Sunday, January 2, 2022

Around the Kitchen Table -- What We're Cooking This Year + 4-book #Giveaway


LESLIE BUDEWITZ: "The New Year -- full of things that have never been."

When we gathered around Peg's table in December, we talked about our goals and plans for 2022, most of them related to travel and writing. A couple of us mentioned recipes we want to try. I thought it might be fun to toss out a few ideas for what we hope to cook and kitchen skills we'd like to acquire in the year ahead. Of course, for us, our books dictate some of our new recipes--a year ago, I could not have predicted that I'd be making Chocolate Peppermint Bars in June and testing Peppermint Mocha recipes on summer's hottest day! (Yes, time is goofy these days, but it was all in the service of you, dear readers, and Peppermint Barked, the 6th Spice Shop mystery, coming this July.)  

Photo courtesy Pixabay

We have an espresso machine we dearly love, and I vow to learn to make latte art this year. I've managed the occasional accidental heart, but spider webs, skeletons, cat paws? What a treat! 

Mr. Right lived in India for a year as a young man, traveling and studying music, and we're planning a deep dive into Indian food this year, much as we explored French cooking last year. Watch this space for naan, sag paneer, pakoras, and much more!

Speaking of treats, it's been a treat to write and cook along side our dear Mary Jane Maffini, who also writes, with her daughter Victoria, as Victoria Abbott. This month we say farewell and thank you. You can count on MJ returning as a guest now and then, when she can break away from her family and her writing. Her many contributions are still in the recipe index that runs on the sidebars, under her various names. Thank you for the friendship and the good food, MJ!

And we welcome a new blogger to the Kitchen, VM Burns, author of the Mystery Bookshop mysteries, the Baker Street mysteries, and more. We're eager to see what Valerie cooks up! 

We're also debuting a new feature. We've dubbed the third Sunday of the month "Spotlight Sunday." Each of us will take a turn stepping into the virtual spotlight and telling you more about ourselves and our books. We think it will be a lot of fun, and hope you do, too.

So, blog sisters and dear readers, what's cooking in your kitchen in the coming year? Share your tasty plans in the comments for a chance to win a prize package from us! 

🎆🎆🎆

MAYA CORRIGAN: The 2021 holidays this year have given me two new cooking avenues to explore in 2022: sheet-pan roasting and sous vide. 

A friend gave me the Sheet Pan 5-Ingredient Cookbook. I've already found some recipes in it that I'd like to try, though "5" is used loosely in the book. The author states upfront that olive oil, butter, onion, garlic, citrus, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper don't count! I understand not counting ingredients like salt and pepper (which cooks can use to their taste) or oil when it's the medium of cooking (vs. an ingredient in a salad dressing). The recipes in the book, if you include everything except oil and salt/pepper, have between 5 and 10 ingredients. A bit of false advertising in the title, but fudging the ingredients is not uncommon in five-ingredient cookbooks. I aim for more honesty in my series. Aside from optional seasonings or garnishes, the recipes I include in my Five-Ingredient Mysteries really have just five ingredients.  

Though I'd heard of sous vide cooking, I hadn't experienced it firsthand until my sister used that method to cook a pork tenderloin for Christmas dinner. It was good, but not so good that I'm rushing to buy another kitchen device, especially since sous vide cooking takes more time than the methods I currently use. 
🍓🌱🍇

LESLIE KARST: This may sound a little odd, but what I want to try cooking this coming year is pig’s feet. “Trotters,” as they’re also colorfully known. The history of this new year’s resolution is that I purchased a half a hog a while back—a heritage, pastured, Duroc hog, to be exact—along with a deep freeze to preserve it. But now that I’ve cooked my way through the more traditional cuts such as loin, shoulder, and chops, I’m moving on to the nether parts of the beast, such as the belly and, yes, the feet. Because when you buy a half an animal, you get most everything from snout to tail, and I certainly don’t want to waste any of it

A little online research has told me that the best way to prepare trotters is to simmer them in water seasoned with spices, then slash the skin, drizzle it with oil, and roast till the skin is crackly and crisp and the meat inside fall-off-the-bone tender. But if any of you have any experience with pigs' feet, I'd love to hear about it! 

