Culinary Adventures with Bob and Al: New Years Resolution - Cook More

This whole "Culinary Adventures" deal was stopped in its' tracks when daylight savings came around (yes, I know that was a long time ago). We were still cooking a little, but, I must admit that we've been turning to nutritional flagships such as; Sonic, Little Ceasars, Taco Cabana and the Whole Foods prepared foods section more than I'd like to admit over the last couple of months. Healthy!

All hope is not lost though! Bob and Al want to get back in the kitchen in 2011.

We thought a good plan of action would be to try to set a menu together on Sunday...have 4-5 dinners planned and go to the grocery store to get the ingredients so we'll be good to go for the week. Revolutionary, I know.

Our first attempt was last week - January 2nd-8th. I'll share with you the recipes we chose and critiques we had. 

Recipe One : White Chicken Chili
-it didn't make way too much for 2 people like some recipes do.
-it was a tad spicy - i would omit the cayenne pepper next time.
-all in all - a success. Robert wasn't too excited about it, but ended up liking it.
-great with cornbread
Recipe Two : Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce
-thank you PW
-just a yummy basic to know how to whip up
-we both liked it. lasted for 2 nights!
Recipe Three: Green Chile Hominy Casserole
-SO good!
-we omitted the chorizo and sour cream and it was still amazing
-it would also make a great dip with yummy tortilla chips
Recipe Four: Cauliflower Soup
-thank you again PW
-i know it doesn't sound good, but it really is!
-omitted the sour cream (Bob doesn't do sour cream)
-we both thought it needed a kick...maybe bacon next time when the onions go in? shocking from the semi-vegetarian, yes, but bacon does make everything better.

So, yes, we did it for the first week...mission accomplished. It was nice to have the ingredients at home and know we had some recipes to chose from depending on what we felt like that day. In the past year, I've been the type to come up with dinner either after work or during the afternoon and needing to go to the store. This just doesn't work. I don't feel like going to the store everyday, so inevitably, we just go get something - fast food, pizza, etc. Those days add up and before you know it, you've gone to "get something for dinner" 3 or 4 nights a week. Crazy what a little planning ahead can do.

Brace yourself, we've even got recipes for this week, I will share, but obviously, don't have reviews for yet.

Recipe 1: Spaghetti with Fried Zucchini
Recipe 2: Trenette with Pesto, Beans and Potatoes - (trenette is basically fetuccini)
Recipe 3: Tortilla Soup with Black Beans
Recipe 4: Butternut Squash Soup - in our slow cooker cookbook -let me know if you want the recipe

Culinary Adventures live on - hope to regale you of exciting tales from our kitchen in the coming year that don't include smoking ovens, injuries or eeekkkk....bad food.