Baked Maple Dijon Salmon

Have you ever been stuck in a cooking rut? I have. Nearly every week I will cook one of my go-to dishes. Cooking those dishes is like wearing my favorite sweatshirt: worn, but comforting and dependable. Nothing wrong with eating the tried and true familiar dishes, but sometimes it's nice to change it up.

For me, cooking can feel like a chore when I've run out of ideas or feel a little burned out. For some people who feel uninspired, cooking becomes a routine that is best left to fast food drive-thru windows, dining out, or a frozen meal you can microwave in 15 minutes. Are there any parents relating to this? It's a great feeling to feel inspired or creative in the kitchen. But when the motivation is gone and all that is left is sheer will, sometimes I need a little bit of an attitude adjustment.

If you find yourself uninspired in the kitchen, I recommend taking a moment to think about a favorite meal you haven't enjoyed in a very long time. Try to use that thought to catapult you into cooking enthusiastically again. Today was one of those days I started to think about some of my kid's favorite foods that we havent enjoyed in a while. The next thing I knew, I was driving to the store to buy a nice piece of salmon. When I came home I whipped up a beautiful maple Dijon sauce that I knew would complement the salmon perfectly.

Everyone loved their dinner tonight, telling me I should make salmon more often. Sometimes getting out of a rut means stretching yourself beyond what's comfortable. Cooking for your family doesn't have to feel like a burden. It just takes a little attitude adjustment. And if you're fortunate, you'll be rewarded with great compliments, every home cook's crown of glory.