Perfect Pot Roast

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/perfect-pot-roast-recipe-2118771

This is the perfect roast recipe. I tied the roast and it turned out perfect. As always, I used double the vegetables, and added parsnip, fennel, dried mushrooms and frozen pearl onions at the very end. I quartered the onion per directions, but I did not like the large pieces. I would chop the onion into large pieces instead. Two rosemary branches were too much, and they fell apart, so I would put them in a spice bag if rosemary was not fresh. 

Would I make it again? - yes, this is perfect roast recipe.

Instant Pot Chili

https://www.pressurecookrecipes.com/instant-pot-chili/

Wow. This is truly the most delicious chili I have ever made. It’s full of complex flavor as if you were cooling it for hours. I used 3+ lbs of ground meat - beef, turkey and pork. The spice level is spot on just enough and that kids could eat it. I also added a spoon of garlic chili paste and adobo sauce. I used rice vinegar but added it before cooking without realizing it was meant to be added at the end.

Will I make it again? - yes, this the best staple version of chili

Instant Pot Beef Stew

https://thesaltymarshmallow.com/best-ever-instant-pot-beef-stew/

This is great basic recipe how to cook the stew in the instant pot, by browning the meat first. The saute function is very hot so you have to have all ingredients ready. Additions can be made from other recipes. I substituted the tomato sauce with tomato paste, used red wine, the beer would be great, added celery, dried mushrooms, bay leave, soy sauce, chili garlic paste. I reduced the cooking time to 25 minutes and can be further reduced to 15 minutes. I also used slightly less liquid and did not use the starch.

Will I make this again? - great core recipe for the instant pot stew that can be easily modified.

Cauliflower Gratin

By Ina Garten

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/cauliflower-gratin-recipe-1917463

Probably the most delicious way I have had cauliflower. Instead of parboiling the cauliflower, I roasted in the oven for 15 min at 425 with olive oil and salt and pepper. Should start the bechamel source as soon as the cauliflower is in the oven. I added the milk too fast and then overcooked the source and made it too thick. Should be careful with adding the milk. I also sauteed onion and garlic. The dish turned out very flavorful. This recipe is like mac-n-cheese so it is all about the kind of cheese. I used swiss and sharp cheddar and it worked well. I would like to try it with gruyere.

Will I make it again? - yes, this will be my staple recipe for cauliflower

Chicken Noodle Soup with Homemade Noodles

https://laurenslatest.com/chicken-noodle-soup-with-homemade-noodles/

I love this recipe for the homemade noodles and this was the first time where my noodles turned out. Should start with the dough for noodles first as it needs to rest. I have to make sure to cut the noodles lengthwise and then cut into wanted length. I brown the chicken with spices on a cast iron skillet for more flavor. I like using the soy source for seasoning. If using beef broth instead of chicken, should use half of the amount. I had to use the full amount of liquid this time as the noodles soak up a lot of liquid.

Will I make it again? - yes, this is my go to recipe for the chicken noodle soup.

Pot Roast

By Anne Burrell

This is a very flavorful dish. The star anise adds somewhat Asian taste. The orange peel and pepper flakes create spiciness without being too spicy for children. I did not have figs or Jerusalem artichokes but would like to try the recipe with both. I think the squash would make the dish too sweet. I used only one smaller star anise and it was plenty. I would use just two peels of the orange since it is pretty strong. I added a branch of rosemary. I did not have the red wine vinegar and substitute with red wine. I did not add more stock as the roast was cooking which made a thick onion source, but it would be ok to use the full amount of the stock to create more liquid juices.

Should tie a bigger roast and rest seasoned overnight for the seasoning seep in inside. Sprinkle with a little of flour before browning. Serve with peas and pearl onions warmed with butter.

I would use a cheaper cut of meat since the recipe adds so much flavor. I would use a more simple recipe with a more expensive cut. I cook a lot of vegetables 3 carrots, 6 potatoes) with the roast to have plenty of leftovers.

Special Ingredients:
- star anise
- figs
- Jerusalem artichokes

Will I make it again? - yes. Lots of flavor, great recipe for a cheap cut of meat.

Pozole Verde (tomatillo soup)

http://www.thedefineddish.com/pozole-verde/

This is a very exciting and also soulful soup. I used a different recipe, and it had some raw aftertaste to it, so I like the Food&Wine recipe to cook the puree in the skillet for 12 min. Also should roast poblano peppers and tomatillos drizzled with olive oil on parchment paper for 15 min at 375. I used 1/2 of stock to make the soup thicker.

