Category Archives: Challenge Recipes

[125] Greek Lemon Soup – Meatless Monday

Cover of The Joy of Cooking (1997 reprint of 1975 edition)

Have I mentioned I’m resolved to try to participate in “Meatless Mondays”? I’m doing it mostly for personal health reasons (I’d also like to lose some weight and such), but also environmental reasons. Finally, it’s a surprisingly large challenge for me. I count anything with a face as “meat” and I aim to be completely meatless one day a week. So this means no fish, no fowl, no mammals in the most obvious form – meat – but also in less obvious forms, such as broth and stock.

I’m not always good at this. It’s been touch and go since I started the challenge. I haven’t managed it every week, but I think I’ve managed more weeks than I haven’t. Of course, since I hadn’t been tracking this in any way until a couple of weeks ago, I can’t actually say.… Continue reading →

[124] Pioneer Woman’s Mac and Cheese

Cover of The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond

So. I made this a long time ago. Looks like about 10 months ago, to be exact. I had forgotten I’d made it. When I looked at the sidebar or “Upcoming Recipes”, I was just sure I’d have to let the “Macaroni and Cheese” go, because I didn’t have the foggiest notion where I’d gotten the recipe.

Then, my habit of photographing the cookbooks with the ingredients saved me. I found the photos of the “Macaroni and Cheese” and was saved. Saved, I tell you! I could report the recipe to you (and thus count it in my totals1). Hooray.

Of course, one ugly truth reared its head. I tried to shove the truth’s head back down, but it would not be denied. What was it?… Continue reading →

[123] Spaghetti with Clams

We actually made this recipe from Cooking for Two way back in February. At least, that’s what the date stamp on the photos say.

I don’t remember much about it. Other than enjoying it, I recall we had a moment or two of wondering if the clams were going to kill us. I don’t, however, remember why. Maybe typing it up will remind me. I hope so, or I’m going to panic making it a second time, and that won’t do.

Having rediscovered it, I think I am likely to make it again soon. Though, do clams have a “season” the way salmon and swordfish do? I don’t think so, but if they do, it might have to wait.

Boo to that. I like clams. I especially like that Seafood Watch says they’re never worse than a “best choice” “good alternative”.… Continue reading →

[122] 2011 Christmas Dinner Bone-In Prime Rib Roast

How to Cook Everything, Revised Edition by Mark Bittman

Last year, Bill and I accidentally started a tradition. At least, it felt that way to me earlier this month, when I was thinking about what to cook for dinner.

Apparently, I felt that way last year too. Even though I made some mistakes last year.

This year was also good, but not as good. I didn’t like the wine as much (a Washington State Malbec vs a Chilean (I think) Pinot Noir). This was a bone-in roast, and also had substantially more fat on it. The rancher (same as last year) had also had the bones cut off the meat, then tied back on. I do not know why, but it prevented carving the way Mr. Bittman suggested.

Anyway, I thought you guys might want a quick look at what we had.… Continue reading →

Another repeat – Pork Shoulder with Chipotle-Orange BBQ Sauce

In the realm of “repeating delicious recipes”, yesterday, as part of our hog share, Bill & I repeated the pork shoulder in chipotle-orange bbq sauce. I’d actually been looking forward to making this again, ever since I gave away all the leftovers & so thoroughly disappointed Mr. Bill.

Too bad it didn’t come out nearly as well this time. Bill’s willing to eat the leftovers, but he’s not as thrilled.

So, what changed?

There were two major things, that I can see. First, the sauce was far more fluid this time than last time. We both agreed it was nearly a glaze last time, and this time it was a fairly thin sauce. There was a lot more of it – it didn’t reduce as thoroughly.… Continue reading →