Break Out of Your Dining Rut With a Few Quirky Exchanges
Having reliable recipes you can make any night of the week is an important factor in eating at home, but can get a little monotonous. To mix it up without creating too much work for yourself, replace the “standard” ingredients with ones that seem a little more interesting.
The trick is to choose a substitute that seems special but requires the same amount of preparation. Bon Appetit suggests replacing beef with ground lamb, but smaller replacements can make a big difference as well. Some suggestions:
- Instead of the usual old lemons in the vinaigrette, try the more aromatic Meyer variety , or make it even more sophisticated and use a mixture of half lemon juice and half a blood orange.
- Use homemade bread crumbs or bread crumbs instead of the usual boxed ones. Extra point if you fry them in oil first or add lemon zest there .
- Upgrade your mushrooms using crimini or chanterelles instead of boring porcini mushrooms.
Also, don’t underestimate the power of the condiments. Changing vinegar, hot sauce, or even cooking oil can change the flavor profile of your food just enough to make it delicious again without having to learn a whole new recipe.
17 Tips For A Faster, Healthier And Easier Dinner On Weekdays | Bon Appetit