Play Chef

Tuesday's Tip

Cooking at home can be difficult sometimes. It can be time consuming, you may not have all of the ingredients for a recipe, or maybe you're craving something from your favorite restaurant. In times like these, I like to play "Chef". My small kitchen turns into a state-of-the-art industrial sized kitchen where it is my responsibility to make deliciously nutritious food for everyone I'm serving (which is usually just my husband and me with an occasional friend or family member). My pantry turns into a huge warehouse full of great ingredients ready to be combined to create the perfect meal. It's also not the kitchen table anymore; rather, it's Jackie's Kitchen, a restaurant known for its tasty and healthy food offerings. There is, of course, a menu but only has one item on it- the item I am serving us for dinner. Instead of thinking that you are having chicken and vegetables (which sounds kind of boring, right?), you're serving up Wok Chicken Teriyaki- an Asian inspired special where chicken is tossed in a light teriyaki sauce with diced bell peppers and onions and served over a bed of brown rice. Sounds anything but boring now, right? I put on my apron and get to cooking, and I am instantly in character having a great time in the kitchen. When I tell my husband what the fancy name of the meal is, he gets excited, too, and wants to know more about the dish. I set the table as if we are at a fine dining restaurant as opposed to just eating at the kitchen table. The rule in our household is that whoever cooks does not have to clean, so you really will feel like you are at a restaurant at the end of the meal as your dirty plates and silverware will magically disappear. Put yourself in this mindset and play "Chef" next time you're struggling to get inspiration to cook at home!