Add 'Newness' Into Your Everyday Cooking Routine
It’s almost a new year! Are you ready?
What "newness” are you planning to introduce into your home cooking routine in 2025?
In the world of food and cooking, the possibilities are endless. You could try a new food, a spice, a recipe, an ethnic cuisine you’ve never tried, or make changes to your diet to morph into “new” you.
I highly recommend that you find a way to add a little razzle-dazzle into your home cooking routine. It helps lessen the doldrums of everyday cooking and reduces the monotony of eating the same meals over and over again.
I began embracing this idea of trying new things in my kitchen early in December in preparation of writing this newsletter. I started with an ethnic recipe that is new to me called Nasi goreng, an Indonesian fried rice. Years ago, a subscriber asked me if I had a recipe for it, which I didn’t. So, I’m finally getting around to making it and sharing the recipe with you!
What "newness” are you planning to introduce into your home cooking routine in 2025?
In the world of food and cooking, the possibilities are endless. You could try a new food, a spice, a recipe, an ethnic cuisine you’ve never tried, or make changes to your diet to morph into “new” you.
I highly recommend that you find a way to add a little razzle-dazzle into your home cooking routine. It helps lessen the doldrums of everyday cooking and reduces the monotony of eating the same meals over and over again.
I began embracing this idea of trying new things in my kitchen early in December in preparation of writing this newsletter. I started with an ethnic recipe that is new to me called Nasi goreng, an Indonesian fried rice. Years ago, a subscriber asked me if I had a recipe for it, which I didn’t. So, I’m finally getting around to making it and sharing the recipe with you!
I also recently tried a new seasoning called Za’atar. I had seen this ingredient listed in recipes over the years and was curious, but never stopped to find out what it was. So, in the pursuit of ‘newness’…I dove in.
Za’atar is a delicious seasoning mixture made with oregano and/or thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, and salt. Its origins are in Palestine, though Za'atar has since spread to other countries, and become popular throughout the Middle East. It has a nice “bright” taste to it and can be used in many different ways.
I decided to make a Za’atar squash dip, with the abundance of fresh squash around right now.
It’s also cold season (aka soup season!), so I’ve got a chicken noodle soup recipe that will warm your soul. And finally, I've got dairy-free gingerbread spice muffins with apples, raisins, and walnuts.
Happy Cooking and good luck in adding a touch of "newness" to your home cooking and getting unstuck from your daily cooking routine.
Enjoy the season. Happy New Year, and all the best to you and your family in 2025!
Barb