4 Unique Twists on Staple Foods

Food is the fuel that we all need to keep us going, but that doesn’t mean we consume food purely as a nourishment. True, some food groups are bland and boring, but with a little creativity from foodies, chefs and even parents, a necessity can turn into an exciting and fun treat for the taste buds. Here’s our pick of recipe ideas that will make you see staple foods in a whole new light!

Banana Boats

As a great source of potassium and energy, you’d think there isn’t much more you can get out of a banana – but you’d be wrong. You can turn this yellow boomerang from a healthy fruit to a sweet treat by simply cutting it lengthwise and adding whatever ingredients you wish into the middle. One of our favourites is putting vanilla ice cream, toffee sauce and a sprinkling of chocolate drops.

Fun Rice Shapes

It doesn’t come much more basic then rice, making it one of the more boring food groups to try and work with. But with its sticky texture once boiled, you can mould the rice into anything you like so you’re young kids will think it’s a treat they want to wolf down! Push the rice together after you have boiled it and make a little cartoon figure that can sit and relax on the side of your bowl of curry.

Casino Chip

A new way to twist on the classic ‘chip’, and it’s the perfect snack if you’re hosting a Las Vegas-themed party or having a few friends round for poker night… You’ll need to cut white potatoes into small circles and add sections of sweet potato to make them look like authentic red and white casino chip. You could even play roulette with them, although they’re much better served with ketchup!

Pacman Cakes

It is truly amazing what a little bit of icing can do to your baked treats, so adding a bit to any of your buns or cakes is highly recommended. So why not try make buns themed around everyone’s favourite arcade game character – Pacman. Simply use food colouring to bring your icing to life, roll it out and cut the shapes you need. Cutting the icing won’t be too hard, all you’ll need is a few different sized circles and a few ghostly shapes!

With simple foods, a little creativity can go a long way. Don’t give up on boring staples – think outside the box and you’ll end up with a delicious dish with the power to excite you and your guests. The most important thing when choosing a recipe is to think about who you’re cooking for and what would they like. Don’t worry about fancy ingredients – show your guests how much you can do with a simple, everyday ingredient and they’ll be bowled over.