Resolutions, 2010

First and foremost: Food! So very typical.

2009 was a good year for me in the kitchen. I expanded my collection of yummy, easy recipes for regular nights but I also tried some more complex meals. I also baked a LOT more this year than any other year before, which is definitely not a good thing for me to continue :) Here are some of my favorite new dishes of the year:
Fettuccine Alfredo
Tomato Basil Soup
Meatloaf
Brisket
Rugelach
Matzoh Ball Soup
Charoset
Boston Cream Pie
Pollo con Espinaca
Tom Kha Gai
Spicy Peanut Noodles
Jambalaya
Zucchini Basil Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

In the next year I certainly want to continue to work on becoming a better and more well rounded cook. I’d also like to really get down some recipes I have made before but aren’t quite perfect. In 2010 these are some of the things I’d like to try:

Bagels (and Bialys!) – Since we left NY I haven’t had anything that comes even remotely close. I’d love to be able to make some yummies without having to go all the way to Brooklyn!

Granola - I have at LEAST 100 granola recipes bookmarked. Time to give some a try!

Granola Bar/Energy Bar Type thing – To replace the Chewy Bar addiction.

Blintzes – Holy crap, yum.

Stuffed French Toast – Again – yum!

Dutch Pancake – I need a cast iron pan… hint hint :)

Yogurt – worth it home made? I’m not sure. But I’m willing to give it a try!

Sourdough – because NOTHING is better than good sourdough.

Good Everyday Bread – for sandwiches and eating with dinner. I made a lot of bread two years ago but didn’t do it so much this year. Would like to get back on that weekly bread-making train if I could.

Challah – I love Jews for challah. And their men!

Wrap-ish something – again, for sandwiches. They are so expensive at the store and honestly, can’t be that difficult to make.

Horchata – not sure if anything I make will ever be as good as Filiberto’s, but its worth a shot.

Marinara Sauce – because everyone needs a good marinara.

Pizza Sauce – because someday I will make awesome pizza.

Pizza Dough – I tried a LOT of pizza dough recipes this year and I’m not totally satisfied with any of them (though Peter Reinhart’s does come preeeeeeety close). This year I will make perfect pizza dough.

Tomatillo Enchilada Sauce – because it’s difficult to find enchilada sauce in NYC, and even though I don’t live there right now, I need to prepare for where ever I do end up.

Condiment of some sort – Undecided on what exactly this one will be, but I do need something for sandwiches or salads or whatever.

Granita – and frozen custard and ice cream and yummmmmmmmmm.

Tiramisu – this Italian place near us makes the most unbelievable tiramisu. When I move I’m pretty sure I’ll go through withdrawals, unless of course I can make it myself!

Butter – see yogurt.

Crepe Cake – um, yeah. Time consuming but hopefully worth it. Who wants one for their birthday?

Meatballs – pork free, of course!

Lamb – I made lamb once this year (at Passover) but I wasn’t really sure what I was doing. We grilled it and it came out more than fine but I know we can do better.

Pasta – because I want to take pictures of my kitchen with pasta draped everywhere!

Lasagna or Tortellini – with homemade pasta, of course!

Ropa Vieja – this I made a few years ago and it came out just ok – would really like to perfect this because its probably my favorite thing to eat.

Ebilskever – because what an awesome name! And also because, yum!

Booze – wine? I’d love to try something with fermenting/boozifying/bottling. I’m not sure where to start but with a little research I’m sure I can find some easy at home recipes?