🌿🐖🍏

PEG COCHRAN/MARGARET LOUDON:  Two things come to mind immediately.  The first is Madeleines.  I bought a Madeleine pan back in--mumble, mumble--and I've yet to use it.  The cookies would make a lovely treat on Valentine's Day, wouldn't they?  I also have a package of egg roll wrappers in the freezer that I bought even before the Madeleine pan.  As the saying goes, there's no time like the present, so I plan to whip up a couple of different types of egg rolls.  There are plenty of "light" recipes that won't interfere with getting back on track with healthy eating in the new year.  If these experiments are successful I might try making sourdough bread.  I managed to kill the starter my daughter gave me (shhh, don't tell her) so I will have to start from scratch.  And perhaps by the end of 2022 I will finally try my hand at making my own puff pastry.  That's been on my bucket list for far too long!

🥖🍪🍩

MADDIE DAY: So many ambitions, ladies! Leslie K, just simmer those trotters in a good Brazilian black bean feijoada. Leslie B, I love cooking Indian with Madhur Jaffrey's cookbooks. Maya, sheet pan cooking is so yummy, and so easy. Peg, good luck with your projects. 

We hauled out the mandolin to make thin potato slices for our Christmas day Pommes Dauphinoise. We'd used the device only once, I think. Yes, it's wicked sharp, but it was easy and safe, and now I want to do more with it. (Except, who thought it was a good idea to give a slicer and a musical instrument the same name, plus or minus an E?) I would also like to do more authentic Japanese cooking. I lived there for two years and have so many fond taste memories. 

🥔🍠🍟

VICKI DELANY: My goal is to try my hand at macarons. I am quite a good baker, if I do say so myself, but I haven't yet been brave enough to try these. They look quite difficult and require, so I've been told, a lot of practice. I never practice baking. I bake only what I want to eat or to share. But this year I do want to get familiar with these. In the Tea by the Sea mysteries, Lily Roberts is always baking macarons in the tea room. I include recipes in the books, but only those I've made myself.  It's about time I included some macarons, don't you think? 

🌼🍋🍈

LUCY BURDETTE: I received a wonderful new cookbook for Christmas called CHERYL DAY'S TREASURY OF SOUTHERN BAKING. It will be hard to know where to start: do I make the three citrus cake with my neighbor's key limes? Cheese and bacon scones? Butterscotch pudding? Stay tuned to this station and you'll see it right here!

🍜🍮🍯

MOLLY MacRAE: My goals are to: 1. Make sticky toffee pudding for the first time. It's not difficult, I've just never done it. 2. Find a local source for vegetarian suet and see how that works in traditional Scottish steamed pudding recipes using my lovely pudding bowl. 


3. Make vegetarian haggis and see if it's at all like real haggis (which I love but don't eat anymore because of the vegetarian thing). 4. Try to make my mother's fruitcake for next year's holiday. Her fruitcake was lovely and dark and especially good when served with hard sauce. Mom and a neighbor made them every year in late fall and fed them regularly with brandy for weeks. No one has her recipe, but I think traditional British Christmas cake must come pretty close. 

🌿🍮🍟

TINA KASHIAN: So many fabulous goals, ladies! My goal is to cook more vegetarian dishes. I received several cookbooks for Christmas. None are dedicated to vegetarian cooking, but each include tempting vegetarian dishes. I want to cook healthier for 2022 and to try different veggies than the normal ones in my diet. I also want my two teenage girls to eat healthier. Let's see how it goes!

