Try a New Recipe a Week from a Cookbook Challenge

[Amaranth]

AmeliaJane suggested


How about a "Take a Cookbook off the Shelf" challenge? Now that I get a lot of my recipes from the Internet, I have a collection of great cookbooks that hardly ever get touched. You could pick one cookbook and cook your way through it (I have done that a couple times, and both times found recipes that later became favorites) or just challenge yourself to try a new recipe every week or two and then share the results. If nothing else, it might help identify cookbooks that don't reflect your current way of cooking and are ready to be sent to a new home.

This could be done along the lines of what Julie did with cooking her way through Julia Child's French cookbook, just with a different cookbook.

And if you don't have much in the way of cookbooks at home, consider one from the library.

Or trying something new each week could be done by matching up a cookbook with seasonal ingredients.

If you are getting something from the library a couple of fun new ones are:
Kansha by Andoh--using every part of the vegetable
Roots by Morgan--a chapter each for common and uncommon root vegetables

[Rosemary]

I'm up for this. I have a lot of cookbooks and peruse them often, and also use them as references when making up new recipes. Sometimes I even cook the recipes as written.

But I'm not starting until January as we have too much going on and are cleaning out the fridge before upcoming travel.

[peggy]

This sounds like fun. Might go well with the ingredient challenge.

[Gardenarian]

I will give this a shot, though I'll use Allrecipes.com (http://allrecipes.com/) instead of a cookbook. I like the way you can look up recipes by the ingredients you have on hand.

[Rosemary]

I made a cauliflower gratin tonight, in my ongoing quest to discover a way to prepare cauliflower that will make DD like it. Quest continues; however, DH and I liked it.
From Mediterranean Harvest by Martha Rose Shulman. Basically steamed cauliflower, tossed with sauteed garlic and then some grated Parmesan, baked to brown.

[AmeliaJane]

Finally had a chance to get to this after a few chaotic post-holiday weeks. I decided to focus on the cookbook "In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite" which got terrific reviews a couple of years ago. It seemed like my kind of cookbook--some new ideas (not just the seventeenth variation on chicken pot pie, for instance) but not so unusual I would be trying to source loin of boar and fresh lingonberries. The author is a New Yorker, so there is a bit too much emphasis on "go to the farmer's market/gourmet shop and find exquisite ingredients" but it looks doable with the local groceries.

This week's recipe was "Buttery Polenta with Olive-Oil Fried Egg and Garlicky Swiss Chard." It's pretty much what the title says--you make a polenta, blending in some butter at the end. You layer this in a bowl with parmesan cheese, fried eggs, and sauteed chard.

How well did I stick to the recipe? Pretty well. I used the regular cornmeal I had in my pantry instead of buying special coarse-ground polenta, and I subsituted kale (which the author says is OK) for the Swiss chard because I could get it pre-cleaned and chopped at Trader Joe's. I halved the recipe, because I didn't need enough for four people.

Frugal? Yes, actually. Eggs, cornmeal, olive oil--all pantry basics. The parmesan and greens would cost a little, but not much, especially if you are not a lazy person like myself who buys the greens pre-prepared.

Healthy? Well, it depends on your definition. It's whole foods and involves fresh vegetables, but any recipe that involves olive oil, butter and cheese is not going to be low-calorie. On the other hand, it's not huge amounts of said fats. And it's definitely filling.

Recipe well-written? So-so. This is definitely a cookbook that assumes you know the basics of cooking. For instance, the author skipped over the step that is in most polenta recipes about pouring the cornmeal slowly into the boiling water as you stir. I ended up having to whisk pretty hard to get the lumps out. She also doesn't give much guidance on frying the eggs.

And most important--tasty?

I really liked the polenta with butter and cheese. I have always had plain polenta before and wasn't very enthusiastic about it, but surprise! when you add butter and cheese to something, it tastes better. And it went very well with the sauteed bitter greens. The author suggested a glass of red wine with this dish, and the acid of the wine went really well with this. The olive-oil fried eggs didn't do much for me, but I cooked them more than the author suggested, because I was also trying to deal with the sauteed greens at the same time and plate the polenta. So I look forward to my leftover polenta and greens, but I'll probably skip the egg next time.

[Tussiemussies]

Can't do it this time around, but it sounds like so much fun! Next time I will definitely join in....:)

[pinkytoe]

I tend to do this a lot anyway because I like to cook AND not waste food. last night, I had a cup or so of leftover whole wheat couscous so perused the web for ideas of how to use. Voila- Mix couscous with egg white. Press into pie dish as crust. Bake for 10 minutes to set. Grate a small amount of swiss cheese on bottom. Add fillings - caramelized onions, mushrooms, garlic and swiss chard. Pour three beaten eggs, 3/4 cup of milk (or faux milk) over filling. Dust with parmesan and top with thinly sliced tomatos. I was amazed at how the couscous turned into a tasty crust.

