After what seems like an age of lockdowns and restrictions, many of us may be stuck in a rut of making the same cycle of meals week after week. After coming home from work, cooking may start feeling like a task and eventually something to dread. However, with a few tweaks, you can make mealtimes more exciting.
Here are 5 tips that don’t take hours and don’t break the bank, to renew your interest in cooking:
Consider a relocation
This may not be an option for everyone, but with warmer and longer nights on their way, eating outside could be an option.
If you have a garden with some patio furniture, don’t waste the chance to enjoy your meal whilst listening to some birdsong. Eating on a balcony or terrace could be just as fun, you could people watch as you tuck into your food!
Eating outside opens up the possibilities of food. Perhaps you could grow some of your own vegetables and cook them one evening? From the garden to your plate!
Learn your wine pairings
There’s a reason that sommeliers recommend different wines for different meals. With the right pairing, you can turn a normal meal into a culinary experience.
If you’re still in the dark about wine, here’s the opportunity to learn. There are two simple things that anyone can learn. Firstly, red wine pairs best with meat and white wine pairs best with chicken and fish. Secondly, most wines have a dryness rating on their bottle and suggestions of what to serve alongside.
You can’t go wrong with lighter, fruitful wines. The right bottle can lighten a palate after a heavy meal or serve as an appetizing refreshment before you begin serving. For example, take a look at this Chin Chin Vinho Verde review from Forest Wines, where you’ll find a great selection to pair with any meal.
Inspiration is all around
Many of us are guilty of typing into Google Quick easy meals for dinner or something along those lines. This way, you can get stuck with the same rotation of meals that you begin to dread.
Inspiration is all around; there are thousands of recipes available for you to try. Consider swapping recipe books with a friend, parent or grandparent. Don’t be frightened by older recipes, they’re often a hit with a few tweaks!
You could also follow foodie accounts on social media, and chefs on YouTube! More often than not, you’ll see something delicious that someone else has made and want to try it yourself!
Fast food-ify your favourites
Love Nando’s? Make it yourself! Love curries? Make them yourself! Can’t get enough ramen and sushi? Make them yourself!
Most of your favourite fast foods and takeaways can be made at home for a fraction of the price – and a fraction of the calories. Nando’s, for example, sell their sauce and flavouring packets in most shops. Other brands such as Itsu are slowly rolling out their own line of both frozen and non-frozen items.
Other brands may not sell their products in shops – but this doesn’t mean you can’t make them at home. There are many delicious curry recipes, fakeaways and twists on regular dishes that you can try!
Be your own chef
Cooking is easier than ever, with jarred sauces, flavouring packets and instant meals. But the truth is cooking fresh is just as easy, and definitely tastier.
Making your own sauces is simple, and with a few ingredient swaps, you’ll have a whole cookbook of dishes. Most soups can be made with a few vegetables and a blender if you don’t have a lot of time. Perfect for taking with you to work!
Another great idea is to try your hand at making some of the classics. Why use a frozen Shepherd’s Pie or beef burgers when you can make them yourself? Once you’ve gone homemade, you won’t go back!
