10 Ingenious Ways to Upgrade Everyday Foods

Dana Velden
Dana Velden
Dana Velden's first book, Finding Yourself in the Kitchen: Kitchen Meditations and Inspired Recipes from a Mindful Cook (Rodale Books) is available where ever books are sold. She lives in Oakland, CA.
updated May 1, 2019
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(Image credit: Maria Siriano)

Sometimes you just don’t have the time or budget to get fancy with your food, but that doesn’t mean you can’t eat well (and have some fun, too!). We took several popular snacks and other foods — from corn dogs to broccoli to frozen waffles — and found 10 ways to upgrade them with simple additions and garnishes.

(Image credit: Maria Siriano)

You know them as green beans, string beans, or snap beans, terms used interchangeably to refer to the long, green-hued beans that flood the markets every year in early fall. Once you’ve had your fill of plain beans, let us help you give this side dish the upgrade it deserves. These may be unexpected combinations you haven’t considered before, but they work in a surprising and satisfying way.

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Instant ramen is a hot and satisfying meal that takes as long as waiting for the water to boil. But sometimes you want to mix it up; with some choice picks, one or two ingredients added to the bowl is enough to make your fast meal of noodles and broth feel a little fancy. From a swirl of peanut butter to the requisite egg on top, here are 1o simple hacks to help you upgrade instant ramen.

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Muffin mix is a blank canvas ready and willing to take on just about any variation you can imagine. All it takes is a little inspiration and a couple ingredients that you probably have in the kitchen right now. From sweet and savory, to creamy and crunchy, here are 10 simple mix-ins to instantly upgrade muffin mix.

(Image credit: Andrea D’Agosto)

Consider the dressed-up corn dog a centerpiece of your next get-together. Whether you make your corn dogs from scratch or grab the bake-at-home variety from the grocery store, here are 10 ways to dip, drizzle, sprinkle, or dress your corn dog for maximum delight.

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Have you ever tried lemon-poppy seed cream cheese? How about harissa and mint? Or dark chocolate and ginger? These quick yet sophisticated schmears go way past the ordinary.

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

You can always find plain yogurt in our refrigerators; it’s so much fun to come up with our own flavors and toppings for good yogurt. Here are some of the most creative jazzed-up ideas for sweet and savory yogurt toppings we could devise.

(Image credit: Andrea D’Agosto)

On its own, even the crowd-pleaser roasted broccoli can get a little boring and repetitive, but it certainly doesn’t have to be that way. The easiest way to switch things up? Change the seasoning. This approach uses common ingredients from your pantry and fridge for delicious results.

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

Frozen waffles are convenient when you want to switch from the toast or bagel routine, and they’re neutral enough in flavor to host a variety of toppings. Once you’ve found the right brand for your tastes, it’s time to explore all the ways to enjoy them beyond the standard swipe of butter and jam or drizzle of maple syrup. These 10 ideas use frozen waffles as a blank canvas for breakfast (and beyond).

(Image credit: Christine Han)

Regardless of the veggie burgers you choose, what they tend to lack most is flavor and texture. That’s actually a positive thing when you’re looking to upgrade them, as that really just means that the sky is the limit in terms of ingredients you can add to up the excitement level.