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I draw inspiration for meal creations from a variety of sources. Restaurants are a wonderful one; what better place to be inspired than at the seat of a chef’s throne? Menus read like books to me, pages that teem with ideas that I can, well, steal.
With my recent life as an exception, I don’t actually eat out often. Instead, I file the concepts I might pass on a sidewalk restaurant billboard away for the future, when I might have those ingredients in my own cabinets. Tonight, I chose to recreate a meal I had actually experienced, but that I felt I could improve upon.
Back in Maine, my family kicked our week off at Gypsy Sweethearts, which served its purpose, but didn’t overly impress us as our other meals did and always do. I liked the sound of the dish I ordered, and I’ve been waiting to purchase a portobello mushroom for the sole purpose of attempting my own version.
It was an easy imitation: I simple whisked together a serving of my polenta and roasted the portobello and half a red bell pepper alongside.
I accompanied it with a salad of spinach, raw gruyere, and pumpkin seeds. I just realized I began my meal at Gypsy’s with a nearly identical salad. Subconscious, perhaps?
As I mentioned before, I am making an effort to only purchase organic dairy. This gruyere was both organic and unpasteurized (i.e. “raw”). It’s been a long, long time since I’ve had regular gruyere, so I can’t make much of a comparison. But this had a very strong, sharp flavor, and I really enjoyed it. A little went a long way.
I have some fresh herbs on hand, and I considered using them to create more of a “dish” with all the ingredients. But truthfully, all the natural flavors were delightful on their own. You all know how I always find my way back to simplicity.
Where do you get the inspiration for your meals?
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I read TONS of menus! I was just thinking at work today that I need to spend less time at home reading random menus and more time cleaning my house and organizing my life! I find so much inspiration out of it, and just reading the ingredients is so beautiful!
I had amazing blueberry and blackberry crepes the other day with a blueberry sauce on top! I just bought blueberries & blackberries in the store today and fully intend to recreate the dish!
I get my inspiration for meals by going to the grocery store. A lot of the produce inspires me–and walking around the cheese aisle. The flavors of produce and cheese usually make me think of fun, new meals. :)
It’s so much fun recreating restaurant dishes! My favourite is a simple grilled chicken and feta wrap with tzatziki… I don’t usually make feta when I recreate it, but LOVE eating it at home :D
I get inspiration from blogs, prepackaged foods (ie, I’ll see a combination I hadn’t thought of and make my own version), family recipes, etc :)
I get inspiration for meals from blogs, ingredients (like what Madison said), and meals out in restaurants. Usually the people I create meals with can outdo restaurant meals!