🍉🍜🌴

MIA P. MANANSALA: Some great goals here! Leslie, in the Philippines, we have a dish called crispy pata that you absolutely have to try! My goal is to cook more often (this past year had me relying on takeout/delivery WAY more than I'd like) and to incorporate more vegetables and seafood into my diet. Seafood is already one of my favorites, but because quality fish can be pricey, I haven't eaten it as often as I'd like. I want to find affordable, sustainable ways to indulge in my seafood obsession. Also, Barnes & Noble had a 50% hardcover sale recently, so I used the gift cards I received as presents to pick up quite a few cookbooks. One of the cookbooks I plan on diving into is "Weekday Vegetarians." I don't think I could ever go fully vegetarian (or even pescatarian) but I love the idea of eating mostly vegetarian throughout the week. Here's hoping my husband agrees (he won't, but I can dream)!

 🌹☕🌹

CLEO COYLE: Tasty topic for the New Year, Leslie! We are loving your pudding bowl, Molly. And, Tina & Mia, Marc and I are not vegetarians, either, but we’re always interested in creative new ways to play with veggies. As for our foodie goals in 2022, we are happily continuing our love affair with honey...


(Click the cover to learn more)

Though we’ve used honey for years in our kitchen, the joys of that sweet ambrosia, its floral varietals, and the many ways to cook and bake with it are seemingly limitless. We look forward to sharing our appreciation of nature’s perfect food (and the culture of urban beekeeping) in HONEY ROASTED, our 19th Coffeehouse Mystery, publishing this February 1st. Happy New Year, everyone, may it bring you a bounty of good eats and good reads! ~ Cleo 





Farewell, Mary Jane! We're sorry you're leaving. 
Welcome, Valerie! We're glad you're joining us. 
And Happy New Year, writers and readers!


GIVEAWAY! 


To be entered in this month's
group giveaway,
join us in the comments.

What are you looking forward
 to cooking (or eating!) in 2022?

Include your email address,
so we can contact the winner!


BATTER OFF DEAD (ARC) by Maddie Day

ASSAULT & PEPPER by Leslie Budewitz

BREWED AWAKENING by Cleo Coyle

HEATHER AND HOMICIDE by Molly MacRae


Comments Open through
Wednesday, January 5

Don't forget to include
an email address!

📚

 

122 comments:

  1. I've been thinking about baking a German Chocolate Cake. It's been quite a while since I've made one. Thank you for a chance at your giveaway. pgenest57 at aol dot com

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    1. Oh, so good! I'm already thinking ahead to my March birthday cake and that would be a good one!

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  2. I want to make a rolled cake, like a jelly roll cake or one with a pumpkin filling. Everyone says they are 'easy' but I am nervous!! sharonquiltsatyahoodotcom

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    1. What's the worst that can happen? So it falls apart -- it will still be delicious and you'll be laughing and you'll know what not to do next time1 Go for it!

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    2. Failed rolled cakes me great trifles! Layer with whipped cream, some kind of sauce, maybe pudding. Trifles have rescued more than one Christmas dessert.

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    3. I make Pumpkin Rolls every year and made my first Carrot Cake Roll this year that turned out great. I will say once you've got the process down they are easy but it did take me a few tries before I got them coming out not only tasting good but look it good. If you need any tips I would be happy to share what I've learned since I started making them.

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  3. Happy 2022 to all, and wishes for a yummy New Year!
    MJ: Sorry to see you go, but I hope to read a new Camilla book soon!
    Maddie: Will be curious to see what authentic Japanese dishes you end up making.
    VALERIE: Welcome! Looking forward to seeing your posts/contributions on MLK this year.

    I am an eclectic cook and baker. I love trying a bunch of new recipes every year. Both MILK STREET and FOOD52's websites have been great resources for global recipes.

    One new cookbook I bought this year is FOOD52 GENIUS DESSERTS: 100 RECIPES THAT WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU BAKE by Kristen Milgore. I made several yummy "genius" recipes in 2020 and 2021, so I am sure I will find some keeper recipes in this book.

    I have read 2 of the 4 books in your generous giveaway but I am looking forward to reading the others this year
    grace dot koshida at gmail dot come

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    1. AUTOCORRECT: Really? the last word in my email should be "com" not "come"!

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    2. Darn autocorrect! Grace, I'll keep you informed. I have a Japanese cookbook I love that I want to dust off and explore - haven't peeked inside it in years.

