True story. Sometimes, you want to make that go-to meal but you didn’t get carrots this week. Take a deep breath. Let’s take this opportunity to be creative and grow your skills as a cook: swap ingredients, and dare to improvise!
Let’s say you wanted to make spicy beef and broccoli over rice, but you didn’t get any broccoli. What can you use instead of the broccoli? Zucchini, fennel and celery, peppers and onions, or carrots could all work. Figure out what you can swap into a recipe for an ingredient you don’t have. Will it be exactly the same? No. Will it work? Yes! You might even like it better, and you avoided a trip to the store.
When using recipes, most of us pick a protein and plan around that protein. You think “What should I make for dinner? Chicken. OK. I have chicken thighs in the fridge.” And then you google recipes that call for chicken thighs. What if you switched it up, and started by planning the fruits and veggies? What can you find that uses mangos? Maybe a mango salsa. You could use that for chicken, pork, or fish. What focuses on eggplant? Tomatoes? Both? Google your veggies first, then add a protein that works with your choice.
Lastly, some meals require no planning. Don’t be afraid to throw a protein on the grill and sauté your veggies in a little good butter. Finish with a touch of salt. These Misfits Market veggies are so good just as themselves! Your family may resist at first, but the food will win them over.
A note on butter: my current favorite is the 2lb Sea Salt Butter Roll from Minerva Dairy available at your local Wegman’s—it’s $11 and worth every penny. Minerva Dairy is “America’s oldest family owned creamery.” Who says happy cows come only from California?