No groundhog stew for me

Photo: Contributed

Do you ever get bored with your food? Tired of cooking the same meals at home, or even ordering the same thing from your favourite restaurants whenever you go? There is nothing wrong with familiar comfort foods, but with Groundhog Day approaching I keep thinking of Bill Murray and his infernal loop of reliving the same day in Punxsutawney.

Bill Murray’s character discovers very quickly that going all out is not the solution to get out of his time loop. As much as we might love our cozy winter favourites, eating poutine, stew, pasta, or even cauliflower wings all winter won’t make us feel better in the spring.

We don’t have to try peanut butter and dill pickle sandwiches every week, though I did appreciate the comments from those willing souls last week. This time I’m taking a more moderate approach, with a few traditional but varied suggestions for your winter menus.

First, try getting out of the house. A change of scenery will do you good and might inspire you for ideas to cook at home. If you can manage it before Feb. 2, you can take advantage of the Dine Around Okanagan promotion that many restaurants participate in every winter.

Next, try using the internet for finding a recipe that’s not smothered in cheese. We’ve all seen the videos of those over-indulgent casseroles and stuffed bits of dough oozing melted cheese, and that’s all fine while you’re watching the Superbowl. But making one of those recipes part of your regular repertoire means you should kick up your gym schedule at least one notch, so how about something a bit healthier? 

Here are my favourite websites to prowl, that do still have plenty of cheese:

• The Kitchn – Even though they spell their name oddly, I love that they often comment and even review recipes and often have a group of similar recipes, so you can find what fits with your style of cooking.
• Smitten Kitchen – Deb Perelman has been posting recipes online for a long time, and she is full of ideas. Lots of pictures here to show steps, and she is an honest home cook so she will give her opinion. There is a large vegetarian section… she does amazing things with squash.
• Barefoot Contessa – I’ve been following Ina Garten since she opened her shop in the Hamptons back in the 1980s. Many of her entertaining recipes are in the old Martha Stewart style (I think it goes with the neighbourhood) but her website lists recipes under Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, and she has a whole heading called Weeknight Dinners.

Last, try an old family favourite. I don’t mean last week’s favourite; I mean the recipes that grandma or Aunt Sophie made. Work to keep your family traditions alive and engage your kids in the process (cajoling friends to join in is encouraged, too). Whether there are recipes from the heritage of your family or a coveted recipe that has a secret ingredient or method, these gems need to be kept alive through experience. Write them down, document them in pictures and videos, and share them with loved ones so they can remain a part of your cherished family legacy.

Bill Murray does end up living happily ever after in Punxsutawney, but only after he realizes that he needs to get out of the rut and improve himself. He also discovers he must share his passions with others and participate in the world at large. This Groundhog Day don’t worry about the rodent’s shadow – consider whether you are chasing your own. Starting with a fresh item on the menu might be a good place to shake that habit.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.