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  4. Thank you for this column and the enjoyable reading, both blog and book along with recipe suggestions throughout the year.
    My baking goal is to make bagels and I am trying to choose among several recipes. King Arthur Flour site has three, all slightly different and there are many others on the web.
    Otherwise, my goal is to keep calm and remain open minded and tolerant. lrj

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    1. You can't go wrong with King Arthur -- or a good bagel!

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    2. I make Weight Watcher bagels--Greek yogurt mixed with flour and topped with Everything Bagel Seasoning. They're not bad!

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  5. My goal is to learn how to make Macedonian dish called Sarma which is stuffed cabbage.
    Happy 2022!
    Jess
    maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I LOVE Sarma! My in-laws were Serbian and it's also a Serbian dish. My mother-in-law would arrive for Christmas with a tote bag full of freezer bags stuffed with sarma that she carried on the plane! I've never tried to make it but I''m adding that to my list for 2022!

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    2. Hi Peg, today is Orthodox Christmas and we are celebrating with Sarma!

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    3. Hi Peg,
      Today is Orthodox Christmas and we are celebrating it with Sarma! My mother in law uses sour head cabbage leaves. Did your MIL do the same?

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  6. Good luck, Mary Jane! Will miss your contributions to this blog. And Happy New Year to all the MLK writers.

    Have to say, I really don't have any cooking goals, mostly thanks to ennui from not having much of a social life these last two years. However, I really should start making bread again, and often, instead of relying on storebought. The kind we like has gotten hard to find.

    k maslowski at fuse dot net And thank you!

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  7. I got a book full of cookie recipes I'm dying to try, a pina colada cake ball type of thing I'm curious about, plus it's been far too long since I've made a black forest cake.
    kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Oh, Black Forest! Going on the list of Birthday Cake possibilities!

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  8. I want to make A batch of my grandma’s sandtart cookies and make a big pot of chili since we finally got some cold weather hear in DFW.
    Kitten143 (at) Verizon (dot) net

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  9. Excited to try new recipe in the new year from friends/authors, recipes inspired by the books I read or in my search for something "different" to get out of the normal rut we all find ourselves in from time to time.

    However, I'm just as excited to work on downsizing tried and true recipes that haven't been made for ages because it's just the two of us - neither who really enjoy leftovers (that's another story). As in with other things in our lives, we don't need as much as we once did. The big casserole that I could share with my folks or invite company over isn't required any more. Most of the recipes handed down to my from my Mom and Granny were made to fed a LOT of folks. So in 2022, I want to take the recipe book that I created all those years ago and revise the ingredients to make smaller more easily devoured servings.

    While I have the basic learning for many nationalities foods (thanks to being an old Army brat raised around many sharing nationalities), I want to expand my cooking abilities to more than the most common of foods.

    Thank you for the fabulous opportunity to win FOUR wonderful books - three I'm dying to read and one I'm in the process of reading, but would make an awesome upcoming birthday present. Shared and hoping to be the fortunate one.

    May this year be your happiest and healthiest year with many books in your future both for your profit and our enjoyment!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. That's a marvelous goal, Kay. I have occasionally looked wide-eyed at how much a recipe made, then packed some up for a neighbor who cooks but doesn't bake. Win-win!

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  10. Becoming more creative with meals which are very unique and appealing. I cook but I strive to make even better and tastier delicacies. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. I'm so sorry to see Mary Jane leave but am so happy to see V.M. Burns is joining you. I love her books! For the cooking plans, I've been trying to find healthier recipes that aren't too "out there". As soon as I see ingredients I've never heard of or are expensive, I lose interest in trying them. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com

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  12. There are several one pan meals that I have saved and want to try. They all look delicious so choosing which one to be first could be difficult.
    3labsmom(at)gmail.(com)

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    1. Brenda, several of us have posted one-pot pasta dishes or sheet pan meals over the years. Try putting "one pot" or "Sheet pan" in our search bar and see what you find!

