I’m experiencing writer’s block. A huge rut that is sinking my creativity with it. For the past few days, there has been almost zero interest in cooking, styling or instagramming.
Sporadic eats throughout the day. Very few interactions over social media. And I’m OK with the break. But I’m also beating myself up for not doing anything to eliminate this rut.
I love cooking/baking. And I get way too excited when it comes to plating and styling. But it’s not the same now. I’ve learn to accept that its OK to do something different.
Which is doing nothing at all 😉
It’s ok to not instagram every meal I’m consuming. It’s all about enjoying precious moments of life without technology. I think we all go through some sort of blocks in our lives. And it’s great to break out of a routined daily tasks.
That’s when simple and fresh food comes in. I find comfort in foods that won’t require slaving over hot stove in the kitchen. Simple and hearty tartines or sandwiches, salads, smoothies and freshly squeezed juices comes in handy too.
Makes 6 tartines
Ingredients:
- 1 lbs tomatoes on the vine
- pinch of salt & pepper
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 6 slices of bread
- 4 oz herbed goat cheese, softened
Basil oil
- 1 small bunch of fresh basil leaves
- hot water
- icy cold water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- pinch of black pepper
- zest of 1 lemon
- 3/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
- Preheat oven to “broil”.
- Add tomatoes, pinch of salt + pepper, 2 tbsp olive oil, balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Gently toss.
- Broil tomatoes on low between 20 to 25 minutes or until tomatoes are blistered.
- Blanch fresh basil leaves in some hot water for 15 seconds. Shock blanched basil leaves into cold water. Gently squeeze out liquid from basil leaves and add it into a food processor with salt, black pepper and lemon zest. Pulse to combine and gently stream in extra virgin olive oil to emulsify.
- Once tomatoes are broiled, allow it to come to room temperature.
- To assemble: Lightly toast bread slices. Slather on some goat cheese, cooled roasted tomatoes, a drizzle of basil oil, pinch of salt and pepper.
Off to make another tartine, read a gossip magazine and call it a day.
How do you get out of a rut?
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Beautiful photos, Kiran!
Jen @ Savory Simple recently posted..Espresso Coconut Ice Cream + a DeLonghi Nespresso #Giveaway
Jen — thanks so much, friend 🙂
I think a break is necessary here and there to be able to refresh your interest on blogging and cooking. Just take your time and start enjoying cooking without so much blogging and I am sure the rut will disappear!
Katerina recently posted..Spanakopita with Handmade Phylo
Katerina — thanks for the advise, friend. definitely makes a lot sense to take a small break 🙂
These tomatoes on the vine are beautifully shot. I am amazed, as usual. I believe it is normal to feel like escaping the blogger’s routine from time to time. Do not to feel guilty in doing so. A bigger piece of Life is out of these virtual walls where everything is shared with people we can’t really get to know, unfortunately.
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ recently posted..Cool Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream Recipe
Daniela — thank you and yes, taking a short break definitely does wonders 🙂
Love this! Gorgeous photos, Kiran! My advice on writers block: step away. Relax. It will go away. 🙂
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet recently posted..Chocolate Cherry Cake
Anna — thank you so much, friend 🙂
Lovely tartine! I get in those ruts sometimes.. and I do exactly what you do, I take a break. I go for a run, or read a good book. Being outside helps me the most!
Yvonne @ bitter baker recently posted..Cinnamon granola
Yvonne — thank you and great tips!
the pictures of the roasted tomatoes is making my mouth water. This looks incredibly delicious
Kitchen Belleicious recently posted..Back to School Gift: Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Monster Cookies
Jessica — haha, thanks a lot friend 🙂
I love Goat Cheese and this looks like something I will eat till the last bite. Stunning pictures!!!
P.S. It is indeed okay to take a break from technology. You will be back when you are ready! (:
Tanvi — thank you. you are way too sweet! xoxo
Ohhh yummm…my kind of sandwich! As to how to get out of a rut?…haven’t figured that one out yet!
Ina gawne recently posted..PESTO ZUCCHINI CAKES
Ina — thanks! i think taking a short break is a must!
Don’t we all go through the times? and even after that you have come up with a beautiful perfectly summery post! Love it! and I can’t even keep up with the social media forget instagramming all the meals! Escape and come back!
Soma recently posted..Mangsho-r Halka Jhol: Light and Easy Mutton Curry
Soma — great advise about escaping and come back 🙂
breaks, ruts, and no inspirations happens quite often with me..I would love to take some break from the technology though. I just scroll through tastespotting, read a food magazine with amazing pictures and go to the farmers market when Im running out of ideas and inspirations.
dixya| food, pleasure, and health recently posted..Baked Kale Chips | Out & About
I completely get needing to take a break. Blogging is an overwhelming life at times and so important to just relax, step away and enjoy doing other equally or even more meaningful stuff. Away from all the woulda, shoulda, coulda’s. Love these simple and beautiful tartines, a perfect way to unwind. Yum.
