There’s just something exciting about stepping out of your comfort zone and doing things out of the ordinary. These unexpected things shake up your routine and make life a little less boring. It’s human nature to always want to try something new, that's why when the latest iPhone is released, you’ll see a long list of people waiting for a chance to own the newest model, even if their existing phones are still working fine.
Fun to Keep Up with Trends
For the same reason, when there is a new luxury soap on the market, you’re excited to test it out to see if it will work wonders in giving you young, glowing skin. You just don’t want to rely on the
many product reviews out there. You want to "test drive" the items yourself and see if they actually work. There’s just something fun about keeping up with new trends.
And, of course, trying new food is one of the best experiences you can ever have. There’s just something fun about exploring food that has never grazed your taste buds before. The first time you try a new delicacy is always etched in your mind. Whether the result is good or bad, it will always be a fun memory that you can look back on.
New Menu in Your Home Kitchen
The best thing about trying new food is that it is not as expensive as the other experiences out there. In fact, you can even do it in the luxury of your own house. Creating new dishes right in your home kitchen is so much cheaper than eating out in a restaurant. And there’s something strangely satisfying about eating something that is the fruit of your labor.
Thanks to the advent of the internet, "Googling" or "YouTubing" a recipe is now so much easier. You can jot down the ingredient list and copy the procedures in great detail. Savvy add-ons, like products from
Monin, help in making your cooking escapade a breeze and ensures that the taste of your food is top-notch.
Two Must-Try Recipes
Now, here are two-must try recipes that contain fancy ingredients that don’t break the bank. They are not part of the usual dinner fare, so having this on your plate during a meal will make for an interesting experience. Both recipes have different flavor profiles, one is Italian and the other is Asian, but they share the same Monin ingredient that enhances the flavor of the dish.
The first must-try is a penne pasta, with prosciutto. On the get to, it seems quite ordinary and normal, but the addition of the hazelnut cream sauce kicks it up a notch. Here’s how you can get the Penne Pasta with Prosciutto and Hazelnut Cream Sauce done:
Ingredients
- 9 ounces penne pasta, cooked
- 1 cup hazelnut cream sauce (recipe below)
- 1 ounce prosciutto crisps
- 1 ounce roasted hazelnuts
- 1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh chives, chopped
- 1 ounce shaved parmesan or parmesan curls
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 6 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, shredded
- 4 tablespoons Monin Roasted Hazelnut Syrup
Procedure
This requires cooking the pasta and the cream sauce separately. Toss pasta and hazelnut cream sauce (see steps below) together in a mixing bowl until everything is coated. Place the pasta onto a plate and top with prosciutto and roasted hazelnuts. Garnish with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese.
As for the hazelnut cream sauce, melt the butter slowly in a sauté pan over low heat, then add the shallots and crushed pepper flakes. Bring to medium heat to fry these for a bit. Before the butter browns, bring back to low then stir in the cream and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Stir gently until everything has melted and the sauce is uniformly thick. The process is fairly fast taking 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in Monin roasted hazelnut syrup.
Next, up, try this Asian inspired Sichuan Ginger Noodle Dressing that is perfect for your salads and noodle dishes.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons Sichuan peppercorns
- 2 teaspoons allspice, whole
- 2 cups canola or vegetable oil
- ½ cup rice wine vinegar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons scallions, white part only, sliced
- 4 pumps Monin Ginger Concentrated Flavor
- ½ teaspoon Thai bird chili, sliced
Procedure
In a saucepan, add the garlic, peppercorns, allspice, and oil and simmer for 5 minutes. Pull from the heat and let cool off. When cool, blend the oil mixture together and strain. Set aside. Combine the rest of the ingredients in a bowl and mix them well, then slowly drizzle in the Sichuan oil that has been set aside. Be sure to whisk to emulsify the dressing. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. The two recipes above are from the Monin site.
You can also try these
innovative recipes for something new for dinner tonight. Trying something new is always a good idea. Indulge in your adventurous side and try these interesting dishes in your home kitchen.