#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

April and May

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

Three!  I tried three in one weekend!

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

I finally made the infamous Buffalo Chicken Dip last weekend!


Last night I made these No Bake Energy Balls. I skipped the coconut and mini chocolate chips and they were still tasty. Daphne seemed to enjoy them too.

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

Another baking recipe.  I need to cook more meals!  Anyway, these blueberry muffins were a special treat for a new mom.  

Blueberry Muffins from Baking Illustrated.

2 cups unbleached flour

1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted, cooled slightly)
1 ¼ cup sour cream
1 ½ cup frozen/fresh blueberries

Preheat oven to 350.

In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a second bowl, add sugar, add butter in 2-3 additions, ad sour cream in 2 additions - whisking to combine.

Add berries to dry ingredients and gently toss.   Add sour cream mixture and fold with a spatula until the batter comes together and berries are evenly distributed.

Bake until light golden brown or toothpick comes out clean. 25-30 minutes.

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

I forgot to post this in December, but I made peppermint bark for Christmas.  Yum!

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

Lovely Salted Caramel Sauce

Thank you Pinterest!

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

Tortellini with Butternut Squash, Mushrooms, and Fontina

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

Iced Coffee

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

Strawberry Jam

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

I made yet another chicken salad recipe, this one is from Cooking Light.  I'm searching for the perfect recipe, please share if you have a favorite.  Anyway, this recipe used Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, white wine vinegar, and lemon juice.  Not bad, but not my favorite either.  I added red onion, used grapes instead of cranberries, and pecans instead of almonds.

#89 Get My Crown Replaced

Done!  Exciting times, I know.  I'm so glad I finally had this done, it's been on my procrastinator's list for some time. 

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

Rhubarb Maple Crisp

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

So, I failed to try a new recipe in February and March. I'm not going to beat my self up over it. I had these recipes torn out of a magazine, and shoved in a binder for years. I think it might be from the Rachael Ray magazine, ew. I made both of these and they were pretty good. I wonder if there should be baking powder in the lemon cookies though? Mine did not turn out thick and fluffy like the photo, they were thin. Still tasty. 

Click on the photo to enlarge

#22 Go One Day Without Using the Internet

I've been having a little mommy guilt about the time I spend on the Internet/computer, so I thought now was the perfect time to take a break. Sunday was the official day, but I think I might make this a regular habit. Perhaps once a week. It was quite freeing.

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

I don't know how I managed, but I made cookies last night! It was a special request from my husband. He wondered if Reese's Pieces would be good in a cookies and I suggested adding them to a peanut butter cookie. Success!

I don't have a picture, but they are gorgeous and tasty! Just use your favorite peanut butter cookie recipe and add Reese's Pieces.

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

This month I tried Eggs Florentine Casserole for an early Christmas brunch and Macaroni and Cheese with Prosciutto just because. Both were excellent. The egg casserole made a lot of food so it's the perfect dish for a large crowd. I added a little hot sauce to mine for some kick.

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

I have tried at least a half dozen homemade macaroni and cheese recipes over the last 7 years. They have all been disappointing and then I give up for a year. This time I tried Martha Stewart's version. I thought the sharp white cheddar might be a good sign. Nope, it sucked. Balls, did it suck! And now I have a crap ton of it.

I've had enough experimenting with macaroni and cheese and asked for recommendations. Here's what I've got on board to try next time:

The Pioneer Woman's Fancy Macaroni or Not so Fancy Macaroni
Ina Garten's Mac and Cheese (this looks expensive)
Cooking Light Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese
Epicurious Prosciutto Macaroni and Cheese

Looking at these recipes, I can see where things might have gone wrong with Martha's version. She called for milk instead of cream and there weren't enough spices.

#13 Try One New Recipe Each Month

Crock pot Tortilla Chili

It's not our favorite chili recipe, but it was quick and I'm always looking for new slow cooker recipes. This recipe made a lot of chili, so I froze a lot of it.

#16 Use My Free Airline Ticket

Last year I took a bump on a work trip and they gave me a free airline ticket to use before October 17, 2010. We never got around to using it and no one in my family could use it. So, I offered it to any of the wonderful ladies I've come to know over the last several months.

I am so excited that I was able to pass this ticket on to Kelly over at Tied Together With a Smile. She left yesterday afternoon to meet up with another fabulous lady I've become friends with on this journey. I can't wait to hear how their visit was!