When you look online it may seem like everybody else is creating new meals every night and presenting a masterpiece for their family. Or maybe it's me you're looking at, always planning meals, cooking or baking.
But in reality most households repeat the same 10-15 meals each week, occasionally adding a new dish. We may have a huge saved folder of recipes on our phones, but do we make them everyday? No we really don't.
It's not that we are boring or don't like trying new foods, these meals are reliable or practical.
They might be quick and easy weeknight meals you can throw together in 15 minutes, or they might be one of the only dishes certain people in your house will eat. You stick with them because there's no time to experiment with food that may not be eaten.
There's also the confidence of familiarity. You can make these meals without thinking too much, even if you are following a recipe. You know it, you don't have to reread the instructions. Schittz Creek fans will know what I mean by "fold the cheese"!
Making a new recipe takes more time and focus, you’re reading instructions, second-guessing yourself, wondering, can I actually make this?
We are all in different seasons of life. Some seasons we have more space to explore new recipes, try new dishes, and spend weekends baking. Other times feel like we are running a race with no finish line in sight, we are quite literally in survival mode
There is times we have more space to find new recipes, cook new dishes and spend time on the weekends baking. But then there are those survival times were we need those 10-15 recipes in our back pocket so that we can just make our dinner and move on to the next task, we don't have the brain power to try something new.
In those moments, those 10–15 trusted recipes are invaluable. They get dinner on the table without stress, without brain drain and that’s completely ok.
A few recipes in my rotation are Beef Stroganoff, it's hearty, filling and one that is simpler to make then most realise. Crispy Chicken Burgers are one of my favourite things to eat there is something so nostalgic and delicious about a crumbed piece of chicken on a fresh crispy bread roll with fresh lettuce and mayonnaise. It's absolutely so simple yet so good for nights when you need something quick and easy.
Or when all else fails I will simply do Eggs on Toast which is an absolute classic of I don't know what to eat. I will usually bulk it out with some mushrooms and avocado if I have some on hand. Or if I feel like making something a little bit extra I make a Mediterranean breakfast wrap
Food and cooking doesn't always have to be a Masterchef experience, it can simply be the tried and trusted recipes we know and love.