cook something new every month

Rosemary & Sage marinated turkey steaks
Stuffing
Green Rice (broccoli, cheese, rice)
Pumpkin Pie (with whipped cream)

(yum)

Looking in the fridge today I observed corn, green beans, carrots, onions, celery, potatoes and some pork that needed to be cooked. Couple that with a cold autumn morning and I just knew it was time to make some leftover-stew.

I popped a DVD from Golden Girls Season 2 onto the portable player and set it up on the coffee pot for company while I chopped, chopped, chopped away. I had cheesebread baking in the oven and the garlic and onions were browning and the heat and smells swirled around me – oh what a heavenly afternoon.

Everything is simmering now and if I can get up the energy to leave the house tomorrow I might walk to Lupe Pintos in the West End and pick up a box of cornbread mix. Cornbread and stew, now THAT would be scrumptous.

I have a friend who is awesome in the kitchen, always trying new vegetarian recipes and inviting me over. I was rather inspired by her when I yesterday made some mashed potatoes (I know – hardly a recipe, but definitely something new for me) from scratch.
I boiled the potatoes without peeling them, added carrots, mashed them all together then added milk, garlic, butter, salt and pepper. It turned out really delicious, though I’ll be adding more spices the next time. I made so much that my lunch today consists of mashed potatoes…

I visited Lupe Pintos and picked up Libby’s pumpkin pie schtuff in a can. I’m not the only one – they got 50 cases in two weeks ago and have already sold 16 cases. I, myself, purchased just two cans; one can for this month and one that will save for either Christmas or sometime before March 2012. I also picked up one graham cracker pie crust and a box of original stove top stuffing. I’m going to make ‘green rice’ (family thing of broccoli, cheddar and rice) for my veg and will probably just cook up a couple of turkey breasts some new way and call it good because with all that I’ll be eating Thanksgiving for at least 3 or 4 meals. Can’t wait!

I tried a recipe on how to make cream cheese from plain yogurt (see other post). It’s very tasty, and easy, and I’ll definitely try this one again!

FINALLY cooked this recipe (courtesy of Calypte) that’s been sitting in my inbox since March freaking 10th.

I made a few minor changes (based on budget and preferences) and, aside from having a huge jug of cider I need to drink now (seriously, do they not sell small bottles of dry cider or is that just a hassle of ordering from Spasda?), I gotta say it was YUMMY. Plus when I’d bite into a chunk of white thinking it was potato I’d get the pleasant surprise of apple. Also, the house smells wonderfully of garlic and apple and well it’s a good thing I like it because I have enough left over for 3 more meals.

Anybody have a turkey recipe for next month? I’m making pumpkin pie, but as I’ll be alone for Thanksgiving (not something we celebrate here in Scotland) I don’t plan on cooking the entire huge meal…

Our dinner yesterday: thin slice of fried meat with melted brie, roasted pine nuts, tomato, and macaroni. Yummy and so easy!

Norwegian recipe: http://www.matprat.no/oppskrift.aspx?artid=7183

and friends to cook for!

I’m looking at the recipe sites and I’ve got a sudden hardon to visit a kitchen store. Enter stage left the saltpeter that is my finances. (Is it weird to use penis metaphors when I don’t own one?)

I’ve got basic cooking equipment, I think, so all I’m lacking right now is a recipe to start this off. I plan to do this once a month, April through March 2010, so any suggestions would be appreciated. (except for seafood, I’m allergic).