One family member selects two or three ingredients, and someone else devises a menu around them. Sample ingredients: pasta, a vegetable and an herb.

Or, for a more challenging version: Choose a single ingredient and devise a menu that uses this ingredient in 3 recipes (as an appetizer, main dish, salad, dessert, etc.). Some suggestions: a fruit (apples, berries), a spice (cinnamon, pepper), something that adds flavor without dominating (lemon, shallot).

If you want to form teams and get really competitive, read our friend Chef Robin’s blog about playing Iron Chef .