Maria | Pink Patisserie recently posted..Heirloom Tomato, Sweet Corn and Thyme Tart
A break is definitely necessary, we all go through that, it will go away.
Love goat cheese and this is such a simple and elegant snack/meal.
Ash-foodfashionparty recently posted..SPICED WALNUTS with Balsamic and Curry Powder
Kiran: I feel the same sometimes…There were weeks that I had to force myself to make something for my blog. There are times that one is so exhausted that a break is necessary to recharge the batteries.I love the simple recipe. The simple things are the best, don’t you agree?!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You recently posted..X-Tudo — The Brazilian Burger on Steroids… and a $ 100 Giveaway.
I think you are doing exactly what you need to do…let go of all the technological “burdens” and just embrace the simple pleasure of a good meal. I know that this helps me! And these tartines? Just gorgeous. Thank you for sharing my friend!
Monet recently posted..Banana, Cherry, and Roasted Cinnamon Bread Pudding
Don’t worry, you are not alone! I have been experiencing the same thing since a while now… Relax and take a break. I’m sure your blogging mojo will come back soon.
Lovely tartines and pictures!
Cheers,
Rosa
We all go through times of no inspiration and writers block. I’ve learnt to not beat myself over it and just enjoy the rest. Great thing there is that during that rest, you come up with some great ideas.
These tartines are a great idea.
Nazneen
Coffee and Crumpets recently posted..Date Ma’amouls
Your photos are stunning (as always)! And this tartine is the perfect mashup of two of my all-time favorite ingredients. YUM!
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste recently posted..Fig, Prosciutto and Burrata Cheese Salad
Happens with me all the time.. But I guess the sight of those beautifully roasted tomatoes and the aroma would be enough for me to get back to my senses and tell the world about these tomatoes. 😛
They look absolutely delicious. 🙂
Charul @ Tadka Masala recently posted..Mysore Rasam
What a simple and beautiful dish Kiran…the photos are awesome, as usual…
Hope you are having a fun week 😀
Juliana recently posted..Kimchi Rice
I get writers block all the time! I find it helpful to step away for a while and come back later. It helps clear the mind. Your photos are always gorgeous. And I’m salivating just looking at it. Love roasted tomatoes and goat cheese on crusty bread. YUM!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker recently posted..Garlic Chipotle Cheesy Bread
Loved the last picture!!! I know exactly how it feels about the block, it happens to me too :(…but it is not persistent, will get over it.
I love everything about you. And my liking is increasing at an alarming rate! Creepy!
Thanks for producing my kinda dish this time around 🙂
Nusrat Azim recently posted..First Date. Potato Cakes
I am always so blown away by your photos. So gorgeous!
I definitely think it’s okay to take breaks every once in a while. Even if you earn money from this, it has to be enjoyable and inspiring… otherwise, what are we doing?
Andi Houston recently posted..The Less Respectable Legume- Cow Peas
I certainly go through phases like this and it’s definitely okay to take a step back when it does happen. It’s the best way to recharge your creative batteries. This tartine is really so lovely.
Kathryn recently posted..kamut and maple syrup chocolate chip cookies
I adore roasted tomatoes, such a scrumptious tartine! As for a block, I usually try to get out of the kitchen for a few hours (or a few days) and do something else that feeds my soul (running, reading by the pool, photography practice) until inspiration returns!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..peaches & cream popsicles
looks great and don’t feel the pressure to post enjoy life on and of social media, I tweet a lot as need to chat as with kids all day 🙂
rebecca recently posted..Puerto Rican Foods to Try
I know these feelings well. But to look at this gorgeous, fresh tartine, one would never ever know. So pretty!
Elizabeth recently posted..peach slab pie
Sounds like you need a break. Or if you don’t want to take a complete break from blogging, try writing about something new – review one of your favorite cookbooks, for example. Or some nifty piece of kitchen equipment that you own. Or just make more of this great tartine! One bite of this would get me eager to write and photograph!
john@kitchenriffs recently posted..The Scorpion Cocktail
I’ve been making something similar… just need to post it if the pictures came out well. Your pictures are beautiful. I hear ya on the technology thing, but I’m addicted. 🙂
Honey What’s Cooking recently posted..Brinjal Coconut Pulao (Eggplant Coconut Rice w/spices)
As always, your photos and food styling are fabulous.The tartine look so inviting!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Oven Roasted Balsamic Beetroot with Tapenade and Fenugreek Leaves
Damn, girl, you’re making me want to roast some tomatoes at midnight! Looks SO good!
By the ways, you’re experiencing what many of us seem to be experiencing… I think it might be a summer thing. It never happens in the winter because we’re stuck at home with nothing to do, but cook. And eat. 😀
Kate@Diethood recently posted..White Sangria Recipe
i so hope your writer’s block will pass, as this happy blog is one of my favourites! at least I find similarity in what you enjoy, as I too love goat cheese and grilled tomatoes, only probably not as pretty as this 🙂
jehanne@thecookingdoctor recently posted..Spicy Red Lentil Soup
Congratulations Kiran! Your blog wins an award on IBA 2013
Hemal Shah recently posted..Happy Independence Day to all of you!
