Saturday, February 14, 2009

My first foray into a new cookbook

So here was my challenge. I own many, many cookbooks. I cook regularly out of three or four. I have cooked out of about 20% my collection. I am determined to cook at least one recipe from each of the cookbooks I own.

Last night was my first meal with a new cookbook. I think I need to shift my expectations. Some of it has to do with my eaters. Some of it has to do with the cookbooks I own. Some has to do with the ingredients on hand. I think I had visions of.... well, I'm not sure. But I was a little embarrassed to realize that my first recipe was for something called Chili Mac. I had ground beef that needed cooking. I had most of the ingredients on hand. I needed dinner.

The cookbook is a Cook's Illustrated book called Cover & Bake. Truthfully, I'm surprised that this was my first recipe from this book. The recipes really look pretty good, and they are tested to within an inch of their little lives.



The Chili Mac was good. The boy and the girl had seconds. I thought it was warm and comforting. Perhaps not gourmet but good.



I made some minor changes. I used a mix of beef and turkey, and I used about half the cheese called for. It's now in the "definitely make it again" pile.

So that's one down, and about 130 to go. Anyone else try a new recipe from their collection this week?

*** I don't post recipes from books. Copyright law and a lawyer husband and all that. If you'd like the recipe, I'm happy to e-mail it to you.

15 comments:

Debbie said...

It looks great....like a "comfort" food.
Keep up the work...I'm trying to do it too.

Megan said...

Ok, I'll bite. Send me the recipe. It looks really good and it seems easy enough. Besides, the kids love anything with meat and pasta!

Marthe said...

This look very tasty!!

Kristin said...

A great first pick. If the kids took seconds, it sounds like a keeper to me.

Nancy/n.o.e said...

Well, there's nothing that says you can't come back to that cookbook and make something a touch more elegant! But in the meanwhile you discovered a delicious meal your family enjoys. Not bad for this week's adventure in cookbooks!
Nancy

Cakelaw said...

Yum - chilli mac is a winner with me. So warm and comforting.

Sara said...

There's nothing wrong with comfort food, this looks delicious!

Maria said...

Looks incredible! I will have to look for this book!

Jessica said...

I've been pondering making this recipe, it's in one of my CI cookbooks and yours looks as delish as it sounds. I need to put this on the "make soon" list!

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Anonymous said...

I don't like the sound of all those lists he's making - it's like intriguing too multitudinous notes at school; you experience you've achieved something when you haven't.

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