Special Ingredients:
- 3 poblano peppers
- 1 lb tomatillos
- hominy
- cilantro
- toppings

A photo from Merchant restaurant with more ideas for the toppings. Also can use sour cream.

Sauteed Chicken with Olives

From Tuscany The Beautiful Cookbook

Another great recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks. This is a variation of the Roasted Chicken with Potatoes and Olives. 

Special Ingredients:

- fennel seeds

- white wine

- olives

Chicken and Rice Casserole

by Food Network Kitchen

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/chicken-and-rice-casserole-recipe-2111696#

This is my favorite week night comfort food recipe. Instead of rotisserie I use skinless chicken fillets with spicy rub and fry on cast iron pan. Once I substituted milk for sour cream and it turned out dry. Sour cream adds the creaminess to the dish. I used 4 canned tomatoes, but would use 2 or 3 next time, since I could feel some sourness. I also added green peas at the end. I would love to try the recipe with mushrooms - I would cook them at first with the onions and garlic. The spice rub on the chicken was not enough to make the dish spicy. I would add chili, flakes or cayenne next time.

Will I make it again? - yes. I can make it every week as a weekly staple dish.

Asparagus Fettuccine Carbonara

By Food Network Kitchen

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/asparagus-fettuccine-carbonara-3886424#reviewsTop

Great recipe to have the spring asparagus. Full of flavor and still well balanced. Fairly hearty, but still a lighter dish. I like the spice in it. I doubled the red flakes, but can triple the amount next time. Bacon was not overpowering, but I did drain the bacon fat as recipe says, to reduce it’s flavor.

Besides the asparagus, the remaining ingredients are normally in my pantry, so an easy weeknight dish. I used a wide grader to slice the asparagus. The dish had plenty of it’s flavor due the whole pound of asparagus used in the recipe.

Will I make it again? - yes. I should make it every year for the asparagus season. It is different from the prosciutto dish, but I also like the heartiness that the bacon and yolk bring to this dish.

Keema Matar with pickled onions and homemade Naan

Authentic recipe by Anjali

Pickled Onions
https://cookieandkate.com/2018/quick-pickled-onions-recipe/

Naan
https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/homemade-naan.html

This is a very easy recipe for a weekday night, if you have all spices on hand. The tomatoes add nice freshness. The spices were mild but complex. I believe I had 2 lb of meat and should have doubled the spices. Other recipes suggest adding ginger, garam masala and tomato paste. I want to try this recipe with ground turkey next time. Pickled onions added great flavor and all the flavors went very well together. Naan was fairly easy to make. Next time half portion would probably be enough. I would also use instant yeast rather than dry yeast, as it rises faster and easier.

Butter Chicken

By New York Times

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016754-butter-chicken?regi=1&join_cooking_newsletter=true&register=facebook

This is a delicious recipe and will definitely make it again as it has been hard to find a good Indian recipe that’s not too simple and not too difficult. Chicken had to cook much longer than recipe called, so I would brown it more before adding the liquids. This is not a spicy recipe so I added chili garlic paste.

Special Ingredients:
- heavy cream
- tomatoes, fresh
- tomato paste
- spices: garam masala, cumin, turmeric, cumin seeds, cinnamon stick
- Greek yogurt
- ground almonds

Ramen

http://seonkyounglongest.com/ramen/

We love take-out ramen once a week, so I had to learn to make it myself. This is a weekend dish since it takes at least 3 hours of boiling the broth. However you can freeze the leftovers for a weekday meal.

Notes:
- I used 5 lb of neck bones and the copper pot which fit about 15 cups water. I would use 3 lb of bones if using the same pot, or use larger pot with 6 lb meats to follow the recipe.
- The nori made the broth taste too fishy. I would use 1/4 pack instead of a full pack (1 oz) according the recipe.
- I boiled my eggs 5 minutes and they were too runny. I would boil them for 6 minutes next time. 10 minutes for a fully cooked soft egg.
- For toppings I used only what I had - eggs, green onion, pork from broth and red flakes. I would like to use the sprouts to cut through fat and add freshness.
- Use tare to salt the broth at the end (did not read through the whole recipe and missed the tare).
- Add a dash of sesame oil
- Needs more spice

A very good chart how to boil eggs to wanted softness:
- Heat water to boil and add eggs. Cook for the number of minutes according to the following chart for desired softness.

Lithuanian Cabbage Rolls - Balandėliai

https://www.beatosvirtuve.lt/receptai/balandeliai-nuostabieji/

I did not follow a recipe, and then found the one by Beata with a good idea of adding more veggies to the meat. Although I got ideas for improvements, the rolls still turned out delicious.