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  13. I want to break out of my comfort zone and try cooking new things. I also need to work on my procrastination about cooking. Once I do make new foods, I love most of them but actually starting a new recipe is my weak spot. egoehner(at)roadrunner(dot)com

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    1. Emily, good for you wanting to try something new. I hope our photo illustrations help with that itty-bitty fear -- that's our goal!

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  14. Whatever will go in the microwave but I am going to try to eat healthier and try some simple recipes.

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  15. I am trying more vegetarian recipes myself. I made Moroccan lentil soup yesterday. It was really good, especially for the cold day we had. I have an entire bookshelf of eclectic cookbooks. I'm hoping to go through those and pick different things through the year. ( Hubby is a meat and tator guy, so wish me luck! lol michele4ou@att.net

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    1. I love lentil soup! Fortunately hubby does too and he's pretty much meat and potatoes as well or anything with Tex-Mex flavors.

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  16. I live baking Angel Food cake. So I made one for New Year’s Eve. As tradition I always make lentil soup after New Year’s with left overs game. It is one thing my dad always asks for as one of his Christmas gifts along with butter cookies. We don’t see him until after the holiday because he lives 2 1/2 hours always from us. We pick a day to meet up and exchange gifts.

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  17. Ohh but it looks like we will be having some fun coming our way from the authors. How exciting. I love to try new recipes. This year I want to try some more recipes with butternut squash and spaghetti squash. We need to get away from potatoes and noodles, so bring in the veggies. I look forward to what this blog brings our way. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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    1. Yummy goals, Lori! Use the search bar for butternut and spaghetti squash -- I've posted several recipes for each, and I know my blog sisters have, too!

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  18. Cooking gourmet meals with very little effort would be wonderful since everyone enjoys this experience. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  19. I'm going to try making healthy smoothies with the smoothie maker I received. Lmmeidam@gmail.com

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  20. I want to learn to do more vegan and gluten free cooking - I tend to fall back on the sane standard fried chicken dinner too much I want to make more and healthier options.

    Claire.denning.11@gmail.com

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    1. Great goals, Claire! We try to remember to use those labels -- scroll down the index or use the search function -- but I bet we've missed a lot. Daryl Wood Gerber's recipes were all g-f and they are still in our archives.

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  21. I would love to try more recipes from books this year.

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  22. Leslie--I look forward to you inspiring me with Indian cooking. We love it.
    Maya--sous vide? Why do something that takes longer? Don't get it.
    Leslie--Heritage pork and trotters? Wow. I'm impressed. Look forward to hearing how you do with the trotters.
    Peg/Margaret--Make your own puff pastry? Life is too short for me to try. I'll just buy it, thanks.
    Maddie--That is a great question about mandolin(e)s.
    Vicki--Macarons. Tried one once. Wasn't impressed. Guess that isn't exactly a fair test, though, is it?
    Lucy--Yes to all of the things you mentioned.
    Molly--That is a beautiful bowl. What on earth is "vegetarian suet"? How does it differ from vegetable shortening?
    Tina--I got "Mostly Plants" by the Pollan family as a Christmas gift. It's a "flexitarian" approach to food, not all meat, not all vegetables, not all fish. A reasonable mix of them all with a heavy emphasis on vegetables. I tried the "Sheet Pan Vegetables and Tofu Dinner". Everything is roasted (sequentially as needed) on roasting pans and then grated cheese (Monterey jack and cheddar) is melted over it. Quite tasty.
    Mia--The best fish may be in the frozen food section of the store.
    Cleo--As to honey, have you ever tried a Bee's Knees gin drink? The whole flavor profile is set by the fragrance of the honey used.

    Very best wishes for the new year to your all.
    Thanks you for making our lives more interesting and tasty!

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    1. Got so busy responding to everyone I forgot to include this--libbydodd at comcast dot net

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    2. And thank YOU, dear Libby, for being one of our most loyal readers and cooks!

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    3. Might have to try a Bee's Knees, as I'm quite the fan of gin, Libby! And happy new year to you--thanks for all your fun and insightful comments in the Kitchen!

