For years I thought I hated fish because I hadn’t eaten any fish that wasn’t stinky and gross. I’m pretty sure the McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish had something to do with this (and I'm not optimistic on the Fish McBites). Still, eventually, someone offered me a bite of their fish, with LOTS of promises that it was delicious, and I gave it a try.

I’ve never been the same since!

You may have had a similar experience - if not with fish, then with a new vegetable, or style of dish. As a result, you may simply stick with the “sure things” when ordering from a menu – chicken, meat, potatoes, pasta, etc.

I get why people default to what they know, but it always makes me kind of sad for them. I feel as if they’re missing out on SO much goodness when they still make selections like a kid. And so I want to offer a few simple ideas for how to branch out, experiment, and discover new foods!

Decide in advance to branch out

Approach eating with a reckless attitude. You are risking A MEAL, not your life’s savings. Food is one of the lowest risk areas of your life where you can stretch and experiment. Walk into your ordering choice with a “devil may care” attitude and enjoy the adventure.

Eat with someone whose taste you trust

Sometimes people who eat everything don’t understand there needs to be a ramp-up for those who are less adventurous. They may mean well when they tell you to order the salmon, but that’s because they’ve forgotten that salmon has a distinctive flavor that, most of the time, is not the easiest entry point for new fish eaters. Find someone who remembers being averse to new foods and ask them for recommendations.

Try little bites

When you’re out with friends and someone asks if you want to try a new dish, say "yes" every time. Every. Time. Think of it as a polite thing to do. No reason not to try a little bite. In the example below, we were at a Korean restaurant and some of the people didn't dig the kimchi at first, but after a few little bites were won over!!

Split dishes

Eat with someone who is also interested in trying new food and order one “safe” dish and one new one. Talk about low risk! Or, if you want to fast-track your experiments, order a few items from the appetizer menu. Easy peasy!

Experiment in non-chain restaurants

Large kitchens that are cooking for the masses are cooking for quantities and not necessarily quality. Small restaurants take personal pride in what they serve, so opt for off-the-beaten-path as often as possible. I’m about as adventurous as they come, but if I’m at Chili’s, I'll be sticking with food that any cook can make.

A few ideas

If you don’t have someone whose advice you trust, here are a few ideas to get you going.

Starters – Salads are great options for throwing in an new ingredient or two. Never cared for feta cheese? Get a salad with some tossed in the mix. Unsure of dates or figs? Order a salad where they will blend in with ingredients you DO like. Vegetables – when in doubt, think “roasted.” Roasted veggies are the most mellow way to prepare a vegetable. Cauliflower, Parsnip (white carrots), or Brussels Sprouts are good “gateway” vegetables.

Fish – If you don’t eat fish, don’t start with salmon, swordfish, tuna or shellfish. Start with something white and flaky. Ask your server if they have a mellow white fish and if possible, get it grilled. The next best option is sautéed. Make sure the sauce on the fish sounds like something you’d like. If you dislike olives, don’t order a whitefish with a sauce that has olives. The sauce can make or break the fish, so experiment with the fish, not the sauce (at this point!).

Don’t give up

Most people give up trying new foods too early. You aren’t going to fall in love with anything new immediately. Keep going back and trying again! Expanding your palate may take time, but it’s worth it!

What are your steps for trying new foods?

Bravely Trying New Foods