If you’re stuck in a rut and uninspired in the kitchen, then perhaps it’s time to exercise the creative muscles and whip up some of these dishes. One of the best ways out of a rut is to shake things up with creative recipes.
Crockpot Lasagna
If your dinner ideas mainly consist of chicken breast, it might be time to try something new. Most people associate their crockpot with stews or roasts. Both delightful and incredibly filling, I typically use my crockpot for these, too; however, sometimes, a crockpot lasagna really hits the spot.
Usually, I love the methodical steps of creating a cheesy, meaty lasagna. I take great pains to layer and organize everything perfectly in the pan. However, this recipe eliminates that precision in favor of a more casserole-style meal that uses slow cooking and simmering to bring all the flavors together. This is perfect served alongside an aromatic piece of garlic bread or delicious sauteed veggies.
Cake In a Mug
Maybe the thought of baking a whole cake appeals to you. After all, then you’ll have an entire cake. If perhaps you are wary of letting a whole cake sit in your kitchen because you know that you’ll end up eating the entire thing, then cake-in-a-mug is a perfect compromise. All the joys of baking and eating a cake without the guilt of eating an entire cake. Win-win. An additional win is the prep time. This recipe can be whipped up in under five minutes. How long it will it take you to finish this creative recipe masterpiece? Well, that’s on you.
Waffle Falafel
I had my first taste of falafel in Cairo. Next to the university, there was a small hole-in-the-wall shop that had a line half a block long. For many weeks I tried to figure out what words in Arabic I needed to learn to stand in line and get what everyone else was waiting for. When I finally asked my tutor about it, she said, “Oh that, just elbow your way to the front and yell falafel. You’ll get what they’re having.”
I’ve loved the dish ever since.
Unfortunately, I am a long way from Cairo now, and the vats of oil they used to fry their falafel are harder to come by in my neck of the woods. When I am fiending for some falafel, I just grab my mini waffle iron, whip up the ingredients into a mixture and wait. No elbowing and screaming are necessary for this creative recipe.
Four Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
What’s that saying? Work smarter, not harder? I think if these cookies needed a new name, I’d call them “smarter-not-harders.” Replacing the myriad ingredients required for traditional peanut butter cookies, these cookies simplify everything with just four ingredients.
By replacing typical dry ingredients with Bisquick and the usual wet ingredients with sweetened condensed milk, you’ve eliminated the mess and hassle of baking. Add in your preferred creamy peanut butter and a dash of vanilla, and voila: you’ve got peanut butter batter.
Make sure to use a fork to indent the top for even baking, and in 10-15 minutes, you’ve got a dozen bites of delicious. These cookies taste delicious with a cup of tea.
I hope these recipes inspire you to be creative in the kitchen. However, if recipes leave you uninspired, perhaps a new cookware set could help you get started in the kitchen. No matter what recipe (or cookware set) you choose, it is always satisfying when you prepare your food in the comfort of your own home.
