Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I had a stint of this a while ago, and honestly, it's a strange phenomenon to go through when you're a foodie...it's seems to just be against everything we believe in and hold dear. But alas, it does happen to the best of us. What I do to try and get out of the funk is sit down and really think about what I would eat if I could eat ANYTHING I wanted, and then I go from there. Sometimes when you really think about what you're "in the mood for" or "craving" then it will give you the impetus you need to get out there and make it. The other day I did the same thing with my 9 year old son, I said, "If you could pick your favorite meal for a special treat, what would you pick?" and he picked beer battered tilapia with this orange/cilantro/sirracha sauce that he likes...so I did that. Maybe you have a craving for "special" seafood...go out and treat yourself to a few King Crab legs...boil 'em up with some Old Bay, chop up some garlic and put it in melted butter, and have yourself a treat. Do something "special" for yourself and your family...something out of the ordinary. Break free. Have fun!

You bet I lost my job at the same time (happens every decade I get pneumonia) and this time I didn't take drugs for it. Now I am recovering from exhaust (poor immune system) have not been able to eat in weeks. This year for my favorite holidays is not going too well. So I am singing the blues as well

I don't cook for a family, just myself, so if i'm feeling blue and don't want to cook, I pick up a few appetizer-y things such as crostini, marinated artichoke hearts, marinated mushrooms, some really awesome sausage and cheeses that I wouldn't normally buy, olives, hummus etc., and chill with a bottle of wine and have a party for "one". It makes me feel decadent and spoiled and i'm able to return to the kitchen with a renewed spirit!

I go to a new grocery store and browse the aisles for things I haven't used before. If it's an ethnic market or some specialty store, that's even better, but even a new branch of the old chain sometimes helps, because things are in different places, and all of a sudden I'm staring at some ingredient I haven't used before.

Or I go to a cooking supply store and buy a new pan or gadget -- either one I don't have, or a better one than a crappy one I've been putting up with. Then I'm usually so into the idea of using the new whatever that I start thinking up things to do with it. So instead of just peeling the carrots (for example) I make lovely ribbons to put onto my salad.

Or I go to a bookstore, or better yet, the local used boostore (because it's soooo cheap) and I browse the cookbooks. If there's one that's appealing, I might buy it, or I might just browse and come away with some ideas.

Hmmmm....basically I guess I'm saying that I start looking for something new to use that will jumpstart my cooking jones again.

Usually this sort of thing happens to me towards the end of a season...I'm tired of grilled food, but it's still not cold enough to bake all day. Or I's sick of soups and stews but the lettuce still looks sad and the spring veggies haven't arrived.

At this time of the year, I'm usually thinking about what kinds of cookies I'm going to make for Christmas, which is an easy way to get me into the kitchen.

If making new things doesn't get you going, maybe thinking about really old recipes that you haven't made in a long time will get you going. Or trying to recreate things that your mom made when you were a kid.

Or, make some stuff specifically to give away. Cookies to bring to work, for example, or something for the neighbors or someone else who would appreciate it.

I go through this every once in a while and I read a lot of blogs and visit se to help give me ideas. I also make premade foods and since i don't like them i think oh i can do this better. I ordered a bunch of pizza for a WEEK and now I really hate pizza! So I guess I had a bonus side point! :)
You could always make something you have never made before that seemed decadent before- it might work?

Not to be discouraging, but sometimes a funk like this can last for years, especially when cooking has become a necessary chore that *must* be done, rather than something you do for primarily for the pleasure of doing it. For instance, if you've got a job, and you're the one doing most of the housework, and you're the one doing most of the childrearing, and you're the one responsible for getting a nutritious dinner on the the table. Every. Single. Night. Well, that can take the joy out of cooking, you know? (yes, i'm speaking from personal experience)

If that's the case, you need to change the routine. Get some help with one or all of the above, if at all possible. If you have kids who are old enough, involve them in the cooking ritual. Hire somebody to clean the house so you can feel rested enough to just cook for the fun of it.

On the other hand, maybe that's not your situation. In which case you've probably just sort of lost your steam momentarily, as happens with most people who have a passion. Even the most gifted and prolific painters and writers and inventors go through dry spells. Sometimes, very lengthy ones.

I agree with the idea that this is usually not the best time to be trying to find something new. In my experience, it's best to go with the flow. If nothing sounds good, don't cook if that works for your budget. Eat out, do takeaway, make PB&J -- you'll get sick of that eventually. When you do eat in, do as has already been suggested: Stick with simple, routine stuff that you can do blindfolded.

Basically, cut yourself some slack and take the pressure off. Trying to *make* yourself want to do it is counterproductive, and will only make it worse. If the passion is real, it will come back. You've just got to recharge and be patient. These things need to follow their own course.

@Jerzee--how did I know you would say Wegmans? I agree the produce department will do wonders, particularly if you sniff every thing that looks good. Sometimes the nose will lead you to the right thing. Hmm, do I smell Weggies artisan breads?

this happens to me all the time - usually i just wander around the little gourmet-ish grocery store under my building to try to get some new ideas. like last night, i had no idea what i wanted for dinner, so i went to wander. the portobellos looked good, so i took a few of those. then they had a thing of cut up peppers and onions, and i thought "OH FAHITAS!." so basically, sometimes all it takes is looking around for a little inspiration! good luck!

Thank you everybody for giving me hope and boosting me up! I needed that. It is getting better but I think I do crave something. I have been craving something for quite some time but I can't figure out what it is.

@ Pavlov - I don't know if I will go to that length but thank you! that did make me smile.

We don't have Wegmans where I live but we do have Whole Foods. Also there are a lot of oriental markets around so I do go to one of those at least twice a month. I will let it go and wait for my passion for cooking to come back. We have been eating out a lot and also doing take outs. I was hoping that whatever is bugging me would go away and I am my old self again. No chance for that happening yet. I think maybe it's the holiday! Too much festivities going on and I just don't wan to be in the kitchen. That's got to be it!!!! Again thank you everybody for your good advice. I will just chill and take it easy!!

Yes, we ARE sage aren't we.

this is a lifesaver moment.

thanks so much everyone! I don't know what I would do without you guys!! SE posters rock!!

@sira73.... I'm glad my own brand of sick twisted humor can let a little sunshine in.... when others laugh..... it keeps the voices in my head quite.