For the past couple of months, I've made an effort to try one new recipe a week. It's not something I'm stringent on; some weeks I'll try three or four and other weeks might skid by without a newbie at all. Essentially though, it's a challenge I've set for myself to get more comfortable in the kitchen and try new things.
(Another consequence has been that I've gotten much more acquainted with my grocery store aisles, trying to track down things like wheat germ and balsamic vinegar. Without fail, I always end up in the baking aisle and walk up and down looking for some item. With the balsamic vinegar, I stood in front of the huge Kroger olive- and vegetable-oil section, reading each and every label with no luck. A couple of shopping trips later, I discovered the vinegar tucked away in the condiments aisle!)
So, I've started clipping more and more recipes (from blogs, magazines and copying down recipes from cookbooks found at the library), which then compelled me to overhaul my little recipe basket (pictures in all it's homemade glory above!). Every couple of weeks, I'll finger through my collection and sort out the ones I'd like to try or that I have most of the ingredients for, and pin those to the fridge by my shopping list. This process has been helpful for me to stay acquainted with my recipes and try to plan out menus in advance (although I haven't made a week-long menu spreadsheet in quite awhile!).
I thought I'd go through and share some of the recipes I've checked off my list (linked to recipes, where possible):
Black bean burgers
Blue cheese and dried cherry meatloaf (in the crockpot)
Chicken pot pie
Chicken burgers
Chicken ole foil supper
Cornbread from scratch
Guacamole
Granola (tasty) and granola bars (not so much)
Homemade hamburger buns
Homemade breads, bagels, english muffins
Homemade pizza dough
Honey-glazed carrots
Maple-walnut chicken
Penne with asparagus, spinach and bacon
Polenta (yuck!)
Pumpkin pudding
Southwestern pot pie
Sweet potato and black bean chili
Veggie lasagna
Wheat berry salad (I haven't been able to track down wheat berries at the grocery store, but just using barley has been delish! Anyone care to enlighten me about where I can find them?)
Yogurt in a crockpot
What about you--any new recipes to share? I’m always up for new inspiration, so please leave any suggestions in the comments, or let me know if you have tried any of the recipes I’ve shared on here!
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Thanks for the links! I have decided we really need to get some healthier dinners into the rotation, and some of these sound great. I also just found your link to the weekly meal planners, so hopefully I can get organized and use that too. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have also been trying to cook new, healthier (and more socially conscious) dinner options. My recipes aren't as eclectic as yours...so far all of my favorites have come from this incredible Mennonite cookbook called "Simply in Season." Well worth the $13! It categories recipes by the season the ingredients are grown in (perfect if you frequent the farmers' market) and also has meaningful thoughts on God and food to read while cooking. Try the baked oatmeal, all the soups and the sweet potato burritos!!!- Rachel Pitney
ReplyDeleteOh, let me know if you come across any good recipes, Jessica. I'm still very much in the learning process and could use any hints/tips!
ReplyDeleteAh, that sounds AWESOME, Rachel! I'm going to have to try to track a copy down. And I love that it's Mennonite; it's a little-known dream of mine to get to be friends with Amish/Mennonites some day so maybe this might bring me closer to that?! Plus I don't own a single cookbook that draws the parallel between cooking and serving/praising God. Thanks for the recommendation!!
ReplyDeleteI just found you through Tammy's Recipes Kitchen Tip Tuesday link. Thought I would let you know that you can find wheat berries in your local health food store. It is rare to find them in the regular grocery store. ~Donna K.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, Donna! That makes me feel better, that I'm not going crazy. I'll have to swing by the health food store and see if I can track them down there. I appreciate the suggestion!
ReplyDelete