I find it is more difficult to find the inspiration to whip up fresh and new dishes in the winter compared to summer. Is anyone else with me on that one? Maybe it’s the limited availability of fresh, seasonal ingredients. Or perhaps because I’d rather hibernate, sip hot tea, and gaze at the fluttering snow than push myself to new endeavors. Whatever the reason, I recognize that I’m becoming complacent. The oven has become my best friend to whip up every meal, roasted vegetable medleys my specialty, and I’ve eaten so much homemade soup that I’m about to turn into a boiled carrot!

But even complacency melts into boredom and I can only suppress the innovative juices for so long! I have once again rekindled the creative cooking fire in my soul this past week and began scribbling down new recipes. As a result, I determined to make a dish that is worthy of a spot on my summer menu: A flavorful mini-hamburger on a sweet potato “bun”, with sauteed peppers and onions, topped with tomato and hummus. Sounds delightful right? It was. I wasn’t sure how to make it happen, but as it turns out, the oven broiler can turn your ordinary sweet potato slices into delicious little bun replacements! A perfect grain-free option.