When I first become involved in working professionally with food, it always amazed me how rigid customers could be about eating. Weren't they curious? Did they really want a tuna fish sandwich on white bread for the fifth time that week? I am so easily bored that, when cooking professionally, I was always ready to experiment with new products or produce. Give me stimulation!

Often the excuse for not trying a new product is a fear of wasting money. Accidental Gourmet Principle #2 challenges you to try one new product a week. Financially, how much are you really wasting? Look at it as quality of life instead. Grocers are stocking an incredible variety of products these days, and often offer samples of new products to try as well.

Recipes are all easy to make and involve ingredients you may not have tried before. Since it is tomato season, I have included a variety of ways to use tomatoes. I have also focused on vegetables that are currently in season: peppers, scallions, squash, tomatoes, melons, basil, and rosemary. Items that might be new products for you to try are in bold type.

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