I tend to get into ruts. I think of the same meals, with the same cooking techniques and the same flavors. I like them, don’t get me wrong, but there are times it’s nice to mix it up.

This may be why cookbooks litter my house like graffiti on walls in New York City. They masquerade as works of art, occasionally are useful, and often go unnoticed. Every now and then I pull one out to investigate other options; more often than not I rely on my own favorites.

This week, I pulled out the phone and shot an Instagram story, sharing the contents of my refrigerator and telling the audience what I saw as my options. Curried lentil soup. Breakfast for dinner. Chicken stir fry. Spaghetti. Stuffed peppers.

One viewer chimed in with “Steak stir fry.” A second asked, “Do you have salsa?”

And Mexican stir fry was born.

Mexican Steak Stir Fry (serves 4)

• 1 steak

• 1 heaping tsp cumin

• juice from 1 lime

• 1 tsp chili-lime seasoning (or not - could sub chili powder, or nothing!)

• 4 cloves garlic, pressed

• 1 small head broccoli

• 1 medium onion

• 2 bell peppers, either red or yellow or orange (could use green but I'd do just one in that case - green peppers are not as mellow)

• 1/2 c salsa

1. Cut the steak into bite size pieces and toss with cumin, lime, chili-lime, and garlic. Let marinate while you prep the veggies. (If you are making rice to go with this, here is where you make the rice. Or make arepas instead!)

2. Chop veggies into bite size pieces. I prefer slices of onion and pepper as I feel it adds to the visual appeal.

3. Heat 1 tsp oil in a skillet until hot, then add in the meat, stirring occasionally. I like my meat on the medium rare side, so this takes only a couple of minutes. Then REMOVE the steak from the pan.

4. Add 1 tsp oil to the pan and heat, then add in onions and peppers and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes, then add in broccoli and stir to mix.

5. Add in salsa and a few tablespoons of water, then stir and cover to steam the broccoli. This will only take 3-4 minutes, depending on how small you cut it up!

6. Uncover and stir in steak; cook for about a minute or just until the steak is heated back up.

7. Serve over rice or on top of arepas, with salsa on the side!