Friday, January 1, 2010

Challenge Explanation and Kick-Off


I'm tired of not cooking from my cookbooks. Tired of it.

I'm tired of making a list in each of the 100+ cookbooks in my collection of delicious-sounding recipes that I intend to make...and rarely ever do. It's a new year, and it's time for a change.

I received the 2009 edition of Southern Living Annual Recipes for Christmas, and I realized that I now have 10 years' worth of these cookbooks (not all consecutive)...and I really should start cooking from them.

So, that said, I'm going to cook 100 recipes from the 10 editions over the next 12 months. I'm not going to cook a certain/equal amount from each book...just 100 total.

Why these cookbooks? Well, there are tons of recipes to choose from each year (800+), they range in difficulty, and, above all else, they're Southern.

I'll review every recipe I try, good or bad, along with any substitutions or adjustments I made along the way. Plus...photos!

Let me be perfectly clear...this is strictly personal. This challenge is for my own sense of accomplishment. The blog is really just a way to keep me accountable...and I'd love for you to tune in for the ride.

In fact, I'd love your help! Once a month, I'll post a list of five recipes I'm considering for the upcoming weeks...cast your vote and I'll cook the winner.

7 comments:

Melissa said...

Oh, I'm so with you, Jill. My New Year's Resolution is to "get back to cooking dinner again." I've been relying on the same three meals for too long and have lost all interest in cooking as a result. I need to start making more of the recipes I tell myself I'm going to make. Love the idea for your challenge and your new blog! (Just subscribed ... and hopefully, it will help with my resolution. :)

Jenny G said...

Good for you! I am going to track my cooking lessons with Jill on my blog!

Margot said...

What a great idea. I've collected so many recipes over the years and bought cookbooks, but then I don't make anything from them. I need to challenge myself in this area too.

I'm putting this blog on my Google Reader so I can watch for each new update. It will be fun to see how your year goes. Good luck.

Beth F said...

Good luck and have fun with this!!!

Pat Loyacano said...

I am excited about your challenge. Are you going to share the food as well as the recipes?

Jenny said...

I have 12 years worth of these on my shelf. They are my "go to" cookbooks for everything. Can't wait to follow along with you.

Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBooks said...

I had to see what this blog was all about (I recognized your name, of course, but not this URL on a recent comment you left).

How fun! You're 3 months into the challenge as I write this, and it seems you're on track ... the idea of a blog to keep you accountable is brilliant!