25 New Recipes in 2013

I think this tends to be how most resolutions go...

...especially in the health and fitness category.  Well, my 2013 New Years resolution was to try 25 new recipes, and I did it!  Finished on Fathers' Day actually :)  I tend to make the same couple things over and over, so I was searching for some new recipes to add to my favorites.  And I think I was searching for some confidence to try new recipes because I tend to shy away from anything new that could turn out a bit, well, off.  I wish I had taken pictures of the meals, but I just keep a running total, more for my own knowledge.  But if you're interested, here's what I tried in the past 6 months:

1.  Delicious Ham and Potato Soup from allrecipes.com
Really good!  Has quite a bit of pepper in the recipe, so it can clear out your sinuses if you don't watch out :)  We made this all winter, for everyone who came over.

2.  Ham Tetrazzini from allrecipes.com
I had to look up the word tetrazzini...  It's good but a little bland-- definitely add garlic.  But helpful to finish off any ham you had from making the potato soup :)

3.  Home-style Chicken Soup from Taste of Home
Basic, good

4.  Casserole with Ham from allrecipes.com
Not the best...

5.  Baked Chicken with brown sugar from allrecipes.com
I prefer Ritz Cracker baked chicken but it was a nice variety

6.  Chicken Chili in the Crockpot from allrecipes.com
Really good.  Had some kick to it too!

7.  Banana Ice Cream
Yeah, didn't really work out.  Apparently the bananas were too fresh.

8.  Minestrone in the Crockpot
We had so much soup, we had to invite the Martins over, and there were still multiple tupperware containers.

9.  French Dip Sandwiches from my mom
A quick and delicious dinner.  Marcus LOVED it.  We have this all the time now :)

10.  Beef Stew in the Crockpot from my mom
Oh, I love Crockpot Sundays-- stupid 1PM church.  But this was ready right when we walked in the door.  So good on a cold evening!

11.  Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo from AllRecipes
Not my favorite alfredo dish, but good and easy to make.

12.  Manicotti from all recipes
Very simple to make and still good

13.  Chicken Noodle Soup -- Grandma Helen's Recipe
The PERFECT soup for when you're sick.

14.  Sausage and Vegetables in the crockpot from Betty Crocker's Fix It Fast
I think we cooked it a little too long because the veggies didn't hold up well, but it was tasty!

15.  Slow-Cooked Southwest Chicken
Wasn't expecting it to turn into more of a soup, but we liked it.

16.  Rosemary Chicken with White Beans in the crockpot from cookbook
I added a little too much rosemary, but it was still great.  Nice variation to our regular chicken meal

17.  Steak Burritos in the Crockpot
Way better than I expected.  Made a great steak quesadilla too :)

18.  Sesame Chicken from 6 Sisters out of LDS Living
We make this a lot too.  Highly recommend

19.  Chicken Enchiladas from my mom
I can't believe I hadn't made these before.  Still in search of a good red enchilada recipe.

20.  Crockpot Shredded Pork Sandwiches from cookbook
These are all good because you use SODA to help tenderize the meat!

21.  Macaroni & Cheese from allrecipes.
Not my favorite.

22.  Sweet & Sour Chicken from Fix It Fast
Super good.  I've made it a few times now.

23.  Penne with Green Beans & Sausage from allrecipes
Nothing utterly amazing, but yummy

And Marcus helped me reach my goal by some requests he made that I helped prepare:

24.   Ribs with a honey rub
I didn't actually eat any of these

25.  Shish-kabobs with an Italian marinade
Very classic, amazing taste

Moral of the story...  I actually cooked some already this year, and I feel better about trying new recipes.  I'll actually search for new ones and offer to make meals or desserts for other people.  I've decided www.allrecipes.com is one of my favorite sites, and I love Betty Crocker's Fix It Fast cookbook.  Oh, and of course, the crockpot is your friend.  Mission accomplished.

Oh yeah, he likes to eat too...

Sometimes he tries to help.

Chase LOVES to eat feet! :)