Gannett News Service

Stuck in a rut? Try something new without straying too far from the familiar.

• Orange or yellow hothouse tomatoes are bright yellow, no bigger than a cherry tomato, and pear-shaped. These were wonderful for popping into your mouth, but very cool on a salad, too.

• Put those plain white potatoes out to pasture. At least for the time being. Perk things up with purple potatoes. These are sure to be real conversation-starters at your next dinner party.

• Dried beans and lentils are key to any vegetarian diet. Pass on the plain greenish-brown lentils for red or yellow ones. Instead of reaching for pinto or black beans, sample black-eyed peas, anasazi or cranberry beans.

• Can't decide between broccoli or cauliflower for tonight's dinner? Compromise. Get yourself one of those weird broccoflowers, a cross between the related broccoli and cauliflower plants.

• Seasonal fruits are some of summer's best treats. Cherries are a favorite. This year, try Rainier cherries. They are sort of a blush, yellow-orange color. They are milder than bold bings, but very sweet and delicious when ripe.

• Time to grow up and finally try one of those intriguing blood oranges. Their ruby red flesh is sweet and juicy, a good choice for an accent in salads.