December 31, 2010, new food but no new recipe

Dinner on 12/31/2010 was courtesy of my parents. We went to eat at Venice Restaurant. Obviously, we could not cook something new, but we both ate something we hadn't had before. I had a wild boar ravioli, and Carl had Cioippino.

We have decided that we really are going to try to make something new every day, so in the future that means making something new for another meal if we are going to be eating out. Haven't quite worked out what to do if we are traveling together without a kitchen . . .

December 30, 2010 new recipes

Dinner on 12/30/2010 was Venetian Style Risotto with Peas, and Steamed Brussel Sprouts with Maple Vinaigrette.

Both of these were new. The risotto came from Mario Batali's Molto Italiano, well loved and used in our house! The brussel sprouts came from The Silver Palate Good Times Cookbook. Both were good, they did not seem to be the best fit with each other though. Live and learn!

I don't recall the wine.

December 29, 2010 new recipe

Dinner on 12/29/2010: Ginger Carrot Soup, with Herbed Chicken Thighs and a green salad.

The soup was the new (and delicious) item, and it came from the Moosewood Cookbook. Carl often makes chicken this way--the thighs get salt, pepper, and some herbs like Herbes de Provence, and they are sauteed in olive oil.

I don't recall the wine--we will get better about that!

December 28, 2010 new recipes

So our grand experiment is to prepare at least one thing we have never made before, everyday. Here is the first dinner on this adventure--December 28, 2010. Carl made Mesquite Smoked Chicken in Garlic, Shallot and White Wine Sauce. It was served with Maple Infused Fingerling Potatoes, and a green salad.

The chicken and the potatoes were both new. The chicken was smoked with my Christmas present, the smoking gun--it is an indoor cold smoker, very convenient for smoking small amounts of something without heating it at all.

Carl created the chicken recipe. The potato recipe came from David Chang's cookbook, Momofuku.

The wine was a Pinotage, though at the moment I can't remember which one.