Wednesday, February 23, 2011

I DID IT!

One year ago today, I received The Pioneer Woman Cookbook for my birthday, and I vowed to cook my way through the whole cookbook in one year. It was a challenge, and I don't follow through on many things, but I stuck to it, and I learned so much about myself along the way. While I am not feeling very well today, I am content in knowing that I completed something great during my 30th year of life. Here's my review of all the recipes!

STARTERS
*BBQ Jalapeno Poppers- not a huge fan
*Pico de Gallo-I would use less onion and more than 1/2 of a lime
*Guacamole-Best Guac recipe ever, I always add more salt, taste, add salt, etc.
*PW'S Potato Skins-The most wonderful thing I have ever eaten-BEST Potato Skins EVER!
*Katie's Roasted Corn Salad-Soooooooo much flavor
*Hot Artichoke Dip-Always a Crowd Pleaser

IN THE MORNING
*Cinnamon Rolls-delicious but LOTS of work
*Iny's Prune Cake with Buttermilk Icing-surprisingly good, kids loved, tastes like coffee cake
*Buttermilk Biscuits-would be really good for Biscuits and Gravy
*Egg-In-The-Hole-a staple in this house now
*Basic Breakfast Potatoes-SOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!
*PW Breakfast Burritos-a lot of flavor, love the chives
*Breakfast Bowls-a real treat!
*Marmalade Muffins-heavenly!
*Migas-has WAY TOO MANY PEPPERS in my personal opinion, but I am a little sensitive to that!
*French Breakfast Puffs-better than donuts
*Maple Pecan Scones-my sister called them Pancake Scones, so buttery and full of maple flavor, SO GOOD!
*Huevos Hyacinth-I love any excuse to use a ramekin
*Edna Mae's Sour Cream Pancakes-very unique flavor, good change up on the standard pancake

DINNER (Translation:Lunch)
*Simple, Perfect Chili-OK, not a lot of flavor
*Marlboro Man's Favorite Sandwich-top with mozzarella cheese-wonderful
*Onion Strings-could be a meal alone for me-DELICIOUS
*Spicy Pulled Pork-Not worth spending 6-7 hours cooking, but good
*Macaroni and Cheese-I love her recipe, Pat and the kids didn't, give it a try and let me know what you think
*Beans and Cornbread-beans DELICIOUS, cornbread NOT SO MUCH
*Sherried Tomato Soup-Best Tomato Soup I have ever had that is not from La Madeleine
*Pizza Crust-AMAZING!
*Potato-Leek Pizza-I seriously cannot describe in words how super fantastic this pizza is! You just have to try it yourself.
*Cowboy Calzone-like an enchilada in a pizza pocket-YUM

SUNDAY DINNER
*Perfect Pot Roast-I don't like Pot Roast, I liked this one
*Chicken Pot Pie-totally worth all the work that goes into it
*Perfect Pie Crust-yummy, but I don't think pie crusts are my specialty
*Chicken Spaghetti-this recipe will serve like 20 people, I divide it into two pans and freeze one, reheats beautifully!

SUPPER (Translation:Dinner)
*Chicken Fried Steak-it was ok, but the gravy was really good
*PW's Creamy Mashed Potatoes-BEST MASHED POTATOES ANYWHERE-this woman knows potatoes
*Meatloaf-meatloaf part was good, I didn't care for the bacon and sauce so much, you know it isn't great if I don't like the bacon part :-)
*Twice Baked Potatoes-again, really good potato, these freeze perfectly
*Fried Chicken-I don't fry things in my house, I would fry this again
*Braised Beef Brisket-it was ok, but I lived in TX for quite some time, I like Rudy's brisket
*Cheese Grits-I am a potato girl, I would have potatoes in place of these any day of the week
*Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce-The sauce is the best thing I have ever put on a steak-incredible
*Homemade Ranch with Iceberg Wedge-I didn't even know I liked an iceberg wedge until I got to put this wonderful dressing on it, beats anything from a bottle
*Comfort Meatballs-good
*Simple, Perfect Enchiladas-I like Katie's better
*Linguine With Clam Sauce-not a fan, but others liked
*Lasagna-LOVE
*Penne Alla Betsy-blah

COWGIRL DINNER PARTY
*Sangria-AWESOME
*Roasted Beef Tenderloin-YUM
*Burgundy Mushrooms-anything that simmers in wine for nine hours, will be amazing
*Creamy Rosemary Potatoes-anyone who likes rosemary want to move in with me? so good
*Olive Cheese Bread-if you like olives, really good
*Creme Brulee-I like my recipe better

SWEETS
*Patsy's Blackberry Cobbler-frozen fruit works great
*Flat Apple Pie-hard to make, add caramel sauce
*Chocolate Sheet Cake-great to feed to a large crowd
*Mocha Brownies-really "coffeeish"
*Oatmeal Crispies-add white chocolate chips and cranberries-absolutely fabulous
*Pineapple Upside-Down Cake (In An Iron Skillet)-LOVE
*Peach Crisp With Maple Cream Sauce-heavenly
*Red Velvet Cake-didn't care too much for cake part, LOVED frosting
*Angel Sugar Cookies-delightful

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The breakfast burritos were so good and I loved the olive/cheese bread. Mushrooms were very very good. I think I liked all that you made but these days I like anything else anyone makes because my cooking is flavorless!!! Good job on your determination!!

Katie Thomson said...

What a FABULOUS post!
I LOVE that you made it all and I think I got to try half! :o)
Happy Birthday!
Thanks for the shout out on the Enchiladas! ;o)

Short and Sweet said...

Colleen, you have to understand that I'm totally blown away by this accomplishment!!! You know that I have an aversion to cooking, baking, etc. so I'm in awe of what you did. Please realize that I gave Karen a Twinkie once for dinner when she was a toddler because my husband was late coming home to make us dinner. If there are more than two ingredients to a recipe, I'm a gone, done, close the book and move on type of person. Congratulations to you.