Getting Out of a Cooking Rut

This is a totally random post, but thought I'd share since this is notoriously one of the most difficult times of year to get inspired by cooking - at least in New England, where stocks of squash, onions, and cold-storage apples dominate the produce aisle.

My simple tip is add something different and slightly unusual to your grocery cart. In the last few weeks, I've gotten pineapple, sugar snap peas, pear infused vinegar, and uncured bacon. None of these are too off the beaten path, but individually, they aren't things that I'd usually pick up without a specific use in mind. But throwing something somewhat random into the mix is the perfect way for me to try new things, or remember old recipes I loved but haven't repeated for whatever reason.

In that last category, here are a few old favorites that I'm excited to make again soon:

• Warm butternut squash and chickpea salad
• Sugar snap pea and cucumber salad
• Nearly spring lamb stew
• Carrot and avocado salad
• Arctic char with gnocchi