Playing with my Food!

 You guys have probably figured out by now that I am not one that tends to follow the rules of cooking!  I like to switch up recipes, add and take away things, and just play with my food.  I get bored with the same old thing.

There really aren't a ton of rules.  I just wing it.  My mom hardly ever used recipes and I am the same way.

So today, there are just a few ideas of playing with your food and changing things up a bit.  Don't like an ingredient?  Change it to something you like!

TUNA CASSEROLE

I know many people who refuse to eat this.  I truly have always liked it.  I doubt I ever make the same way twice.

Don't like tuna?  OK - use chicken, turkey, ham, or whatever you have.  You can add veggies and make it a one pot meal.  I like to add frozen peas, or broccoli.  Add what you like.  You can also add cheese or top with cheese.  I like to use a topping of crushed chips or crushed flavored crackers or unsweetened cereal flakes crushed - you can use breadcrumbs.  Gives it a nice textured topping.

PASTA SALAD

Oh goodness, this is a great one to play with.  No rules at all.  Along with your pasta (whatever type you use) throw in any kind of veggie you want.  Broccoli, peas, cauliflower, radish, tomato, carrot, celery, olives, chopped pickle, cucumbers, zucchini - you name it.  You can add chopped meat as well.  Dressing?  Whatever floats your boat.  You can make your own or use bottled or a combo of different types.  I like a combo of Italian and Ranch.  I also love to throw in sunflower seeds to the salad for a nutty flavor.

You can also use fruit - apples and nuts make a tasty salad ingredient.  I like those along with chopped celery and a creamy dressing - super good with pasta.

HAVE FUN

Use your food in new ways.  Bell peppers are great stuffed and baked.  Mmmmmmm

Think about stuffing them with meatloaf mix and baking.  How fun - self-contained meatloaf.

I like using peppers for dip containers at get togethers.  They are cute and they can be eaten when the party is over!!!

ITALIAN BREAD

Use as garlic bread, bruschetta, French toast, pizza, so many things can be made with a little imagination!!

BACON GREASE

No meat - no problem.  You can make gravy using a little bacon grease to make your rue, and it gives it great flavor.  Fry potatoes, squash, green tomatoes, okra, anything at all - in bacon grease for extra flavor.  Use as a flavoring in beans.  You can have that meat flavor without using meat or using very little meat.  It is gold in a jar at my house!  

TEA - flavoring

I like iced tea.  I get tired of it just plain.  Sure, I have a few flavored tea bags - but mainly keep those for hot tea in the winter.  You can flavor iced tea with all kinds of things and it tastes like those expensive bottles you can buy!  Fruit juice - any kind you desire.  OJ, grape, apple, lemon, even juice from watermelon (that is tasty).  You can use Kool-Aid.  Mint or lemon balm or any herb you desire.

I sometimes brew my tea with apple peels, or slices of oranges in the mix.  You could throw in peach peels - you name it - you can use it to flavor.

COOKIE BOWLS

These are fun and easy to make.  They are great for a special treat.  Great for ice cream or pudding bowls.  Kids like them, and they make a fancy creation for adults as well.

Just flip over that muffin tin - grease - and apply cookie dough.  Bake as usual!  Fun food!

Have gravy or sauces left?  No need to throw them out.  Freeze in ice cube trays.  Once frozen pop them out and place in a freezer bag - and now you have instant flavor for another dish - no waste.  Great for soups or casseroles.

What are some of your tricks and hacks?  I love getting new ideas.  Let us know some of your PLAYING around with traditional food!  

Food can be FUN!