[decemberlov]

I tend to do this a lot anyway because I like to cook AND not waste food. last night, I had a cup or so of leftover whole wheat couscous so perused the web for ideas of how to use. Voila- Mix couscous with egg white. Press into pie dish as crust. Bake for 10 minutes to set. Grate a small amount of swiss cheese on bottom. Add fillings - caramelized onions, mushrooms, garlic and swiss chard. Pour three beaten eggs, 3/4 cup of milk (or faux milk) over filling. Dust with parmesan and top with thinly sliced tomatos. I was amazed at how the couscous turned into a tasty crust.

This sounds so delicious!!! I'm going to have to try this. We always have couscous on hand, definitely a staple in our home.

[Jilly]

AmeliaJane, that dish is what I have for breakfast at least once each week. I use grits (just another corn grind) topped with over-easy eggs and leftover greens if I have any. Could be kale or collards or chard. I do not add any fat except what clings to the eggs and I think...could be wrong...that it is as calorie conscious and healthy as I can get. I never get tired of it.

I have made the crust-from-leftover-rice, but couscous sounds even better, even if there is not any as a bit left over from another meal.

This is such a great idea. I eat the same things over and over because it is easy and I am pretty much of a slacker about most parts of my life. Maybe some time spent on finding new recipes will enliven my diet. Or, I could just read what other people are doing with this.

[JaneV2.0]

I volunteer to be a taster for anyone who wants to work their way through one of Madhur Jaffrey's cookbooks...

[Gardenarian]

I made these Flourless Peanut butter cookies (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/flourless-peanut-butter-cookies-recipe/index.html)and they are awesome.
I may try them again with a little less sugar.

[treehugger]

I made these Flourless Peanut butter cookies (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/flourless-peanut-butter-cookies-recipe/index.html)and they are awesome.
I may try them again with a little less sugar.

That is my absolute favorite type of peanut butter cookie, and I am in no way opposed to using flour in recipes. I just think that the peanut butter taste comes through much stronger in this recipe than in the traditional version. I only make them if my DH is out of town, though, since he is allergic to nuts and the smell of baking peanut butter sticks around too long.

JaneV2.0, I adore Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian. I need to get it back into the rotation. Thanks for the reminder.

As for the OP, I pretty much do this anyway, since I love cookbooks, have a lot, and enjoy trying new things. I do get recipes from websites, too, but I prefer to cook from paper books since I don't have an e-device in the kitchen (and don't like to do a lot of printing). This (http://www.amazon.com/Whole-Grains-New-Generation-Everyday/dp/1617690015/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358896354&sr=8-1&keywords=whole+grains+for+a+new+generation)is a recent acquisition (and wow, it was $6 when I bought it) that I want to start cooking from this week.

Kara

[Chickpea]

I tried a new recipe today: its Vegetables and rice noodles in a coconut broth. Its from a programme on saturday mornings called 'Indian food made easy'. It says it serves 4, but i doubled all the ingredients up and it only just fed 3 of us (and my mums not a big eater). I liked the combination of spices with the coconut very much. I think if i make it again i will ditch the noodles and put it with a white fish.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/vegetablesandricenoo_90040

[JaneV2.0]

...
JaneV2.0, I adore Madhur Jaffrey's World Vegetarian. I need to get it back into the rotation. Thanks for the reminder.
...

It may be the only vegetarian cookbook I still have. I don't think there's a recipe in it I wouldn't enjoy.

[Chickpea]

I made these Flourless Peanut butter cookies (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/flourless-peanut-butter-cookies-recipe/index.html)and they are awesome.
I may try them again with a little less sugar.

mmm i love peanut butter, i just had a load on toast. I make my own with very low salt. I cant leave it alone, so only make about once or twice a month.

[AmeliaJane]

This week's recipe from "In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite" was "Soft Scrambled Eggs with Pesto and Ricotta." You make scrambled eggs with a little Parmesan mixed in, add in pesto right at the end, and then sprinkle some fresh ricotta on top.

How well did I stick to the recipe? So-so. You were supposed to make your own pesto, and in the dead of winter I bought it at the local Trader Joe's instead. I think this also would have been very good with fancy farm-stand ricotta, but I got the grocery store kind.

