What Goes with This?!?!? Making a Meal out of Random Recipes

   I LOVE my cookbooks. I LOVE for searching and collecting for recipes online.  However, one of the things I run into the most, is not knowing what to pair with what or what else to serve with a dish I've chosen.  One of the things I am personally working on is creating a meals that are new (to my family) recipes plus some ideas that I come across when I see the same recipe continually float up on my FB.
   I have in the past made an entire meal from one cookbook (see WWF Cookbook Meal) and it turned out pretty good.  I even did it two Christmases ago.  It was fun.  But I can't do that EVERY MEAL with the other stuff going on in my life.  So, I am going to start small and TRY to remember to share once a week with the meals we had this week so that I can possible help others who may get in a rut and not know what to serve with what.  Maybe in the process, I will research and see what some of the others in the food industry say about pair foods together at a meal.
   Changes to the recipes I have linked:
Honey-Lime Shrimp: I used 1lb of medium shrimp, 5 drops of Young Living Lime Essential Oil instead of fresh lime juice and sautéed them instead of grilling this time.  Fried rice is homemade and is still in the process of getting it where I want it.  It was good, but I want it better.
Chicken Penne Pasta:  I make it all on the stove top in a dutch oven.  I use a can of fire-roasted tomatoes and break them up, use veggie broth in place of chicken broth but the rest of the pasta part I do pretty much as written.  I don't even follow the recipe anymore.  I do the chicken on the side for those who like chicken.
Balsamic Glazed Chicken: I also make pork since I don't like chicken.  After it comes out of the oven, I reduce the glaze more on the stove top then pour it on the meat.
*Recipe links are under the menu but above the pictures*

Honey-Lime Shrimp
Chicken Penne Pasta
Balsamic Glazed Chicken

Best Drop Biscuits

Borrowed this cookbook last week from the library. Made the "Best Drop Biscuits" tonight for 'brinner' (breakfast for dinner) along side homemade sausage, home fries and scrambled eggs.
The biscuits turned out well, but not the best for sausage biscuits but would be PERFECT for biscuits & gravy.
The recipe can be found several places online by just searching "Best Drop Biscuits America's Test Kitchen" or you may be lucky like me and find the cookbook at your local library.

Cookbook Challenge!

I am a proud cookbook hoarder aka cookbook addict.  My sister says I have cookbook porn.  I display my addiction with pride and giddiness.
So, I am issuing a challenge to myself this week.  My family, as usual will reap the benefits and give feedback.

 

The Challenge:

Create & execute a menu for dinner this week (beginning Tuesday, May 26th, because I have already planned a menu for tonight for Memorial Day) using a different cookbook for each meal. 

 

The Rules:

• Meal must consist of a main dish & at least one side dish.
• Dessert is optional.  If dessert is chosen, a separate cookbook maybe used since there are several dessert only cookbooks.
• Recipe does not have to be a new recipe; it can be a variation of something made before, but just a little different. (i.e. different version of scalloped potatoes than the one known by heart.)
• Safety dishes (as long as they are side dishes) are allowed in the event the main dish doesn’t meet ones taste buds.
• All meals will be posted with picture and recipe location.  MLA format will not be required in source list.
• No recipes from the internet – unless they are already printed & in a binder on the shelf

You can also follow the progress on our Facebook page!

Cookbook Confession Time Again!

Yesterday, I added 2 more cookbooks to my collection. The International Cookbook from 1929 and The British Belles from Anne Arundel County, Maryland, from 1972.   Both are in outstanding shape, The International Cookbook is VERY good condition for being 84 years old. One of my favorite things about this cookbook, is that it was a gift to Mrs. H. Goodfriend from Miriam Posenblume on 6/2/30.
I haven't had a moment to go through them yet, but the day is still young!