Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Inspired to cook (finally!)

Before we went to Ohio, I was totally in a cooking slump. I just plain didn't feel like cooking, and even though I had new recipes I was interested in trying, I kept making the same old things over and over. I think part of the problem was that I didn't feel like cooking anything in the heat wave we were having! But since coming home from vacation, I have been feeling inspired. Maybe it was partly due to not having to cook anything for a whole week, and partly because it's cooler here now, but anyway . . . our meals have been more interesting since we got home (mostly). :) On the menu yesterday were crockpot ribs, corn on the cob, garlic mashed potatoes, and sliced cucumbers. (Jim came home and wanted to know what he did to deserve that!) Tonight's supper was a variation on shepherd's pie, made from last night's leftovers, with angel biscuits on the side. Mmmmm. And a few nights ago I even tried making homemade wheat thins for the first time (which were a success, I might add)!

Anyway, all that to say that I'm thinking I need to set aside a week soon to share some of the recipes I've been trying lately, or just some of our favorites that I haven't posted on the blog before. I'm sure I'm probably not the only one who likes trying new things, so maybe someone else would benefit from some of them too. :)

8 comments:

Nikki said...

Hi Carrie,
That is funny that you were not inspired to cook until recently either.I have been in a cooking slump lately too.:)Yesterday I FINALLY made a real meal (it had been awhile)!I made chicken and dumplings.They were a big hit too.;)That is so neat that your crackers turned out good too.I tried them once and it was a flop.Nikki

Mrs.T said...

I have been trying quite a few new recipes ... the problem is that I can't seem to find time to blog about them! Soon, I hope to share a bunch of recently tried recipes!

Erika said...

The heat of summer always puts me in a slump as well!! And what recipe did you use for your wheat thins--I've been wanting to try them soon (well, for the last year). I think the recipe I found online is originally from a King Arthur book.

Carrie said...

Erika, I used the one from Tammy's Recipes, but I think it's about the same as the one from Two Peas & Their Pod . . . and they are both (I think) originally from the King Arthur book--which ironically, I have, but totally forgot that was where the recipe was from! :) Anyway, the key seemed to be to make sure to roll the dough VERY thin, and then bake them long enough. The ones on the outer edges of the pan only took about 5-6 minutes but the ones toward the middle took more like 7-9 minutes to get crispy enough. They're not *exactly* like a store bought wheat thin, but the flavor is very close!

Carrie said...

Nikki--the first homemade crackers I ever made (different recipe) didn't turn out well either--they were too chewy. These were a lot better, but I had to roll them really thin (see my comment above :)).

Mom--looking forward to hearing what new recipes you've been making, when you have time! :)

Jenny said...

I'm getting ready to fill our freezer with pre-cooked and ready to cook meals (hopefully this weekend!) so we're ready when baby #3 arrives. I printed several recipes from onceamonthmom.com and am excited to try them out. Now if only I can keep myself from using the meals I put in the freezer until I REALLY need them! ;-)

Anonymous said...

I need some inspiration on cooking! I have not felt like cooking at all.. think we had one or two nice meals in the last couple months. My first wheat thins were a flop too. Maybe we will try again this winter with your recipe. If you make them again.. will you post pictures? -Joey

Mary Ann said...

I'm ready - hit me with some new recipe inspiration!:-) I've been thinking about the homemade wheat thins myself so I want you to tell me all about them.