I've noticed that I tackle the food and reading goals first on any list I make. Yep, that's about what anyone would expect, right?
I thought trying 12 new recipes would be a lot harder, but since my recipe box is currently being held for ransom, it wasn't hard at all.
1. Lemon Basil Bowties. Ehh. Jessie and Y liked it more than I did, but I still had seconds. : / I don't think this one is a keeper.
2. Strawberry, Cucumber, and Basil Salad. Yummers. A great alternative to tomato and cucumber for your loved ones who don't like tomatoes.
3. Summery Confetti Salad from Self Magazine (August 2013). A good and easy way to eat vegetables. I would steam and blanch the lima beans next time.
4. Hello Dolly Bars. OH. YEAH...TWICE.
5. Asian Beef with Snow Peas, also twice. It's also good with broccoli, and definitely double the sauce.
6. & 7. I was looking for an amazing cheesecake that did not require a spring-form pan. I made this one a few times, and it was good but not "the one." So then I made a different one. I followed the recipe exactly. And it burnt. As in, the entire thing was black. As in, can't even scrape off the top layer and salvage the filling. (Whatever, the filling was too custardy anyway.)
8. Which led me to try our new standard no-bake cheesecake, herein referred to as "the best cheesecake ever."
9. Chicken and Goat Cheese Quesadillas with lots of modifications. I've had these dog-earred for years, so I'm glad I tried them, and they were good, but I don't think I'll make them again.
10. Honey Garlic Balsamic Chicken. That's the "before" and "after" photo. So yeah, it's a keeper. Just make sure the chicken is completely thawed first. ; )
11. PW's Delicious Creamy Mashed Potatoes. I know, I know. They're just mashed potatoes - basic, right? But y'all. These were the best mashed potatoes I've ever had, and I never pass up mashed potatoes.
12. Maple Granola. Umm, not sweet enough for me. And the dried pineapple was kind of...different. : /
#11, done. You can see the whole list here.
