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The Kitchen Table

How often do you try new recipes?

13 years ago

Last nite DH made a list of his favourite foods I make. Everything from my meatloaf to chicken marbella. Also included my carrot cake, lemon cake and rice pudding.

There are quite a few things, but it got me to wondering how many times you try something new. I love collecting recipes and am trying to make something different, but we all get in a rut.

Nice to know that he appreciates my cooking and efforts though!

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Comments (17)

User
13 years ago
Not enough lately. Went to the library this week and checked out a weight watchers cookbook (looked good), the 3rd edition of the American Heart Institute "Low-fat Low-cholesterol Cookbook" and "Healthy bread in five minutes a day" (artisan bread recipes). I get bored with my cooking. DH recently had scans done as part of an overall check-up following some events lately (he's well). We did find the beginning of artery plaque and he's on Crestor for it. The recipes in that American Heart Institute are fabulous - I'm going to just purchase it. I grew up in a heart patient home. I never fry food in deep oil - it's always bake, boil or broil. But sometimes its the taste of richness that kills us. So I'm looking to build new favourites. This year I've really been focused over winter to work on a healthier lifestyle overall and finally reach my healthy BMI weight (taken me 5 years of winter weight loss). New recipes are high on my agenda now.

I get so bored with my cooking.

What's everyone else doing?

Great thread, thanks!
Peggy
vala55
13 years ago
what's a recipe?
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jannie
13 years ago
I don't enjoy shopping or cooking, but I do love eating, so I try new recipes at least 4-5 times a week. Most of them from KT. When I want "comfort food" I try an old faithful recipe. I have a couple of never-fail chicken recipes.Too bad they require shopping. . .
trixietx
13 years ago
I love to cook, shop and try new recipes! In fact I am trying a new enchilada recipe from the tasty kitchen website.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tex-Mex Enchiladas
angelaid
13 years ago
Once or twice a week. Newest from last night:

From Gayle Marie

1 bag frozen green peas
1/4 lg onion
2 stalks of celery
1/4 of bell pepper
1-2 boiled eggs
1/2 cup of shredded sharp or medium cheese

Mayo to Taste. I go light and salt and pepper to taste.

May ahead of time so it gets cool. I keep it up to 3 days it just gets better.
alisande
13 years ago
When my kids were growing up, I tried new recipes at least once a week. I loved doing that. These days, with my diet much more limited and no one else to cook for most of the time, I rarely seek out new recipes.
country_sunshine
13 years ago
When Bob was alive, I would try new ones quite often, sometimes 3 or 4 times a week, and sometimes not... but just whenever I saw something that sounds good. Not so much anymore... since I only fix food for me and the pups... I am eating lots of stuff out of the freezer these days, lots of really delish soup in there. And although I still bake most all the bread I eat, I don't eat that much, so only baked it once since January.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
Not as often as I used to, I always cooked a nice big meal for dinner but as my health and hand problems get worse it gets more difficult to do those things and I so love to cook.
I still do on occasion though and have found some definite keepers. Of course the diabetes factor comes in to play now too GRRRRR
patti43
13 years ago
CS (Carolyn), I can't imagine how hard it is to cook now, considering how much cooking you did before Bob died. I think I would lose my love for cooking, too, since I mainly do it to please Harry. (((Carolyn))) I think about you a lot and keep you in my prayers for strength.

I have been trying more new recipes lately because I see so many on here that sound so good. I'm also a huge foodgawker fan and sometimes they turn out good and sometimes not so good.

Our California kids are here visiting with many food allergies/dislikes, but I made a new recipe for baked beans with pineapple last night and it was a big hit.
gadgets
13 years ago
From the time Mom let me in the kitchen, I've always liked trying new recipes. I don't do it often, just when the mood hits me. I tried a Salmon Chowder last week. It was edible but it won't make it into my saved recipes file.

Shirley
luckygardnr
13 years ago
What's Chicken Marbella and where's the recipe? Share please! LOL!
tobygirl
13 years ago
I was on a kick a few years ago of trying a new recipe (thanks to the internet) every night. My poor husband never had the same meal twice. I still try new recipes, but not nearly as often, and now I gravitate more towards the simpler ones.

I also love to bake and would try new recipes all the time; but since I lost about 40 lbs. a few years ago, I only bake for a holiday or family get-together and tend to make something tried and true.
forhgtv
13 years ago
Not too often. We mostly eat grilled fish or chicken and seasonal vegetables which don't require a recipe. I love to watch Ina Garten and Giada DeLaurentiis and I'll save recipes from their shows, but I rarely make them. Ina did make an interesting lemon chicken recently that I thought I might try.
phyllis__mn
13 years ago
Have tried many of the recipes posted here, of course, and they are usually ones I can freeze the leftovers, as I'm the only one to cook for. Tonight I'm making a ham and asparagus casserole, from Taste of Home. Sounds good, but that can sometimes fool one!
sue_va
13 years ago
I don't try any recipes that call for a long list of "yarbs and spices." I am mostly a salt & pepper cook, just like my DM was. I remember her saying she didn't use recipes because they called for too many ingredients. :-) We had good solid, tasteful meals; mostly meat, potatoes and green vegetables. Deserts were mostly fruit pies/cobblers.

My DH grew up in the country and ate pretty much like my family did, so cooking for him and our children was easy. I did learn and enjoyed making cakes and cookies. Not so much now, though.

Being alone now for so long, cooking has become a necessary chore, and I've found a few things that I tend to make often. Also Bear Den Soups are good, especially the Broccoli Cheese, the Darn Good Chili and the Potato. The only frozen meal I like is Stouffers Lasagna.

I have printed off and used these KT recipes:
Little Chicken, but failed to include the poster's name.
Hummingbird Banana Bread/Muffins, Marilyn Sue.

Here is a recipe from my Vegetarian DD. I make it and add chicken or some other meat to it. Last night I topped a baked potato with it.

Circles & Squares Vegetable-Pasta Soup
1 32 oz box vegetable broth
1 cup medium size pasta
2 cup frozen diced hash brown potatoes w/onions and peppers
2 cup frozen peas and carrots
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies
In large covered saucepan bring broth to boiling. Add pasta, potatoes, peas and carrots, and undrained tomatoes. Return to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer,covered, for 10-15 minutes or until pasta is tender. I cook it down to more of a stew, than soup.

I so empathize with CS. I'm not a big eater, so that helps.

Sue
Cherryfizz
13 years ago
Every other week when I bake. I really just wing it when cooking food but get lots of ideas from reading cookbooks. My sister just gave me 4 new cookbooks that I am enjoying browsing through. 2 of Giada cookbooks, Ricardo, and Tyler's.

Anne
cynic
13 years ago
I don't follow a lot of recipes, although I do follow some guidelines or suggestions so from that standpoint I'm trying new all the time. When I make a meatloaf, I seldom make it the same way twice although the last time I tried to duplicate/improve on it a bit. And, with meatloaf especially I go for different flavors depending on my mood. Sometimes I want "like mother used to make", sometimes an "Italian" version, sometimes a "pizza" version, sometimes more of a BBQ type, etc. I'll substitute and vary things a lot too. I'm also trying to eat a little better so there's something newer too.

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