Every time I’m at the grocery store, I check out the clearance section first. I didn’t know what kind of hidden gems were there until I started watching Guy’s Grocery Games — stream it on Max right now — and now I find it fun to challenge myself to use a surprising ingredient in weeknight meals to both stay on budget and have fun in the kitchen.

Flavortown Market is more well-stocked, vibrant, and full of shocking curveball ingredients than my local Ralph’s, but watching contestants almost literally fly down the aisles, throw things into their carts, and cook up a storm in 30 minutes flat has taught me a lot. The innovation is truly outta bounds with creative contestants putting together dynamic flavor combinations with surprising ingredients. After watching ... maybe three seasons in a row in a single week ... I found myself jotting down ideas like "re-hydrated beet chip and eggplant dip" and "pine nut vegan chorizo." And that’s just the frosted tip of the iceberg!

So I’ve decided to pay it forward and share 11 food facts and hacks I learned from Guy’s Grocery Games, hoping it inspires you to cook something new — preferably without having to break a sweat bolting through the supermarket first.