This past year was when I really put our kitchen to work. I’m going to fill this post up with all the food I learned to make this year. I cannot believe I used to buy Hamburger Helper! Never again. That stuff is gross to me now. Here’s what I’ve remembered so far:
Meatloaf – with killer sauce (brown sugar, mustard and ketchup)
Red borscht (beet soup) – made this about 6 times now, and consider myself the master of beet soup. I am a beet fanatic.
All kinds of pasta – I’ve made pasta dishes out of everything. Leftover chicken? Time to make pasta.
Chili – from standard chili, to white chicken chili, I’ve done it all. Chili is love.
Meatballs – whether they are in the Crock Pot, the frying pan, or in spaghetti – that’s-a spicy meatball!
Banana bread – I’ve got it peeled.
Rice – I finally conquered rice! I will never buy Minute Rice again. I’m a boil and simmer champion. I can even make it red or yellow.
Rice and beans – A dangerous thing to know. I love to put queso fresco and sour cream on top of black beans and white rice.
Pizza – from homemade dough to whatever on top you throw, I do it.
Roasted pork and chicken – Oh the places you’ll go.
Crepe cake – Now this was impressive.
Stuffed grape leaves -
Greek lemon soup –
Spicy mayonnaise – Easy!
Tzatziki sauce – Tricky! But you can put it on wraps for days.
Lomo saltado –
Aji amarillo sauce –
Cake pops – Easy!
Pineapple upside down cake – Need a little more practice, my cake was kind of flat but the topping was a-mazing.
Greek potatoes – Just put a lemon on it, you turkey.
Pork and chicken schnitzels – The key is flour, then egg, then Vigo golden-toasted bread crumbs. Let dry for 10 minutes before frying,
Red cabbage – braised with red wine vinegar and a little sugar
Various soups – soups that don’t have names (or have made-up names) which were made from random things. This practice prepares you to make soups with names.
Tarte tatin – This didn’t work, but prepared me for the next one.
Various crock potting – You know how that goes.
Boiled eggs – It works every time but there are still issues with peeling the shell off. They get stuck.
Bread pudding – Easy!
Deviled eggs – Of course I know how to make these, I’m from the south. But now I think I make them better.
Baked eggs – It’s fun to put beans, jalapenos, eggs and cheese and stuff into the oven.
Piergoies – Okay this isn’t something that worked out. The dough is killer. They were edible but just not right. Can’t wait to try again (when I’m in the mood to have flour all over the kitchen again).
Ribs – But only in a crock pot.
Mastered breakfast foods – Perfect bacon, french toast, breakfast potatoes and more.
Some thoughts:
Most people know that I absolutely love sushi. I could eat it every single day (good sushi that is, not the kind at the grocery store). Surprisingly I haven’t tried to make it yet. But it’s coming. : )
My parents got me an Amazon gift card – they must know I love Amazon. : ) I think I will use it to get a pressure cooker so I can start canning which is a dream of mine. I’d love to use their gift to get the cooker so I can always think of them when I am canning. I can’t wait to send them my first creations. Yeah, I think this idea is settled. : )
