Toward the end of last year, I started really missing cooking and baking. I was making meals I liked just fine (lots of salads and quick, one-bowl meals like stir fry), but I wanted to get back to being more creative in the kitchen. I set myself a goal for 2020: try to make one new recipe each week.
So far? I’ve pretty much been able to stick with this goal — and keep it FUN (which was also an important part to me).
Many of these new-to-me recipes in January and February have come from my current favorite cookbook, The Colorful Family Table (you can hear me interview the author, Ilene, on a recent podcast episode here), and I’ve been SO impressed with these recipes. Not only are they easy and don’t involve tons of ingredients or time (not to mention all vegan, which makes things simple and substitute-free for me), they’ve all been so tasty. Some of our favorites so far include:
- Mushroom & Tempeh White Chili (so amazingly hearty and flavorful)
- Kabocha Squash & Lentil Stew (I love how this can be customized based on the toppings you choose)
- Pear & Candied Ginger Muffins
- Flu Shot Noodle Soup (YUM)
- Shepherd’s Pie with Tahini Turnip-Carrot Mash
- Chickpea Meatloaf Burgers (these are SO GOOD — I love serving them over salad)
- Blueberry Quinoa Cornbread Muffins (the flavors totally work)
I’ve also been able to include Maggie in the making of many of these recipes, which is another reason I wanted to spend more time in the kitchen. She LOVES helping, and I definitely want to instill a love of cooking in her. I want her to feel confident in the kitchen, and to enjoy making nourishing, flavorful dishes of all kinds.
We’ll see how things continue to go throughout the rest of the year, but so far I’m really enjoying this new aspect of my life. I know one new recipe a week doesn’t feel like a lot (and some weeks I try more than one new recipe), but having this goal makes me think more intentionally about what our family is eating (and buying at the grocery story) rather than just keeping things on autopilot day after day.
If you have any favorite plant-based recipes to share, please send them my way! I’d love to add them to my list of recipes to try this year!
