Cookerati

A few years ago, I did a post about new things I’ve learned or done, and what I’d like to do now.  I think New Years Day is a good time to reflect again.  Learning new approaches to food, venturing out beyond my comfort zone, trying new foods or gadgets are all ways of growing.  I’ll share some of what I did this year that was new, and then try to come up with what I still would like to try.  I hope you’ll join in the conversation and share your favorites from last year (2009), as well as what you’d like to try new in 2010 (– or what you’d like to do more of).

   New Experiences 2009

1.  I took a tour of the North Market – that took me way out of my comfort zone and I’d like to do more like that.  I love the North Market, so it was a little easier because of it, but still I was nervous as heck.  I did it though, and I encourage you to step outside your comfort zone too.

2. I cooked with bulgur.  I’m always looking for new grains to try.  I now have a shelf full of grains in containers with screw top lids to hold them – instead of leaving them in the plastic bags.  It’s so cool to look at the shelf and think of how different the recipes would taste using one type of grain over another.  My mother who loves the wild rice I make whenever she’s visiting, went and stocked her own shelves with it, and made it for our family dinner.  She pointed out the containers when I visited, she was so proud.

3.  I stopped using paper napkins.  I’ve wanted to do that for a while, but finally found some on clearance.  Whenever I find one on sale for less than a dollar, I buy it.  I can rotate the napkins in and out of the laundry, and I roll them up to fit in the basket where I kept the paper napkins.  No complaints from the kids or husband because they work great.  I don’t buy paper towels as much either because I put the rag container closer and easier to reach.

4. I now grind my own coffee.  My husband bought me a coffee grinder for Christmas.  The beans stay fresher than the ground coffee.  I just want Peggy – who said she’d buy me a coffee grinder about two years ago and never did, to know that I’m not waiting on her anymore.  In fact, don’t wait on someone to give you something.  Control your own destiny and save your pennies to get what you want.  I bought my own microplane and I love it.  I have learned to tell my husband exactly what I want for presents too, it’s so much better that way.

5. I grew more of my own greens to use this year than ever before.  We had lots of lovely vitamin filled chard from spring until late fall.  When I buy the greens from the store they seem to go bad fast, but pick as you grow or as you need is so much better.  I didn’t can or freeze any, and I’m disappointed that we don’t have any chard available now. 

6.  I followed Rachel Ray’s advice and peeled and froze my ginger.  It’s so much more accessible, so I use it more often.  Adding spices and herbs to my dishes give it a little somethin’ extra. 

What I look forward to in 2010.

1.  Classes.  I want to take some cooking classes, so that I can expand my horizons.  Time wise we’ll see.  Trying to get my son into college is time consuming.

2. Lentils- that’s an ingredient waiting to be used. 

3.  Cardamom – my daughter gave me some fresh ground for Christmas.

4. Cooking with my husband.  I’ve enjoyed doing some of it last year, and hope to do more this year.  I’ve learned to let him take the lead when he’s making a meal, and give him tasks to help out when I’m in charge of the meal. 

5.  Dinner out – that would be a nice change for us, we never have time to go out, or maybe we just feel guilty when we do.  Either way, dinner out would be nice.  Besides, I’ve got a gift card, and I’m gonna use it.

6. Menus – I need to start making up menus for the week.  Planning is my weak spot.  I don’t plan, then I don’t always have the ingredients, or I have the ingredients but no time to make it.  I need to be more organized.

Join in the conversation – What are you happy you did in 2009?  What would you like to try in 2010?