Notes:
- I used 2.5 lb ground pork, 1 cup rice, 1 large cabbage. I had some cabbage leftover, so could use more meat or rice for the filling.
- Good note in the recipe to core the cabbage before boiling.
- Fry rolls first, rolled in flower. I simmered the rolls right away and it took a long time for the cabbage to cook. The frying helps cook the cabbage which adds flavor and the flour will thicken the sauce.
- I fully cooked the rice and it blended too much with the meat. Parcook the rice a little. The recipe says to use raw rice and simmer the rolls for an hour.

Chicken and Brussels Sprouts Stir-fry

from Southern Living

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/brussels-sprouts-stir-fry#add-your-reviews

I made so many changes to the recipe that it cannot be called the same, but this is a good base recipe for a stir-fry. It turned out delicious and we had seconds. I used lime juice according to the recipe but could have easily used rice wine or vinegar. I usedy chicken instead of beef and added vegetables that I had on hand - mushrooms, carrots, celery and pine nuts. I pre-boiled the brussel sprouts. Overall simple basic stir-fry recipe.

Chrispy Artichoke Pesto Stuffed Chicken

by Food Network Kitchen

This was quick prep and fairly quick cooking time recipe. It was the first time I stuffed a chicken breast, and that did not turn out quite well. The chicken breast was large and I did not have actual kitchen hammer, so used a jar to pound it. Next time I may try making an insision accross the chicken breast to make it thin. Also I am not sure about the stuffing. The flavor was broght, of course I had too much chicken in the meat. However the artichoke gave a hint of metalic aftertaste. I will try looking for other stuffings, but would deffinetly use this technique again. A green side vegetable is a must. This was a very nice change to the setwed recipes I used to make.

Special Ingredients:

- pesto

- artichoke, from a jar

- provolone cheese

Will I make it again? - yes.

Roast Chicken with Potatoes and Olives

from Epicurious

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/roast-chicken-with-potatoes-and-olives-51252610

This is an excellent weeknight recipe with little prep work and fairly quick cook time. I added more vegetables to the potato and olive base - sliced onion, carrots and celery. I sweat the carrots before putting everything else in the pot and they cooked perfectly this time. The spice mix is a good start. I added chili and paprika. The chili flakes were not too hot, but I also used the half of what recipe called. Fennel was a little too much for me. I used pimento stuffed olives instead of kalamata and they were still delicious and went with the dish very well.

Special Ingredients:

- olives

Will I make it again? - yes. Great staple recipe for a work-night.

East Hampton Clam Chowder

by Ina Garten

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/east-hampton-clam-chowder-recipe#reviewsTop

Delicious clam chowder recipe. The recipe is supposed to be thinner than traditional clam chowder, but I used half&half instead if milk and had less clam juice. I could use the water from canned clams, but it is salty, so have to be careful with seasoning. I added black&red spice from Penzeys to add the spice kick. And uses two cans of clams instead of fresh clams. The soup turned out very tasty.

Special Ingredients:

- clams

- clam juice

- milk, cream or half&half

Will I make it again? - yes

Asian Salmon Bowl with Lime Drizzle

from Epicurious

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/asian-salmon-bowl-with-lime-drizzle-51101210?mbid=social_facebook

This was a delicious recipe with fairly simple ingredients. The sauce is. Very tasty and can be used for grilling. I could not taste the sesame seeds and they were there just for looks I thought. Any green vegetable would go well with the dish, but I liked the lightness of the spinach which I have not been cooking much. The 12 minutes were a bit long for my fillets. I would pull them out around 9 minutes if not sooner. I would also be careful not to burn the garlic in the butter. The sauce was delicious - sweet caramelized flavor with a spicy and lime tang. I doubled the chili flakes and loved the spice in the dish.

Special Ingredients:
- salmon
- maple syrup
- lime
- soy sauce
- spinach, or any green vegetable

Will I make it again? - yes. Also great and simple to make sauce for grilling

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

Recipe:

2 - 15 oz. cans Black Beans (rinsed and drained)
2 - 15 oz. cans white or yellow corn
1 - large tomato (diced)
1 - red onion (diced)
1/4 c. fresh cilantro (chopped)

Put all above into a bowl

Mix together: 4 TBSP Lime Juice
2 TBSP Olive Oil
1 TBSP Red Wine Vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Pour over veggies, Chill

Very quick home made salsa with little prep work. Also you can stock up on the canned veggies, and will need only a couple fresh ingredients (tomato, cilantro and red onion) to make the salsa. It was a hit at our barbecue. The salsa is mild but tasty and is a great snack while meats are grilling. I added garlic and one jalapeno, but that did nit change the flavor much.

Will I make it again? - yes. A great and quick party staple.