How to Make Routine Dinners More Exciting

We’re all capable of falling into ruts. And for many of us, this is most evident in our weekly dinner routines. If you and your family are tired of the same old, same old for dinner, you’ll be motivated to seek out new spins on old classics and totally new food innovations.

What’s the best approach to make your routine dinners more exciting?

Invest in Some New Equipment

You might be able to expand your culinary horizons by investing in some new devices, appliances, or tools that facilitate new cooking techniques. Something shiny and new in your kitchen, or in your outdoor environment, could be exactly what you need to stimulate your creativity and try something new.

For example, you could invest in an outdoor pizza oven; contrary to the name, this high-temperature outdoor oven can be used for far more than just pizza. You can use it to roast vegetables and cook a wide variety of different side dishes.

You could also invest in a flat-top grill, a slow cooker, a multi-cooker, or any number of other tools. The point is to inject your cooking area with something novel that you’re not used to using.

Have Someone Else Cook

If you’re tired of being the one to cook, or if the other people in your house are complaining about repetitiveness in your cooking lineup, simply have someone else cook. If you have a spouse or a partner, ask them to take over cooking duty, even if they don’t have much knowledge or experience. If you have kids, consider working with them to teach them cooking fundamentals – and eventually allow them to take over cooking dinner at least one night a week.

If you live alone, consider inviting over one of your friends or family members to cook for you; in exchange, you can cook for them in the future, or you could offer to pay for all the ingredients. And of course, you could always order out as a way to have someone else cook.

Get Some New Spices and Seasonings

There are dozens of common herbs and spices that are used, in various combinations, to produce an overwhelming number of potential flavor combinations. Chances are, you’re already familiar with most of these, and you probably have a stash of most of them in your pantry right now. But there are at least some common spices and seasonings that you aren’t familiar with or don’t use on a regular basis; consider integrating them into your meals to imbue them with a fresher, more exciting taste.

If that doesn’t work for you, consider visiting a local spice shop and browsing some of the more exotic flavors. You might be surprised at the number of unique tastes that are available to you if you’re willing to look.

Visit Ethnic Food Markets

Similarly, consider visiting ethnic food markets in your area. Cuisine from other countries and other cultures can taste and smell very different than ours. Depending on what you find, you might be interested in trying a fundamentally new recipe, or simply incorporating a novel ingredient that you wouldn’t have otherwise considered.

Find Inspiration Elsewhere

There are many ways to cook food more creatively, and you’ll be in a much better position to do it if you look for inspiration elsewhere.

For example:

• Video content creators. There are millions of people online trying to promote their own cooking, including world-renowned chefs and amateur home cooks alike. If you spend some time browsing any social media channel, you’ll encounter these talented people and you’ll have a chance to learn from their unique cooking philosophies.
• Chefs at great restaurants. To earn a Michelin star, restaurants must have a nearly perfect combination of cooking skills, creativity, presentation, and personality. You probably won’t be able to bring your home kitchen to this level, but if you eat out regularly at well-received restaurants, you can learn from them and incorporate at least some techniques into your own work.
• Friends and family members. You can also find inspiration from friends and family members. Find people who love cooking and ask them about new ingredients or techniques they’ve tried.

Change Your Preparation Strategy

You can also change up your preparation strategy. For example, if you’re feeling tired of cooking the same things, consider focusing on recipes that allow you to cook everything in the same pot, or rely on a smart slow cooker. If you feel overwhelmed by cooking responsibilities, consider doing more prep work in advance.

With these strategies, you can take the routine dinners that your family already knows and loves and make them much more interesting (and potentially more delicious). Even if you don’t become a world-renowned chef, you can at least get some more appreciation around your own dinner table.