Things I Need To Do More Often #14

on October 14, 2009
in Things I Need to Do More Often

Try new recipes.

IMG_3259

The other night, the Husband came home from clinical with a grocery bag in his hand.  He held it up and proudly said, “I got my first gift from a patient today!”

IMG_3261

The patient had given us well over three dozen Key Limes.  “They’re organic,” the Husband said.  “Can you make a Key Lime Pie?”  Ummmm – A Key Lime Pie?  Pies are the kind of thing I buy from the store, not make from scratch. 

 

That same night, Beth sent me a Vegetarian Meatloaf recipe.  I’ve actually never had meat loaf at all, believe it or not.

 

I like experimenting in the kitchen within my “comfort zone,” which includes casseroles, pastas, and sandwiches.  :)  Pies and meatloaf seem beyond me.  But I’m going to give it a shot.

 

Do you experiment in the kitchen?  What recipes are within your “comfort zone”?

 

Check out the rest of the Things I Need To Do More Often series here.

{ 49 comments }

 

  • Jennifer October 14, 2009, 4:20 pm

    I experiment all the time, some things turn out well, others not so much. You can do this – and I bet it will be great!

    Key lime pie is my fave!!

  • Stephanie October 14, 2009, 4:23 pm

    I experiment all the time! It’s soo fun!! It makes you feel so accomplished when it’s done and if it screwed up, well, you know what NOT to do next time 🙂 I’ve never had key lime pie in particular but pies are a blast to make! Have fun!!!

  • Joelle (The Pancake Girl) October 14, 2009, 4:26 pm

    Oh fun!! Baking is within my comfort zone, along with anything breakfasty.. beyond that- all hell breaks loose. Good luck!

  • Courtney October 14, 2009, 4:28 pm

    Can you make me a key lime pie too?? Heee hee! Too cute of the hubby!
    I don’t like to make anything I actually have to follow along a recipe too closely, I love to just mix up a bunch of stuff and go for it which is why I don’t bake too often…have to follow directions when you bake!
    Courtney
    Adventures in Tri-ing

  • Mellissa October 14, 2009, 4:29 pm

    I experiment almost every time I cook, the strange thing is that I rarely make the same thing twice.

  • Erica October 14, 2009, 4:29 pm

    Fun! Can I suggest: http://itzyskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/08/key-lime-pie-bars.html

    amazing!

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance October 14, 2009, 4:37 pm

    Please post when you do the Key Lime Pie (sure you will of course) as I would love to see how it is done……I love any and all kinds of pie but “Key Lime” is my favorite!

    =) Laura @ Finding A Healthy Balance…..after a 100+ POUND weight loss!

  • Courtney October 14, 2009, 4:37 pm

    Keylime pie is my FAVORITE! Your hubs knows what UP! Good luck!! 😀

  • samantha October 14, 2009, 4:42 pm

    I will try almost anything. I like baking a lot. Good luck with the recipes. I made a veggie meatloaf and really enjoyed it. I have never made key lime pie though.

  • Kate October 14, 2009, 4:46 pm

    I love trying new recipes, but I definitely find fancy main meals and new meats (etc) a bit out of my comfort zone. I need to try some new things!

  • Evan Thomas October 14, 2009, 4:46 pm

    I think trying new recipes is always great. I’ve made Holly’s Vegan Pumpkin Molasses Cookies twice now and I’m hooked!

  • Lauren October 14, 2009, 4:50 pm

    I often find desserts the easiest to make – Good luck with the key lime pie – it sounds time consuming but yummy! New recipes are fun but often daunting. If I find one I like, I stick with it!

  • Nikki T October 14, 2009, 4:56 pm

    Every so often I get the urge to experiment in the kitchen, and since finding Angela’s OSG blog, I’ve been finding myself doing it more and more! Generally, it’s fun, but other times I just get frustrated!
    I’m with you on the pie- I let MIL make pie! But, I say Good On Ya for giving it a shot! Looking forward to seeing how it turns out!
    I, myself, am planning on (kind of) experimenting in the kitchen tonight…I’m going to make Sheppard’s Pie! Not really an ‘experiment’, however it is the first time I’m making it in MY kitchen…I’ve only ever had it at my Mom and Dad’s before!
    Good luck (meatloaf is a total comfort food!)

  • Kat (Kat's Daily Plate) October 14, 2009, 5:02 pm

    I do love to experiment in the kitchen, though I get impatient with recipes! I hate measuring- I like to throw it all together and just taste.
    I guess I would be a terrible baker!

