So this is what I cooked tonight. I started with the chicken because, honestly, it expired today. Very practical choice. That’s already a constraint. You start with one thing you have to use and build around it. I didn’t want the chicken to be dry, so I knew I needed a sauce. Then I remembered there was an avocado in the fridge that was also about to go bad. So I used it to make a kind of smashed avocado sauce. Because avocado is quite fatty, I added some lemon to balance it out, and seasoned it with salt. Simple. Then I wanted some crunch, so I added fried onions. At that point, I felt the dish was missing acidity. The chicken is more umami, deep and meaty. The avocado brings fat and softness. But I wanted something brighter. That’s where the tomato came in. I also added feta, which is one of my favorite cheeses and brings a nice acidity and lightness. Then I wanted to go back to deeper notes, so I added paprika. The carrots were just boiled, nothing fancy, just a nice vegetable on the side. And honestly, it was something the kids would eat. It still felt creative and free, but very approachable. It took me maybe 15 minutes to make. Very simple dinner. But I felt joyful and creative while cooking it. That’s the kind of thing I mean.Maybe something you could try too. Let me know how it goes.