Frugal? Again, so-so. The pesto and ricotta weren't all that frugal, although reasonably priced, but the recipe didn't use much either.

Healthy? If you're going low-carb this would fit that description, but if you're keeping an eye on calories and fat, not so much, given two kinds of cheese, butter and pesto.

Recipe well-written? It's a pretty basic recipe, so it was fairly straightforward. I have never had very good luck scrambling eggs over low heat, and in retrospect I wish I had done it my usual way instead of trying to follow her directions.

And most important--tasty?

I did like the scrambled eggs with pesto. I've never done that before, and in future if I happen to have some pesto around I'm trying to use up, I would happily put it in my eggs. The ricotta on top of the eggs didn't do anything for me--it seemed pretty tasteless, and putting the cool cheese on my warm eggs cooled them off faster. Maybe that would be better with some kind of artisan cheese, but it wouldn't add enough in my mind to make it worth buying the cheese especially.

[Gardenarian]

AmeliaJane - that sounds like it would make a good omelet. I often substitute either queso fresco or cottage cheese for ricotta - both are tastier (to me) and cheaper.
I get a pot of basil at Trader Joe's and if you keep pinching it back it will grow for quite a long time - very nice to have fresh basil on hand!

[AmeliaJane]

Sadly, I have no space for outside plants and my apartment is too dark to keep a leafy plant happy. So no fresh basil growing for me. But sometimes I am lucky enough to be the recipient of other people's basil overages! I will keep this recipe in mind then...

[Chickpea]

I made banana bread for the first time today. I was very pleased with it! quite proud in fact :|(

I used the recipe here:http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/bananabread_85720

I halved the amount of sugar and still found it quite sweet, if i make again i'll take another ounce off. I also added some dates and some spices (mixed spice, 2 powdered cloves, 1 powdered cardemon, and a few fennel seeds).

This is how mine turned out: http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l98/creatureofbedlam/bananaanddatebread3.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l98/creatureofbedlam/bananaanddatebread2.jpg

It looks quite dense but its surprisingly light and lovely and moist and springy.

[razz]

Chickpea, that type of spice sounds delicious for a banana bread.

[Chickpea]

Yes, i think it went well :) the bread has *mysteriously* disappeared already.

[AmeliaJane]

This week it was the "Dutch Baby" variant in "In The Kitchen With a Good Appetite," which the author's family always called a David Dares Pancake (a mishearing of the original recipe name.) A Dutch Baby is basically an oven-baked popover/pancake--it has been years since I made one, so it was fun to have the excuse. This author has the variant of sprinkling on powdered sugar and then returning to the oven for a few minutes to melt the sugar, which was tasty. I served it with sliced blood oranges and grilled bacon.

How well did I stick to the recipe? Very well. I didn't make any changes, except for using a little less lemon juice sprinkled on top than the author called for.

Frugal? Very. It's eggs, milk, flour, and butter with a little powdered sugar and lemon juice on top.

Healthy? Not with half a stick of butter in the pan, it's not.

Recipe well-written? Fairly good, although the author continues to rely on the cook's pre-existing knowledge more than she should. I had to bake it a few more minutes than required.

And most important--tasty?

Oh, very--again, half a stick of butter. The problem was that for the amount of calories being consumed, it was not very filling. Some Dutch baby recipes call for putting fruit in the bottom of the pan, and that probably would have made it a little more satisfying. Still, it was a fun Saturday night meal and I'm glad I tried it. I had a salad for lunch, so the day balanced overall.

[AmeliaJane]

I ended up taking a break from this project for a couple of months because I had multiple houseguests and weekend work assignments, interspersed with a couple of colds. Finally I get to go back to doing some fun things! This week's recipe from "In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite" was "Potato and Egg Tortilla with Garlic Aioli" which is a baked Spanish omelet.

How well did I stick to the recipe? Fairly well, but not entirely. I didn't realize I was almost out of onion, so I ended up putting in only half of what was called for. I also forgot it called for fresh basil. The bigger problem was that I ruined the garlic aioli by using garlic that was too old.

Frugal? Yes--it involves eggs, potatoes, garlic, and onions. Probably the most expensive ingredient is the half-cup of olive oil and even that is not so bad if you buy it in bulk.

Healthy? Not too bad, other than the aioli (and you could use just a little of that) and the butter for cooking the eggs.

Recipe well-written? Not bad, but this author is not good at explaining how to cook eggs. This time they came out fine, but I was really guessing about what I was doing.

And most important--tasty?