  • Kristie Lynn October 14, 2009, 5:04 pm

    I love experimenting in the kitchen. Most of the time it turns out great, and almost every other time it’s at least edible 🙂 I bet the meatloaf will be a lot easier to make than the pie, if only because getting juice from key limes is so dang hard! Good luck!

  • Megan (The Runner's Kitchen) October 14, 2009, 5:04 pm

    Oh, I love to make pies! I always get a little nervous when making the crust, but it always end up edible 🙂 Anything that requires precised ingredients/technique (umm bread) is a tad outside my comfort zone. I don’t have a ton of patience and I don’t like to measure!

  • Whitney October 14, 2009, 5:05 pm

    Here is a great Key Lime Pie recipe. They are pretty easy since they don’t require real pie dough.

    http://whitneyinchicago.wordpress.com/2009/02/16/this-is-love/

  • Leah @ L4L October 14, 2009, 5:08 pm

    I experiment a lot. A LOT. I try at least one new recipe a week, if not three. Sometimes it turns out, sometimes not. But it is always fun and a learning experience. Things that are out of my comfort zone are 1) recipes that include a lot of expensive items and 2) recipes that include a lot of foods I have never cooked with before.

  • Marina October 14, 2009, 5:09 pm

    I love to experiment, but I don’t step out of my comfort zone. That means, no calorie and fat dense stuff, like cream, or butter, I avoid sugar and stuff like that. Not a lot to experiment with 😀

  • meagan October 14, 2009, 5:17 pm

    baking is my comfort zone! i’m also a good soup person…i could make up soup all day long. my definite non-comfort zone is pie crust. as much as i like to bake, i can never, ever make a satisfactory crust.

  • Stephanie October 14, 2009, 5:21 pm

    I LOVE experimenting in the kitchen… whether it’s trying new ingredients or methods of cooking!! I think it’s my creative outlet or something… 🙂

  • Hallie October 14, 2009, 5:22 pm

    My “comfort zone” recipes are Sloppy Joes, Meatloaf (w/ground turkey) and stir-fries. Vegetable soup and chili too. But I love experimenting in the kitchen and plan on doing it more VERY soon. BTW I’ve had that “neatloaf” (I won’t reveal the “secret ingredient”) and it’s REALLY yummy so I hope you like it! Even my BF the carnivore liked it. I’m going to make this this winter for my best friend, who’s vegetarian.

  • Susan October 14, 2009, 5:24 pm

    “Pies are the kind of thing I buy from the store, not make from scratch.”

    This made me laugh! So true! 😛 I definitely have a comfort zone that I’ve been trying really hard to get out of. I’m not a huge fan of following recipes, but that also means I tend to fall into the same eating patterns. Lately I’ve been making my own protein bars and muffins. I even made my own samosas!! I made dough! I never do that…

  • Lizzy October 14, 2009, 5:34 pm

    I think you could make an awesome key lime pie! I’m anxious to hear how it turns out!

  • Shannon October 14, 2009, 5:43 pm

    I’ve been wanting to make veggie meat loaf for a while now. Giada made it on one of her episodes and it just looked so good! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/veronicas-veggie-meatloaf-with-checca-sauce-recipe/index.html

    I like experimenting in my kitchen, but I get nervous if I try to make something that my husband requested “like his mom used to make”. I don’t want it to turn out bad! Good luck!

  • Ellen October 14, 2009, 5:50 pm

    i love experimenting! give it a try, what’s the worse that can happen?!

  • Sarah Jayne October 14, 2009, 5:52 pm

    So fun!!!!!! Good luck! You can do it!

  • maria October 14, 2009, 5:56 pm

    I try to experiment, when I think my husband might actually be willing to try something. Sometimes I can convince him it sounds good… other times not so much.

  • Amy October 14, 2009, 6:15 pm

    I’n good at trying new recipes for baking, but my hubby’s much better at cooking. He can taste something and “oh it needs more ….” I’m not great at that.

  • Cyclist Kate October 14, 2009, 6:16 pm

    I love the quote, “if you can read, you can cook!” I try new recipes all the time…it’s one of those things that you just have to dive into and pretty soon you’ll be totally comfortable with it. It becomes second nature after awhile. Nothing like teaching yourself how to be confident in the kitchen! You can do it! Have fun.

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) October 14, 2009, 6:34 pm

    I love to experiment in my kitchen with different recipes and things to cook and eat! The Boy likes to experiement with seasonings, which is why you’ll see cinnamon in our potatoes sometimes – YUM!

  • Marisa (Trim The Fat) October 14, 2009, 6:40 pm

    I love to experiment in the kitchen! It’s very relaxing and therapeutic for me!