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  23. Thanks for the ideas, Edith and Mia! And sticky toffee pudding (Molly) and macarons (Vicki) sound delicious--maybe I'll get inspired to do some more baking this year!

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  24. Welcome V.M. Burns and good luck, MJ. I plan to cook more this year and use my air fryer more.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. A cold front blew in last night so I think some venison chili will be just the thing for dinner tonight.
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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    1. My friend made venison chili and didn't tell us she used venison until afterwards. It was delicious and did not taste "gamey" at all. I asked for the recipe.

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  26. I'm pretty good at baking and cooking most things but I have never been able to cook meat properly. I always am afraid it's not done and end up overcooking it. So I guess my goal is to figure out how to get it just right. Happy New Year to everyone!

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    1. Oh, that's an important goal! Maybe start by finding a meat thermometer and a list of temperature recommendations.

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  27. It is 23 here today, so I am thinking some soups with cornbread sounds really good!

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  28. Happy New Year, all! As usual, such an interesting variety of foods and plans for the year. I got a basic espresso machine again after years of not having one (and having sworn off Starbucks for various reasons) and am enjoy one good latte every couple of days. Pig's feet - made me think of eating pickled pig's feet with my dad when I was young. Unusual but tasty. My food plan for this year is to continue the cooking "from scratch" that started up again with more at home time. I love to cook but had gotten away from the harder recipes -- but lots of time now, right? Also need to incorporate some healthier menus. Brussels sprouts rediscovered, our new favorite. Bye bye, Mary Jane - stay in touch!
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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    1. My grandmother was a fan of pickled pig's feet but I have to confess I never tried them!

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    2. The boon in cooking at home is a gift of the times, isn't it? And watch this space for a Brussels sprouts dish from me, coming Tuesday!

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    3. I've never tried pickled pigs' feet, but I've seen them for sale in pubs in England. Maybe on my next visit...

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  29. I would like to explore cookbooks and shopping sites for one,now that I am alone. Not everyone has a big family or cooks for a crowd!
    For pigs feet, may I suggest a good German cook book - Amish or Mennonite cooking should have receipes.
    loves2mini at hotmail dot com

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  30. Pigs feet are a popular Chinese dish - seasonings vary by region. I do remember that my Mom uses a pressure cooker to speed up the cooking time.
    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  31. Thai food and Tex mex food. Really interested in learning more about what makes it Tex mex since it’s popular in our new state we will be moving to!

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  32. "What are you looking forward to cooking (or eating!) in 2022?" Some actual French chef runs a catering kitchen in our area, and you can place orders by phone and pick things up. I'd like to order a croque monsieur or a croque madame sometime. I think it would cost $15.00, but I it would be great as a special treat.

    I only had authentic French croque monsieurs or croque madames once or twice many years ago at a gourmet takeaway place in Washington, D.C., probably near the Kalorama neighborhood and K Street. They had black styrofoam trays with bunches and bunches of these incredible French sandwiches wrapped in cling film. They were so good!

    jsmith[delete brackets]3may[delete brackets]2011

    [at symbol]

    yahoo[dot]com

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  33. I so need new books to
    Read. Would love these so much. Jillnfilm@aol.com.

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  34. My goal is learn how to make Vietnamese food.
    xzjh04(at) gmail(dot) com. Happy Néw Year😀

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  35. Since it's just me, I don't do a lot of
    cooking. When I do cook, I can't pare
    down portions so I eat what I want and
    then put the rest in the freezer for
    days when I don't want to cook or not
    going to go out and eat. Yesterday
    I made loaded baked potato soup and a
    spinach quiche. Have 4 more meals
    of soup (besides the two I've eaten)
    and three more servings of quiche.
    (Ate 1 1/2 meals from that already.
    Will be good to get that soup out
    on one of these cold winter days.
    thanks for asking.
    txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Sounds like you've figured out how to make that freezer your friend!

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  36. I am always looking for new dairy free recipes for my daughter who is allergic to dairy. It is always cool to learn new ways to substitute ingredients too.

