Eating during a creative dry spell

[fresco]

Cooks, like writers, go through periods when the creative juices just don't flow. One option, of course, is to say the hell with it and just go out. But if you're the one who puts the meals on the table 24/7, what are the fallback dishes in your repertoire for those days when you're just too distracted or burned out to be inventive?

[tommy]

i'm in the middle of one. perhaps it's the summer, but i'm finding myself grilling a lot. some rosemary, or some other herb, evoo, and i'm done. can't wait til the funk ends and i get back on the stove, however.

[tejon]

When in doubt, I make up some dal and spiced basmati rice - both easy and tasty, but leaving room for whatever strikes me at the time.

[ballast_regime]

Nonfat yogurt with grape nuts.

[Carlovski]

Don't know about specific recipes, but there are specific motions I go through, while 'Thinking on my feet'.

Quite often my housemates find me chopping onions and Garlic, and say 'What you cooking', and I say 'I Don't know yet!'.

[KateW]

Chicken Helper

[fresco]

Quite often my housemates find me chopping onions and Garlic, and say 'What you cooking', and I say 'I Don't know yet!'.

Ah yes, carry water, chop vegetables. Meditate.

[Carlovski]

You are always part way there if you have some onions and garlic chopped. Even if it is only to have garlicky onions.

[maggiethecat]

Pasta Putannesca, heavy on the anchovies and capers.

And shoot me, but I like grated parm atop.

[bilrus]

My "I absolutely can't bring myself to make anything more elaborate" meal is a can of Goya black bean soup with diced sauteed onions and garlic, a half can of diced tomatoes, Cholula hot sauce served over Minute Rice with Garilc Salt and Butter. (I know, I know, but the rice is a memory from childhood that I just can't shake.)

[slkinsey]

Pasta Putannesca, heavy on the anchovies and capers.

And shoot me, but I like grated parm atop.

I think this is one of the few fish recipes where it is not taboo to grate some cheese over it. I mean, you're certainly not going to be obscuring any delicate flavors!

Personally, though, I like pecorino rather than parmigiano with this one.

[maggiethecat]

Personally, though, I like pecorino rather than parmigiano with this one.

You're right, pecorino would be better; I just happen to have parm on hand on a more regular basis.

[slkinsey]

Of course, adding grated cheese to a dish with anchovies, capers and olives is a bit like saying "have a little salt with your salt" -- but that's probably why I like it.

mmmmmmm... salt.

[beans]

pb&j's are my slump food of choice.

[Jinmyo]

Gohan (Japanese rice), miso shiru with silken tofu and baby spinach, takuan and gari pickles.

[jackal10]

Maccaroni, cheese (grated framhouse cheddar), Heinz Tomato Ketchup

[bloviatrix]

I tell my husband it's his turn to cook.

[alacarte]

good topic, fresco.

pasta salad, with spiral pasta, frozen mixed vegetables & canned kidney beans. total fallback food, no creativity required.

[fresco]

good topic, fresco.

Thanks. It was one of those bright ideas you get when you are totally uninspired.

[CityCook]

fried egg sandwiches with any kind of cheese and cayenne. olives from the jar. veggie burgers. my mom's tomatoes.

(on edit): yeah, really good topic!

Edited July 30, 2003 by bratt23 (log)

[howard88]

I tell my girlfriend; its her turn to cook.

[Schielke]

Chickpeas, diced tomatoes, canned tuna, garlic, onion sauteed with olive oil. Sprinkle with coarse salt and spray with EVOO

[guajolote]

Tuna salad with chopped pickles

Hot Dogs

Soft-shelled crabs

Burgers with tomato and lettuce

Pasta Salad

Grilled Corn

Conch Fritters

Deep Fried Squid

[maggiethecat]

Tuna salad with chopped pickles

Hot Dogs

Soft-shelled crabs

Burgers with tomato and lettuce

Pasta Salad

Grilled Corn

Conch Fritters

Deep Fried Squid

It's gonna be a long, long dry spell!

[MatthewB]

Tonight may have been uninspired but we're--ummm, might be she as I've flow of sympathy in my favor right now--going to do the recipe from today's Minimalist column.

Pasta, butter, fresh mint, cheese!