If you're new to my blog, the Cooking Challenge is just something I'm doing to challenge myself to try new recipes cos I can get stuck in a rut every now and then and it's not always easy to find the motivation to try something new.
Basically I sat down and picked 72 recipes from a range of cookbooks that I liked the sound of and I'm currently attempting to cook my way through all of them before 31st Dec 2012. What I hope to do with this page is update the totals as I tick recipes off the list, add photos, and links to any posts / recipes that I write up. The highlighted dishes with images opposite are the ones I've completed so far.
Well it's been a while since I updated this and I have to be honest I did let this slip a bit... basically my priority became getting out of my overdraft which involved being very strict on what money I spent each week, which included food, so sadly I've not had as much money to spend on ingredients in the last few months as I'd like. However in the last couple of weeks I had a little flurry of cooking/baking days so have managed to get through a fair few recipes (although I've not had time to write any of them up in their own blog post). Another thing that got in the way of me completing this challenge is that my specialist (aka dizzy doctor) thinks my balance problems are caused by 'cluster migraines' which means I'm not allowed any tea, coffee or chocolate (noooooooooo!), and therefore any of the recipes involving chocolate I'm unlikely to be able to make. *sad face*
But anyway, I can always try the other recipes in the new year now I have managed to get out of my overdraft *yippee*, although some of the more fattening ones might have to wait until after I am done squeezing myself into a very pretty bridesmaid dress in April 2013....
Recipes completed: 45 Remaining recipes:27
Weeks remaining:0
PS. Blogger is not allowing me to add images for the time being but as soon as I get that figured out I'll add in the missing photos!
Cook in Boots (Ravinder Bhogal) 18/20
1. Fattoush p. 21 (see Jamie Oliver's Garlic chicken below)
2. Halloumi and sweet balsamic tomato open sandwich p. 26
3.Goan Sausage Burgers with masala chips and chilli pineapple salsa p. 30
6. Roasted tomato soup with cheese soldiers p. 74
7. Cardamom biscuits p. 86
8. Pea, pancetta and halloumi frittata p. 117
9. Hummus p. 132
10. Falafel p. 136 (2nd attempt baked this time- much better!)
11. Breakfast burritos p. 160
12. Zesty angel hair spaghetti p. 182
13. Chickpea and potato curry p. 184
14. Portabello mushroom and cheddar crumble p. 186
15. Spicy Sausage Ragu Bake p. 192
16. Hanoi poached chicken p. 202
17. Orecchiette with curly kale, lemon, and basil pesto p. 221
18. Butternut Squash, feta, seeds and greens salad p. 225
19. Crispy five spice duck breasts and pak choi p. 276
20. Fragrant chicken curry with star anise and lace pancakes p. 280
Rosie's Pantry: Baking 4/6
21. Carrot Cake p. 14
24. Lemon Meringue Pie p. 124
25. Pains au chocolat p. 134
26. English Muffins p. 164
Gorgeous Desserts (Annie Bell) 3/12
28. Rhubarb Fool p. 76
30. Creme Caramel p. 90
31. Cranachan trifle p. 102
32. Petits Pots au Chocolat p. 113
33. Very chocolate-y Tiramisu p. 118
34. Salty caramel chocolate sponge p. 124
35. Big apple pie p. 13036. Baked rhubarb sponge p. 142
37. Lemon surprise pudding p. 156
38. Hot Cross Bun pudding p. 184
Food Lovers: Cupcakes and Bakes 2/4
39. Redcurrant and Blueberry Muffins p. 46
40. Apple cakes p. 58
41. Berry cupcakes p. 64
42. Carrot muffins with walnuts p. 90
Jamie's Ministry of Food (Jamie Oliver) 18/30
43. Asian Chicken Noodle Broth p. 37
44. Macaroni cauliflower cheese bake p. 49
45. Chicken Chow Mein p. 60
46. Sweet and sour pork stir fry p. 65
47. Beef and black bean sauce p. 69
48. Chicken Korma p. 74
49. Lamb Rogan Josh p. 81
50. Chicken Tikka Masala p. 82
51. Thai Green Curry p. 91 
53. Jam Jar Dressings p. 102
54. Sweet potato and chorizo soup p. 131
55. Cauliflower cheese soup p. 136
56. Basic stew p. 180
57. Baked creamy leeks p. 219
58. Perfect roast chicken p. 196
59. Perfect Roast Lamb p. 200
60. Yorkshire Puddings p. 209
61. Baked French Potatoes p. 220
62. Crunchy Garlic Chicken p. 241 
63. Parmesan chicken breast (sliced) p. 242
64. Lamb chops and chunky salsa p. 244
65. Morroccan lamb and couscous p. 246
66. Griddled tuna and asparagus p. 26167. Paella p. 292
68. Granola p. 316
69. Vanilla cheesecake p. 325
70. Fruit scones p. 331
71. Quick steamed microwave puddings p. 333
72. Cookies p. 336
Ta ta for now!
xx