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  37. I've always wanted to try (both cook and eat) beef wellington. I'm hoping to make it for Valentine's Day! slowthorp (at) iowatelecom (dot) com

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    1. We've made it for Christmas the last two years -- individual steaks rather than a whole tenderloin. So good! I think the recipe came from the Food Network, but I haven't shared it here -- though you will see a picture on Tuesday!

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  38. One thing I look forward to is the roasted boneless leg of lamb for Easter. We don't have it any other time of year, so it's a real treat.
    Also this year is our son's wedding in July. Since his fiancee is from Trinidad, we are looking forward to meeting more of her family and learning about Trini food.
    J_c_elliott@msn.com

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    1. I've loved discovering how good lamb is! And what a treat it will be to learn about your new DIL's traditions!

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  39. I'm building on last year's attempt to try new recipes with some regularity. With kids and busy days, it's easy to just fall back on the basics and avoid the time it takes to look for new recipes and make them. I tried a brussel sprouts recipe for Christmas that was super yummy and I'm excited to try more veggie recipes as a result. I'm also hoping to try several recipes that I've saved from my cozies thanks to y'all! Happy New Year!! kjp1025@gmail.com

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    1. We're delighted to hear that you cook from your cozies!

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  40. I'm excited to cook more from my cookbooks! I also love using my crock pot, even for desserts! I'm wanting to try more soups this winter.
    Happy New Year!! 🍾🥂
    Thanks for the chance!!!
    jarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  41. I am looking forward to cooking and eating lots of great soups, especially in the first months of 2022. I love to make these soups: split pea with ham, white bean soup, black bean soup, loaded baked potato soup, beef and barley soup, taco soup and so many more!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  42. For 2022, I have decided to change my eating habits. I would do a lot of vegetarian dishes, but strayed away. I need to go back to a healthier lifestyle for my health.

    Linda Ortiz
    strgth4yu(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  43. I'd rather bake than cook a meal. I'd like to perfect scones and Madelines. However in order to balance things out I'm going to try making some different soups.

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  44. In my kitchen I plan to learn to make a rolled cake. My first try at Christmas and it broke but it tasted great.

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    1. I make Pumpkin Rolls every year and did a Carrot Cake Roll this year that turned out great so if you need any tips I would be happy to share what I know. Keep trying though, it took me some time to make them well but once I did it made me feel very accomplished.

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    2. The attempt -- and the taste -- are what count, right? And Taryn, what a sweet offer!

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  45. Hi, i would like to make sourdough bread! Dont know where to get starter! My new adventure!!

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    1. Ask around -- I think most bread bakers are itching for opportunities to share their discard. You can also start your own!

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  46. I am looking forward to going to a restaurant and feeling safe again! I haven't eaten out in such a long time!

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  47. My goal is to do more baking with the kids, namely to recreate favourites from our favourite cafes and bakeries, like walnut shortbread with einkorn flour or swirly icebox cookies. One priority, though: Swiss rolls with cream cheese frosting. Can they be done? Perhaps, but the most important part will be sneaking in time with my teens, so win-win for me! Thank you, Literary Mystery Ladies, for your books and this wonderful newsletter/community. You have all really boosted my inbox and quality of life, before and through this pandemic! Happy New Year; looking forward to more cozy and culinary adventures with you all. kerawin at gmail dot com

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    1. Kera, we are so happy! And let us know when the rolls are ready -- we'll be right over! (All twelve of us.)

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  48. I made my first thin layered yellow cake with chocolate icing. I was planning on 12 layers but ended up doing 10. It was definitely a learning experience. It tasted great but didn't look great. The recipe is a definite keeper but I've made some changes to the process which should make for a better looking cake and less of a mess during the process. I look forward to trying my changes. I also did a Carrot Cake Roll Cake that turned out great, I make Pumpkin Rolls all the time so I was more confident in trying it. It was a definite keeper. I love to bake.

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    1. Yay for making changes that work for YOU -- we all do it all the time!