Not bad. I think I would have liked the tortilla better with the full amount of onions, and of course having the garlic aioli would have helped a lot. I learned some new dishes. I don't know that I would rush out to make this again, but it was interesting to try once.

[AmeliaJane]

I have tried two new recipes since last posting. First was the Olive Oil Granola with Pistachios and Apricots from "In the Kitchen with a Good Appetite." It was very delicious, but not at all healthy or frugal. It also didn't turn out quite right, just like every other recipe I had tried from that book--following the directions ended up with slightly overcooked ingredients. So I decided to switch to "A Homemade Life" by Molly Wizenberg, who is the author of the Orangette (http://orangette.blogspot.com/) cooking blog.

The first thing I tried was her father's potato salad, which involved adding fresh dill and ranch dressing to the usual potato salad ingredients. It was really good, even though I substituted light mayo and salad dressing for the regular kinds. My mom's potato salad will always be my favorite, but this was really good as well!

[Rosemary]

I forgot about this thread but will see how many recent cookbook recipes I can remember.

Oven-"fried" chicken - a Cooks Illustrated "makeover" (meaning it doesn't use sticks of butter like their usual recipes) recipe that I modified to be gluten-free. The homemade tartar sauce accompanying recipe was excellent (modified to use plain yogurt in place of sour cream, used pickle instead of cornichon). I used cod instead of halibut despite the warning that it was too moist; dipped it in masa (instead of flour), then whole egg (instead of 2 egg whites) beaten with a little of the tartar sauce, then masa again. Took longer to bake than recipe specified. Everyone liked it very much.

Oh, and I made a slightly modified version of Hell's Kitchen's Mahnomin Porridge for breakfast today. It's wild rice, cooked, then the recipe adds dried blueberries and cranberries, a lot of heavy cream, chopped hazelnuts, and some maple syrup. I used frozen, thawed blueberries and cranberries, about half the maple syrup, and hazelnut "cream" (thick puree) instead of cream and chopped hazelnuts. It was good. Recipe (http://www.franken.senate.gov/?p=breakfast)

[Tiam]

I'm pretty sure the last thing I looked up in my cookbooks was a pie crust. Pretty much now, I use the internet to look up recipes. I probably have about 15 cookbooks. At least 10 are pre 1955. I only have them for nostalgia. I don't try to make many recipes out of them though. There was one though, in the old Betty Crocker that was the hot water fudge cake? Where you poured cold water on top? What was that called. I always wanted to try and never have!

[Rosemary]

I think those cakes that use hot water on top are often called "pudding cakes." I've never tried one.

Yesterday I modified this recipe to make some granola bars for DD's girl scout troop (from Mollie Katzen's book Sunrise Cafe):
http://molliekatzen.com/recipes/recipe.php?recipe=protein_bars
(I did not use soy protein powder, added more oats instead; subbed 1 package silken tofu for yogurt; doubled cinnamon; reduced salt; added 1 c raisins)

[AmeliaJane]

This week I was sampling cookbooks and actually tried three new recipes!

Blackberry Pound Cake from "A Homemade Life." This is actually a variation offered on the Blueberry-Raspberry Poundcake, but blackberries are in season here and the other berries are not. This was interesting because you mixed the batter (up to the point of adding the berries) in a food processor which I had never tried and had some doubts about. It worked really well. This was to take to a social event and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

Halibut Shepherd's Pie from "Fast, Easy, Fresh" (Bon Appetit). I was surprised by how easy this was, since I made it at the end of a long day. You basically saute your veggies, add a little flour and broth to make the sauce, cook the fish (I had frozen tilapia I was trying to use up, it was fine) and some fresh spinach, put in a baking dish and cover with mashed potatoes; then broil a few minutes. I used the grocery store mashed potatoes because I had a coupon and they worked fine. It was really good--if I did this again, I would definitely add mushrooms also.

Chicken Braised in Riesling (Gourmet Weeknight). This one I did not love as much. It was messy to make and although good, I was not in love with the end result. It called for boiled baby potatoes on the side, and I wished I had just steamed some rice.

[SteveinMN]

Blackberry Pound Cake from "A Homemade Life." This is actually a variation offered on the Blueberry-Raspberry Poundcake, but blackberries are in season here and the other berries are not. This was interesting because you mixed the batter (up to the point of adding the berries) in a food processor which I had never tried and had some doubts about. It worked really well. This was to take to a social event and everyone seemed to enjoy it.
Years ago my mom used to make a pound cake (sometimes blueberry but typically plain) and almost soak it in a sweet blueberry wine. Quite tasty, I thought, though maybe not the kind of thing you could bring to any social event.