Tired of the same menus? Add to your repetoire!

How often do you try a new recipe?  If you are bored with the same menu every week, you might try a new recipe once a week.
First, select a day of the week that works best for you to not be stressed and when you have time to cook.  It might not be the same day every week, but it is an easy way to reach the goal of trying out new recipes and new foods.

Second, start making notes of recipes you would like to try.  You might look through cookbooks, magazines, websites, or ask friends for recipes.  You can write down the information (Recipe title and source), you can print recipes from websites, or you can make copies that you keep in a file. 

I use 3 ring binders to store many of the recipes I make again and again.  It also makes meal planning easy to have the recipes we like in a separate book.

When you determine which recipe you want to try, you can make your shopping list.

Once I have succeeded with a recipe, and everyone in my household approved of it, I type it up and put on my computer as a back up.  This also makes it easy to make changes if I want to remember to do something different the next time. 

I have several books of my "tried and true" recipes.

Next, learn how to get everything ready to make the most of your time and effort.
1.  Read the entire recipe and think through the steps.
2.  Gather the ingredients you will need.
3.  Gather the equipment necessary: bowls, pans, spoons, measuring equipment, knife and cutting board.
When this is all in front of you, or within reach, you are ready to start.

Now, Get Cooking!