One challenge I have put myself on this year - is trying one new recipe a week from a cookbook! I haven't been super consistent with it yet due to work schedule conflictions, but since becoming a full time stay at home mom - I've got some time to take it on! Also - I have a generous amount of cookbooks and it's time I put them to use! We usually just opted for a protein and side for our meals, but I want to have more fun with it and try new things! Give each week a new flavor if you will!😜 Some things I look for before buying a cookbook though -
Pictures - I gotta have pictures in the cookbook otherwise how do I know if it looks right or not? I failed miserably one time making raspberry chocolate chip cookies and lets just say they were a far cry from the picture on the recipe clearly indicating something went wrong!
Simple Ingredients - There's nothing worse than a recipe or a cookbook recommending off the wall stuff you can't simply get at an average grocery store. Like sheep milk yogurt - where in the heck does one get that?! Not to mention the expense of specialty ingredients I'll only use for one dish - I'm not fond of that unless special occasions.
Steps - If there's 3 pages of steps on how to make it - it's gonna be a now for me -sorry lol! I like to cook, but I don't have time to read a college style text book of instructions!
Current cookbooks I'm loving -
Martha's American Food by Martha Stewart
Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines (the 1st cookbook!)
The Grace - Filled Homestead Cookbook by Lana Stenner
Shop the featured cookbooks HERE!
I found the Martha's American Food by Martha Stewart at a local used bookstore & love all the classic recipes with a little bit of extra-ness to them! I tried the Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Scallops - my two favorite things combined - say no more! We went to the local fish market here in town right on the water & got a fresh batch to scallops to make them! They were very easy to make! I will say they are VERY rich! Good, but rich in flavor! Both items are rich on their own and combined they really are rich! These would pair well as an appetizer I feel or along with another entree item balance out the richness - maybe like a steak or something! We paired them with asparagus and it was really good!
Next favorite recipe currently is the Magnolia Table Chocolate Chip Cookies! I know what you're thinking - chocolate chip cookies - groundbreaking - insert Meryl Streep eye roll from the Devil Wears Prada*. But hear me out - I personally don't like super thick or cakey type of chocolate chip cookies -- I prefer the more thin ones that are a tad softer and these are amazing! Easy ingredients and I swear the brown sugar makes all the difference!
Lastly, I made the Rattlesnake Pasta from The Grace Filled Homestead Cookbook - this cookbook you'll probably get annoyed hearing about because there's a lot of recipes on my list from it that I want to try! The recipes seems to feature a lot of great, simple ingredients & are dishes almost everyone would love! I used to work at J Alexander's and they had an AHHH-MAZING rattlesnake pasta! Sadly, there isn't one anywhere near me so this sounded good to treat my craving! It was very easy to make & really good! I would say though - it's not as spicy as I would have hoped for it to be. So next time I think I'll add more jalapeno & some paprika to bring out even more spice! But still really yummy!
I hope to share some more of the new recipes I try with my comments and feedback as I cook or bake! Of course any recommendations -on cookbooks is always appreciated!!
XOXOXO
Mrs. Northern Belle
Comments