  • on the rocks October 14, 2009, 6:46 pm

    It may be intimidating at first, but once you tackle your first few experiments, I’m sure you’ll really enjoy it. The key is, if it doesn’t turn out right, don’t beat yourself up over it! Just try it again later.

  • Jamie October 14, 2009, 6:54 pm

    Can’t wait to hear how the “meatloaf” turns out. My husband loves meatloaf, but I’m trying to cut down on the amount of meat we eat. I love to try new recipes and ingredients I’ve never tried before!

  • Jenna October 14, 2009, 7:35 pm

    i must agree with you! i like to cook within my comfort zones but i am glad you are gonna give it a shot!
    jenna

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) October 14, 2009, 7:37 pm

    Never had meatloaf!!!! Woah girl, you totally need to try it 🙂

    I experiment with all sorts of recipes … nothing scares me off really 🙂

    One thing that is not really in my comfort zone might be sandwiches believe it or not!

    Soups, pastas, casseroles, baking, are all in my comfort zone.

  • Sara October 14, 2009, 8:15 pm

    Yum! Key Lime Pie is my favorite!! I am not too good at cooking but I am trying to get better! 🙂

  • Rosey Rebecca October 14, 2009, 8:16 pm

    I have nine pounds of apples that my boyfriend and I picked at an orchard over the weekend. He wants an apple pie and I’m like you, I buy pies.

    I do love experimenting in the kitchen though so maybe he’ll get his wish.

  • Lauren October 14, 2009, 8:17 pm

    Oh my gosh, I think cooking is the only thing that really brings me peace and sanity to my crazy life. I live for the hours when I can get home after working all day, roll up my sleeves, and start chopping away. It’s theraputic!

    Good luck on the pie. 😉

  • Amanda @ Cakes and Ale October 14, 2009, 8:44 pm

    Yes! I love trying new things in the kitchen. Both the hub and I are pretty adventurous eaters, so it’s good. I love making pies, and you’re in luck – key lime is an easy one! The graham crust is super simple, as is the filling. Don’t be afraid! You can do it!

  • Julie October 14, 2009, 8:53 pm

    I’m not big on experimenting. If I see a new recipe I might want to try I have to read all reviews on it, wirte down every suggestion/modification, and then decide not to make it because it might suck.

    Recipes in my comfort zone are cookies, breads and muffins. I’m scared to try cakes and I’ve only made one pie. I’d love to make a cheesecake one of these days but it seems super complicated! As you can see I’m more of a baker, cooking recipes are a whole ‘nother ball game for me.

  • Morgan @ Life After Bagels October 14, 2009, 8:59 pm

    Oh I concur on this one. Although first reading and now writing a blog does make me more creative.

  • Jessie (Vegan-minded) October 14, 2009, 9:35 pm

    I like to experiment in the kitchen as well, sometimes even out of my “comfort zone”. You never know, something might turn out great and could become a new favorite! Key lime pie is not that hard to make, you should give it a try. The hardest part is getting the juice out of all those tiny little limes 🙂

  • Molly October 14, 2009, 10:37 pm

    just a note on a comment you made in an earlier blog…i was in london in may while i was a vegetarian (i am now giving veganism a try) and it was one of my favorite cities EVER. i was definitely able to enjoy the trip, and the food!, while being a vegetarian.
    i LOVE experimenting in the kitchen…but i have trouble getting my family to eat it because of my “bad habit” of adding “healthy things” (oatmeal in choc. chip cookies, for example)

  • Julie @savvyeats October 14, 2009, 11:46 pm

    I love experimenting with recipes, and will try most anything! My one requirement for our new apartment post-graduation is a good kitchen 🙂

  • BroccoliHut October 15, 2009, 12:07 am

    I love veggie meatloaf! I make mine with lentils, oats, and tomato sauce:)

  • Stacey October 15, 2009, 6:02 am

    My boyfriend and I try to make a new recipe at least once a week (usually on the weekends)…and it can get very frustrating! Never thought about it before, but I’m pretty sure I have a beer everytime too lol 🙂 I can’t wait until we get a house so I can have more kitchen space!

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat October 15, 2009, 8:45 am

    I can pretty much follow any recipe assuming it’s not too complicated. I can’t believe you’ve never had meatloaf, haha. Probably a good thing actually 😉

    My friend Margie makes a really good bean loaf but I’m not too sure what’s in it (besides beans obviously).

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) October 15, 2009, 6:56 pm

    I like to try a recipe the way it is written first and then experiment afterward to change it up if I want. I want to make sure I like it first.

Previous post:

Next post:

Search The Blog

Read by Month:

Read by Topic:

Healthy Tipping Point