I have this fear of the kitchen. Mostly because I don't really enjoy cooking or baking unless I'm "in the mood" and I'm rarely "in the mood". And I have a knack for substituting, not planning ahead and making disasters (see #4 below). But, as part of my Lenten Journey this year...here are my attempts of making those recipes I keep collecting, but won't try. Almost all of them were a fabulous success! :)
#1: Homemade Bread
Delicious and crunchy with a soft middle. Had it dipped in oil & vinegar, and in the morning, toasted with jam. Yum!
Recipe here.
#2: Quinoa Salad
Nick and I had this for lunch one week -- super delicious and easy!
Recipe here.
#3: Challah Bread
This is DELICIOUS, though quite a process. And a gem I found on my friend's cooking blog that I have been meaning to try for a while. So good!
Recipe here.
#4: Black Bean Soup
This will have to go on my do-over list.
The recipe sounds delicious and I still recommend it (recipe here)...I just do not recommend what I did! My impatience and stubbornness won on this recipe so I learned the following:
- When the recipe calls for 2 cans of black beans & you decide to substitute bagged black beans...
...measure correctly and don't just pre-soak, but actually COOK the beans. I did not.
- When the recipe says to saute garlic & onions...
...Make sure you have an onion as well as garlic. I did not.
- When the recipe says to simmer with water and chicken stock for 15 minutes...
...don't BOIL for 15-20 minutes in a desperate attempt to cook the raw beans, then haphazardly add more water and stock because you've boiled off the original portions. I did that.
- When the recipe says to immersion blend, or take half of the soup and blend...
...don't blend ALL of the soup in an attempt to hide the fact that the black beans are not cooked. I did that.
-When the recipe says to add 2 tsp of Chili Powder...
...Make sure you have enough chili powder. I did not. I had enough for about 1 good shake.
So. I ended up with bland black bean paste.
However, added spices, cheese, and warmed it for (a WHOLE LOT) of delicious bean dip. :)
#5: Irish Soda Bread
In celebration of St. Patrick's Day I had to give this one a whirl. Turned out pretty well, though I don't have a 9x5 inch loaf pan so I just made 2 smaller ones (which overflowed, oops!) at 325 degrees for 50 minutes.
Recipe here.
#6. Lasagna Rolls
I don't normally like lasagna, but Nick does and this recipe looked yummy.
They turned out well and I enjoyed them!! Though next time I would use a little more sauce.
#7. Cheese Danish
I am not big on candy, or chocolate, or cake. I can pass by those without much thought. My weakness? Pastries. I drool over doughnuts and danishes and cinnamon rolls (though I don't love frosting or glaze...) I was browsing some doable recipes for my pastry cravings and found this recipe. Oh. My. Word. were these delicious, delectable and hit the spot.
#8. Kale Salad
After demolishing a huge bowl of the "All Hail Kale Salad" at VeggieGrill my interest was piqued for kale salads. Found this recipe on a blog I read and thought it sounded delicious. Prepared it tonight for our Easter dinner tomorrow...had to sneak a taste - really refreshing! With a zing of spice.
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