As you can see from all the comments, we all go through the same thing. Summer is about taking life a little slower and enjoying the simple pleasures that that come with it. Step back and enjoy a little break. Love the beautiful photos of your delicious looking tartine.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..A Splash Of Summer Color
We all need a break sometimes – a change in pace and scenery 🙂
I have no doubt you will be back in full force soon -and putting out more recipes like this! I love roasted tomatoes but have never used balsamic on them before! Yum!
Take a break, it helps to recharge. The photographs as always look gorgeous.
Nik@ABrownTable recently posted..champagne and peach sorbet
Social what? Just joking! I have never been active in any social media really… I cannot make myself start it. I’m out of time 🙂 I struggle too much with my “basic” old-fashioned blogging activity…
Your tartines look beautiful! Goat cheese is my everyday fare (I have it on crunchy bread very often in the morning: one of the rare breakfasts I can swallow…) and of course tomatoes are the goat cheese’s best friend. Basil oil sounds excellent too. It’s such a Mediterranean snack…
Sissi recently posted..Hungarian Pattypan Squash Stew (Patiszonos Lecsó)
I hear you! I think all this technology and social media isn’t good for us. I know that since I’ve been using less of it I’ve been feeling a whole lot better.
Stunning tartines. I absolutely adore cherry tomatoes. I love that last shot, so beautiful!
Jennifer @ Delicieux recently posted..Quinoa risotto (quinotto) with roasted cherry tomatoes
Writer’s blok comes and go. It will pass 🙂 Beautiful pictures!
Marta@What should I eat for breakfast today recently posted..Green shake = health in a glass
I’ve had terrible writers block lately too. I think it must mean we need to enjoy the last bit of summer and take a break from blogging. 😉 Lovely tartines!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies recently posted..Recipe | Sneaky Green Apple Fruit Leather
Wonderful post, pictures and recipe. Your food always looks terrific.
carolinaheartstrings recently posted..CHICKEN TACO PIZZA
I think you are right, sometimes you do get into a block/rut. I like to shut down and not do anything for 3-4 weeks, It really helps me bring back my creative urge.
On another note, if with a block you can get so creative with a camera, I wonder the end result when you are brimming with creativity.
love the photographs
simi recently posted..My most memorable cup of coffee!
Sometimes we need a break – as we constantly work (and same routine) and you need to step aside, but when you return, I know you’re recharged and have something great to share. 🙂 Beautiufl tartine, Kiran!
Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Somen そうめん
The dilemma of a food blogger – writer’s block, recipe creativity block, and technology overload. I’m glad I’m not the only person who experiences this. You’re right. It’s okay to take a break. In fact, I believe it increases creativity. 🙂
Kristi Rimkus recently posted..National Can-It-Forward Day and a Ball Canning Supplies Giveaway
I definitely understand the writer’s block thing. Sometimes we just need to step back and let out minds and souls relax and not put so much pressure on ourselves. Take it easy and have fun! I love the way you relax with this delicious tartine! Perfect time of the year for roasted tomatoes and basil! Love your photos!
mjskit recently posted..Serving Up Calabacitas at Ang Sarap
I’ve recently felt stuck, and I’m a new blogger for crying out loud ! I think you do what you do and inspiration comes when it does. Its when you try to force it, that it doesn’t work. All I did was kept reading other blogs, and I found the inspiration creeping back……
Your pics are beautiful.
Archana @ FeedingThefoodie recently posted..Mung Bean Sprout & Chickpea Tostada with Cilantro Chimichurri
Waw, a lovely tasty recipe! I can use home-grown basil & home-grown cherry tomatoes in here: double yum!!! x
Sophie recently posted..Vegan tasty aubergine scrambled tofu wraps , with a gluten-free option! 🙂
It really is great sometimes to do nothing! In fact I have a fridge magnet that keeps reminding me of it time and again. It says `it is sometimes beautiful to do nothing…and then rest afterwards!!’ 😉
Love the brightly lit pics and a comforting tartine.
easyfoodsmith recently posted..Celebrating the 100th post of the EFS Blog – CHILI VANILLA YOGURT PANNACOTTA w/ CHOCOLATE SAUCE
This looks amazing and one of my favourite summer dishes!! Love how you’ve styled it too!
juliana loh @bilbaobab recently posted..Eating Out: Marble Courtyard George V Paris
Totally get where you are coming from with the writers block thing ! I seem to go through periods of not wanting to do anything (except eat things of course) but then I get back in to it and I enjoy it so much I always think “what was the problem?”. I honestly think it does take dedication to the love of food and it is an effort at times, but so rewarding at the same time. And thank goodness you are doing this, because i love your photos and recipes !
Carolyn Chan recently posted..Cauliflower Soup