Christmas has been and gone in a mass of laughter, tears, food, wine, wrapping paper and new toys. Thoughts are therefore turning to the new year and the ups and downs that it may bring. Resolutions are being planned and it's fair to say that most of mine centre around family and home.
The kitchen has to be at the heart of most family homes and this one is no different. I may not be anywhere near as domesticated as I want to be, but that doesn't stop me imagining I am. I love looking through new cookbooks and planning what to make. The only problem is that I'm very poor at actually following through with my plans. Mr C despairs when he seems me buying, or even considering buying, a new recipe book. True, I have a whole shelf two shelves full of them. Also true that there are several that I have only ever planned meals from.
I'm going to change all that in 2011 though. My aim for the year is to actually use all of the books on my shelf. Anything that I haven't made at least one dish from in the year will go to the charity shop this time next year. And to make sure I keep to my word I plan to write about each new recipe that I follow here. If I'm super-organised then there might also be photographs, but then I don't want to over-promise…
Anyone fancy joining me on this challenge as I'm sure that I'm not the only one with an under-used kitchen shelf full of books!
mstewart@pobox.com says
I might actually try using one of my cookbooks rather than cooking the same thing every week. There are only so many vegetarian splodges you can eat.
My favourite cookbook is still The Food for Thought Cookbook. Which I shall dig out again once I’ve eaten all the left over nutroast.
Martin
LauraVW says
That’s a really good idea! I’ve just realised Christmas has been and gone without me even flicking through the Nigella Christmas book, let alone cooking something from it…
Mrs C says
I seem to be doing great work on the challenge so far and hope i can keep it up. Maybe Nigella will be of more use next Christmas?
Mrs C says
Im finding it great fun to go through books that I havent looked at in years! Already weve had some superb meals and its quiet nice thinking that if I wasnt doing this challenge I wouldnt have discovered those recipes.
The Food for Thought Cookbook isnt one that Im familiar with, but Ill certainly go and look it up now.