Cooking

 I love to cook. 

Yes, sometimes it's hard for me to gather the energy to cook for my family. Yes, sometimes it seems like a huge chore. Yes, I am guilty of repeating quick, easy, cheap recipes that are staples for our family. No, I don't typically cook things that I don't like. I just saw a "save your family cheap pasta dish" headline and so I quickly ran to the recipe. Chickpeas and pasta. I don't like chickpeas. I'm not making that. 

Ultimately, I like the challenge. I love finding new recipes, and I actually usually measure ingredients the first time I make a new dish. Typically, if I've made the recipe more than once, I measure with my heart. :) I love finding new styles of cooking and new ingredients to cook with. I have even been found to be super annoying by posting a bunch of pictures of the new recipes I make.

Feeding my family brings me joy. Not much makes me happier than when the family sits down and says that the best part of the day is whatever I've just cooked them. I am a sucker for a "that looks super yummy" comment on my annoying food pics. It may be just lip service but I'm mostly even okay with that. 

For Christmas, I made a figgy pudding. Not my cup of tea but the people who liked it really loved it! One of my favorite recipes was a Greek salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, etc...It was super yummy and fresh. We had that for "Greek Night" for family dinner. 

I am a fan of TikTok recipes, I have a couple of people I follow that I really like to try their recipes. I am a huge fan of Pinterest. Facebook recipes and the good monthly ad magazine that Hy-Vee puts out. 

Recently I made a traditional oxtail pho. First time making my own broth, my first time cooking (and eating) oxtail. That was a two-day cooking prep. While that was cooking, I tried my hand at a copy-cat Chili's chili recipe. With the help of the family, we had homemade egg rolls, homemade crab rangoon, and handmade spring rolls with a yummy sweet chili dipping sauce. That meal was a huge success! 

I've recently made a Lancashire Hotpot dish with a lamb roast. It had juicy lamb pieces with veggies and sliced potatoes on top. I sliced my potatoes too thinly and the sauce was a little loose but the flavor was good. 

Next up, I'm trying my hand at Baria tacos with homemade tortillas! Wish me luck! What are some fun recipes that I should try out that are favorites of yours?