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  49. I'm thinking about starting to bake bread again. I haven't done it in many years but, now that we have a small farm, it's time.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  50. Everyone's plans for 2022 are fun to read! I have a new cookbook, Simple Chinese Cooking by Kylie Kwong, that I've already read through & made a list of ingredients I need to try a few of the recipes so that's my plan for 2022. I'm looking forward to reading everyone's recipes! lnchudej@yahoo.com

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  51. My goal is to try making the recipes that I have ripped out of magazines. The pile keeps growing! Lucy, I also received CHERYL DAY'S TREASURY OF SOUTHERN BAKING as a gift and have seen many recipes that I am looking forward to trying. ioncookbooks at yahoo dot com

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  52. I'd like to try making more vegetarian meals. I'd also like to try baking nut rolls and lady locks.
    Happy New Year!

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  53. I want to try more Mediterranean recipes. I also received two new cookbooks for Christmas, one with tea recipes and one with Japanese food. I have been wanting to try making ramen and new tea recipes are fun. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  54. Not much of a cook. Just to try to keep eating healthy. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  55. I’m looking forward to making chili and cinnamon rolls! jeanna_massman(at)hotmail.com

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  56. I have two goals - find a fresh apple cake recipe similar to the one my grandmother made - the apples were chopped and one of the ingredients is a cup of black coffee. The second goal is make tamales with corn husk wrappers. Happy New Year to all; thank you for the chance to win. madamhawk at g mail dot com

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    1. Apple cake with coffee? I'm intrigued! Maybe some readers can help out!

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  57. I am looking forward to retro cooking, some of my favorites my mother used to make. lindalou64(@)live(dot)COM

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  58. I love carrot cake, think I'm going to try to make one this year! tWarner419@aol.com

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    1. Oh, do! Check our indexes -- the sidebars -- or use our search box. Both Edith/Maddie and I have posted recipes, and there may be others, too.

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  59. Watch for a great breakfast baked dish from me in February!

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  60. As last year was all about stocking up the pantry, this coming year will be using up whatever we have stashed in there before it goes bad. I am hoping to add more vegetables and less sugar into our diet. Looking forward to all of your recipes in the coming year!
    sandra shenton 13 at gmail dot com

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  61. After years of being too busy teaching to do much cooking (and eating school lunches), I am enjoying simple cooking for myself, trying to increase veggies in my diet as I do so . . . but then there are desserts just calling my name. I usually do better buying than making but I did impulsively pick up a mix for Godiva lava cakes . . . just realized it calls for unsalted butter. Hmm, would regular butter make that big a difference? Shall I risk it? Haven't won prizes, but I haven't killed anyone either. ;-)

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  62. My nephew got me a new keto cookbook for Christmas. I'll never go completely keto, but I've been cutting back on the carbs and sugar. So this year I'll be trying to incorporate more low carb/keto recipes into my meal planning.

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  63. I have really enjoyed trying many of the recipes I can't wait to see what all ya'll are all going to share this year on the blog! For my cooking goals this year I want to try making fresh pasta and maybe some ravioli. Thank you for sharing and for opportunity to win one of your books! tracy.condie@gmail.com

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  64. I haven't had lemon bars in a really long time, so I think I will make some this year. I'd also like to use my slow cooker more often because when dinner rolls around, I am too tired to cook! I'll be looking for some good recipes.

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  65. I love to bake so will be doing some experimenting with some new cookie recipes but we're also trying to eat more meat free so I'll be balancing those sweets out with more veggie based meals. I like to prep meals ahead and keep in the freezer until ready to cook so I'll be experimenting with that too!

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  66. I'll just be happy when my arm and shoulder are healed fully enough to allow me to cook more normally with less relying on my overworked hubby for so much help! And eventually cutting down on carbs again, to lose some of my pandemic pounds! lola777_22 at hotmail dot com

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  67. I'm trying to eat more vegetables.
    wskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  68. I would love to cook something different but need an excuse. Right now, I’m too Leary to even have friends over. I want to bake, but I live alone and eat too much junk as it is.
    UCLASara (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  69. I cook a lot of things but not so much pies. I think I would like to do better at pie making.

    jwisley(at)aol(dot)com

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