Cereal, sandwiches, and casseroles – no matter what your tastes are, it’s no secret that many of us get stuck in a food rut. If you’re looking for a little culinary adventure to spice up your food life, consider these fun options:
Poke
It’s exciting, it’s Hawaiian, and it’s bound to stir up your taste buds. This combination of raw fish with fresh fruits and veggies can be dressed in a variety of sauces to suit many tastes. It might be traditional in Hawaii, but for everyone else, it’s a brand new treat.
Artisan Ice Cream
Most everybody loves chocolate and strawberry, but they’re not exactly setting the world on fire. Hip new ice cream makers are now producing it in flavors ranging from maple bacon to Sriracha. If new flavors aren’t enough, check out new textures like shaved snow or rolled ice cream. It’s a guarantee you’ll find something new for your freezer.
Ube
Filipino cuisine has been hot for the past couple of years, but there’s one gem that has been overlooked so far: Ube. It’s a bright purple yam with a distinctively sweet flavor that can now be found in everything from donuts to cheesecake. It might not have the comfort food flair of other Filipino favorites like lumpia or rice, but the color and flavor liven up every dish you add it to.
Steak
You might be wondering what’s new about steak. Well, it’s not the steak itself so much as the preparation. A visit to a new steakhouse like Viejas can make you look at that piece of meat in a whole new way. Whether it’s a fancy technique like sous vide or a novel flavor combination like a smoked citrus hollandaise, your taste buds are sure to perk up.
Fermentation
This one might sound a little icky, but it’s a traditional secret that breathes pungent new life into a wide variety of foods. You’re probably already familiar with fermented foods like sauerkraut and even kim-chi, but this technique is now being used on things like grains as well. To give it a shot at home, try adding fermented vegetables to something as simple as a turkey sandwich or savory waffle to add a modern kick.
New Condiments
For the simplest way to activate your taste buds, just add a stash of new condiments to your fridge. Sriracha is a favorite, of course, but new gems include a Korean fermented chili paste called gochujang and a savory black bean sauce from China. Even if you don’t have time to get crazy whipping up a whole new meal, you can boost your old favorites with just the squeeze of a bottle.
Whether you’re in the mood to liven up your standards, whip up a meal from scratch, or go out on the town to experience some new flavors, this list is sure to give you some ideas to refresh your taste buds.
