Jan 5, 2010

A new year, a fresh idea...

Happy 2010. I'm just 5 days late in posting this new year's post, but I'm so excited that I don't really care. As you know I became a bit absent in December, and part of that was busyness, and part of it was just needing to re-group and decide how to go forward with beets and biscuits. I love to cook and am so passionate about all things food related, and I'm really enjoying learning more about photography...but I've struggled a bit with posting consistently and creating structure for myself. Does anyone else struggle with this?

So...I'm starting a-fresh and plan to focus month-to-month with the following goals:

Goal 1: Each month I will choose a cookbook to feature and will share the recipes I've made from the chosen book as adapted by me. Now there is no way I will get through the whole book, but if I can make 2-3 recipes from the chosen book each week I'll be happy with that. This also will give you, my fabulous readers, deeper insights into cookbooks and recipes you might not have seen.

Goal 2: Additionally I plan to focus on another ingredient or type of food that I can really dive into for the month - say for example, cakes, or wine, or bread. I know these are a bit random but I'm hoping by diving into an item each month I'll learn more about it and hopefully in 12 months will know a bit more about each item (okay I must admit my heart starts to beat a little faster when I think of 12 months from now and everything I want to do...bit by bit right)...

Goal 3: I also might add non-recipe food and community events - this was the plan when I started the blog and so I'm going to try again.

I have a couple cookbooks in mind and a couple ingredients / items that have been calling my name, but if anyone has suggestions along the way please let me know. Without further ado...lets get started.

In January I will be cooking out of a cookbook that Matt got me for Christmas, its called The New Cook, by Donna Hay. I'm a big fan of Donna's book and the simple straightforward recipes they feature so this new cookbook seems like an excellent place to start. And for my ingredient/item I've chosen gnocchi. I love gnocchi and I made a stellar version in December that I can wait to share with you...again an easy place to start. I still plan to cook with the most seasonal ingredients possible so that will affect the recipes I choose.

Feel free to contact me any time with thoughts or suggestions. I'll put an email address where I can be reached up shortly.

5 comments:

Steph Bond-Hutkin said...

I love your new goals! And I'm also excited about your The New Cook adaptations. I have this book too and love it!

Alison Clayshulte said...

Thanks so much darling. I'm really excited too. Already made three recipes out of this book and loving it. Thanks again for turning me on to these books - I think this is my 5th one : ) crazy! Hope all is going well this week with the little ones.

Courtney Rice said...

Alison, this reminds me of Julie & Julia - and you know I love that! So can't wait to see more blogs from you in 2010.

I have a cook book I'd like to see you try...it's not my normal taste, but I saw the book at B&N and I was curious. It's Alicia Silverstone's "Kind Diet". I'm not sure if it's all vegan, and I really don't like vegan, but the recipes looked tastey! So I'm curious.

Keep up the blogs girl. I also just love your cute writing style!!! :)

Kate England | Marmalade Moon said...

This sounds fantastic! Looking forward to 2010 on beets and biscuits! Love your blog!

Alison Clayshulte said...

@Courtney - I'm excited too. I've seen that cookbook and wanted to try it as well. It's on the list. Thanks for the great suggestion.

@Kate - Thanks so much. Happy New Year to you as well.