I know it’s a little early to make my New Year’s Resolutions list, but let’s face it, we’re all already thinking about it. We all have the mental checklist to go through before we publicly (or privately) admit to those things we want to make better come midnight New Year’s Eve: Is this important? Would the benefits outweigh the work? Would I want to share this with (public, self, God, anyone)? If the answer to all of these is “yes”, you know you can add it to your list.

So, right now I’m thinking of how to really spruce up my cooking in 2012. And right now, that means what recipes do I want to conquer?

Let’s pretend for a moment that I already have my dream kitchen built. Lots of room. Lots of counter space. Lots of shelves. Lots of appliances. Lots of ingredients. Lots and lots and lots… pretty, isn’t it? And so functional!

Insert Chef (me). In this happy world, I get to not only make some old favorites, but try out my list of new recipes that all turn out heavenly tasteful. These are just a few on that list. (I know some of these are basic, I’ve just not yet got around to making them.):

Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon
Roast Duck
Venison Stew
Veal Lasagna

Fruitcake
Key Lime Pie

I want to learn about wines. Which wines taste better with which foods. Just because a wine is expensive doesn’t mean it’s lovely; and just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean it’s tasteless. I’d love to learn about wines.

I also want to experiment with some traditional recipes I love to make:

Potato Chip Casserole
Slow Cooker Ratatouille
Tator-Tot Casserole

And cookies. Lots and lots of cookies. In fact, I would love to be the Cookie Queen.

I guess I better get started. The more I cook, the more I find to cook. I just love recipes. Don’t you?

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

Stop and Smell the Roses
Cold.
Sweeten my tea and share: