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Step 1
Make dinner a multi-course meal, even if it is all prepackaged. Start with soup or a small salad, follow with a main course and incorporate a light desert. Avoid overdoing it by using small portions for each course.
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Step 2
Dress up the table. Set the table with a classy table covering and placements. Use cloth napkins and avoid disposable dishes and flatware.
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Step 3
Trade off cooking responsibilities. Rotate nights with your spouse or partner or even older kids. Keep the planning quiet and make the meal a surprise.
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Step 4
Watch cooking shows and make notes of interesting recipes and ideas to try later. Recipes are often available online so it isn’t necessary to scramble to mark down ingredients during the show. Browse or buy new cookbooks. Thrift stores are a fantastic place to get barely used cookbooks on the cheap.
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Step 5
Bring hot lunch to work or school. Recreate last night’s leftovers into something new. Leftover grilled steak or chicken can find a new life in fajitas or stew. Extra salad can get shredded into taco or wrap filling.
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Step 6
Start a weekly theme night. Select one night each week for theme night. The food and table settings should share a common trait. Themed nights can run the gamut, from color based themes to ingredient based themes. They don’t have to be restricted to a specific type of cuisine or geographical origin.
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Step 7
Try something new. If you've never eaten Thai food, give it a whirl. Or try a new take on an old favorite. Make pizza with whole wheat or spelt flour. The best way to avoid a rut is to try new ideas.
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Step 8
Consult a dietitian, especially if the food rut is related to dietary restrictions. A dietitian can generate a list of new foods to try and foods to avoid.
