Sometimes I get into a subconscious routine where I make the same 3-4 dishes all the time. agh. I get kitchen block and literally can't think of any other dishes. I read an article a while back that said when people try something new it triggers the same brain activity in the brain as it would when someone is falling in passionate new love. That feeling of excitement and happiness is achieved by something as simple as trying something different. And it doesn't have to be something over the top and crazy, but even something as simple as trying an unfamiliar vegetable, cooking an exotic dish, trying a foreign restaurant, reading a new book, driving home using an unexplored route, watching a different show, meeting new people, playing a different sport, you get the idea. It could be a simple change that makes you feel new and refreshed. Since reading that article I try to make a conscious effort of pushing myself out of my comfort zone and trying something new, so obviously when I start to recognize that I'm getting into a kitchen routine I immediately do two things; 1) call my mom, and 2) go to pinterest.
I'll usually find a vegetable and a protein that I have at home and first i'll ask my mom what she thinks I should make. (Which is how I came about making this dish) If my mom and I are both having kitchen block, I then turn to Pinterest. In the search bar I'll type in my vegetable and protein and see what comes up. Trying new recipes, especially ones that end up tasting amazing is such a fun feeling!
This particular dish actually happens to be a favorite of mine that I've somehow forgotten about and haven't made in a while! I have a feeling its going straight into my subconscious of routine dishes to make in the next few weeks lol. Its simple, it's tasty, and its healthy (if you choose to bake the eggplants of course :) The texture of the slightly crunchy chickpeas against the soft flavorful eggplant is so good!
