So you’ve got something unique in the kitchen – so unique you haven’t been able to find it anywhere online or in any restaurant reviews. That doesn’t mean it’s something special. Creating unique dishes is hard – and while it may seem like geniuses just whip up amazing food when the fancy strikes, that’s rarely the case. No matter your skill level in the kitchen, there are a few tried and true routes for pumping out new and inventive dishes for you and your family or friends. Let’s take a look at a few things you can do to get that brainstorming going.
Develop a new recipe using ingredients you probably have on hand.
If you’re looking for an easy way to come up with a new dish, try using ingredients you probably have on hand. Here are four recipes that use common kitchen ingredients:
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Bacon is the perfect foil for sweet dates, and the wrapped dates make for an easy appetizer or dessert. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit before starting to cook the bacon. Arrange the dates on a baking sheet and top them with slices of bacon. Bake in the oven until the bacon is crispy, about 15 minutes. Serve hot!
Caesar Salad With Bacon Dressing
Caesar salads can be a bit boring, but adding bacon gives them a delicious twist. You’ll need romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Bacon Bits in order to make this salad. First, melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Once melted, add in the Parmesan cheese and let it melt into the butter. Add in garlic powder and onion powder and stir until everything is combined. Add in salt and pepper to taste before pouring in your Caesar dressing mix and mixing well until everything is coated evenly. Finally, fold in some chopped bacon before serving your salad chilled or at room temperature.
Create a stir-fry using fresh vegetables and proteins that you’ve picked up at the grocery store.
A quick and easy stir-fry is perfect for a busy weeknight. You can use any combination of fresh vegetables and proteins that you have on hand, making it a great way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Start with a base of thinly sliced onion or garlic. Add in some fresh ginger, green beans, bell peppers, or other vegetables of your choice. Cook until tender, adding in either chicken or tofu if desired.
- Next, add some cooked protein such as shrimp, beef, or tofu. Stir-fry until heated through and golden brown on the edges. Finished off with a sprinkle of sesame seeds to give it a boost of flavor.
- Add some fresh herbs such as cilantro or basil for an extra kick of flavor. Serve immediately with rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Come up with a one-pot dish using your favorite seasonings and ingredients.
There’s something about a great one-pot dish that just feels cozy and comforting. And who can resist a meal that comes together in minutes? Whether you’re in the mood for something simple or want to try a new flavor combination, these easy recipes will hit the spot. Start with some hearty ingredients like chicken or beef, then add some flavorful seasonings and you’ve got yourself a winner. Here are our favorite one-pot dishes:
- One-Pot Cheesy Bacon Chicken and Broccoli: This dish is perfect for busy weeknights because it cooks in just one pot and takes just 15 minutes to prepare! Plus, the cheesy bacon flavor is amazing.
- Slow Cooker Brown Sugar and Apple Pork Loin: This slow cooker pork loin is tender and delicious thanks to brown sugar and apples. It’s also easy to make, so you can spend more time enjoying your family and friends instead of cooking dinner!
- One-Pot Garlic Butter Shrimp: This shrimp dish is made with garlic, butter, and lemon juice – making it both fragrant and healthy! Best of all, it only takes 10 minutes to cook up this delicious feast.
- Southwest Spicy Chicken Quinoa Bowls: These southwest-inspired bowls are packed full of flavor and are perfect for any quick meal fix! The quinoa gives them a nice texture while the spicy chicken provides lots of heat.
Create a new recipe using leftover food
Start by gathering all of your leftover food items. You might have leftovers from a previous meal, some vegetables that are going to go bad soon, or anything else you can think of. Once you have everything you need, it’s time to start cooking! Begin by heating up your ingredients in a pot or pan until they’re all hot and bubbly. When everything is cooked to your liking, it’s time to assemble your dish! Start by mixing together the ingredients until they’re all evenly distributed. Finally, serve the dish up and enjoy! If you want, you can top it with any extra spices or flavors that you prefer.
Combine two or more of your favorite dishes into one unique dish.
Sometimes, all you need is a little inspiration to come up with a new dish. Here are five easy ways to invent a new dish:
- Create a fusion dish by combining two or more of your favorite dishes. For example, try mixing together shrimp and avocado sushi rolls or chicken and broccoli stir-fry.
- Try creating a cooked-to-order dish inspired by one of your favorite restaurants. For example, make the Pad Thai at your house as the restaurant version does with fresh ginger and green onion instead of canned shrimp and tamarind paste.
- Experiment with different flavors and ingredients to come up with something unique. For example, add cilantro to traditional chili for a fresh spin, or use apple cider vinegar in place of soy sauce in your Mongolian Beef recipe.
- Use leftovers as inspiration for new dishes. For example, if you have leftover roasted pork from dinner the night before, try making pulled pork tacos the next day topped with coleslaw and sour cream instead of regular taco toppings like lettuce and cheese.
- Take advantage of seasonal ingredients when cooking foraged foods like mushrooms, berries, or citrus fruits in the wintertime or spicy peppers during the summertime months.
