining the fun from cooking? Or is blending a smoothie with a crummy blender, leaving it too chunky to enjoy, making you feel less excited to try new smoothie recipes? I know it does for me.
Fun Cooking Tip #6
Remember, recipes are guidelines, have fun with them!
Don’t be afraid to color outside the lines, you just may come up with a great tasting new favorite meal! While you're at it, serve your creation with an eye pleasing presentation, create an in home fine dining experience. Or, put down a blanket on the floor and enjoy an indoor picnic.
Conclusion
You know that home cooking is key to healthy eating. And, yes, it does get boring from time to time.
Try one (or all) of my fun cooking tips to inspire you to get into your kitchen and cook yourself some great dishes. You already know your health will thank you. <3
RECIPE (simple and fun): One Skillet Frittata; Serves 4
8 eggs ¼ cup almond milk, unsweetened( or milk of choice) 1 tsp olive oil, extra virgin
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 handful baby spinach 1 small zucchini, sliced into thin coins 1 clove of garlic, minced
1 handful cherry tomatoes, halved 1 dash herbs and spice to taste (parsley, sage, paprika, turmeric, etc.)
1 dash salt and pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375F.
Whisk together eggs and almond milk.
Heat an ovenproof skillet (e.g. cast iron) on the stove with the olive oil.
To the hot skillet add garlic, spinach, and zucchini. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts and the zucchini starts to soften.
Add the tomatoes, herbs, spices, salt, and pepper.
Pour in the eggs.
Place the skillet into the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, until eggs are set.
Serve & enjoy!
Tip: Feel free to substitute your veggies and use what you have on-hand. Try diced pepper instead of tomatoes, or chopped kale instead of spinach. Have fun with this!
Let me know if you find a tip that resonates with you and/or have questions or comments.
You can find me HERE!
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