Thanks for the recipes!

Image from WeHeartIt

I like to cook.  And I think I'm quite good at it.  However, I'm not that great at just knocking up a meal using only my own imagination.  I worry about measurements, whether ingredients will work together, what if it turns out horrible and it's a waste of time.  Because let's face it, who has time to waste these days??

I need a little guidance in the kitchen.  And I've found the interwebs to be the best way to find that guidance.  The part I love is that bloggers who post recipes are everyday people who have already tested them out first for you and can vouch for their tastiness, or ways they've found to differ from the original recipe. And if you really love the recipe, have a story about making and sharing the dish, or you find a way to improve it, you can get in touch with the blogger to let them know, which I'm sure would really make their day!  Bless this interactive, connected, digital world we live in!

As I was writing up my grocery list last week, I realised that more and more, recipes I have found on other blogs are becoming regular features in my fortnightly meal plan.  There are some amazing delights to be found out there in the blogiverse and some really great cooks, people with real skill, intuition and confidence in cooking. 

So, I'd like to say THANK YOU to these awesome bloggers and their nomdiddlyicious recipes for bringing so much joy to the tummies and tastebuds of our household!  If you haven't already, you really must check these out:


Domesblissity
Like you may guess from the blog name, Anne is a domestic queen!  Her blog is bursting with loads of handy tips and ideas for the home, and she also happens to have a very handy and inspiring recipe list.  Some of my favourites that I've tried are the Bbq rub marinade, which I actually used very successfully on steaks instead of chicken, Flo's pumpkin scones which have been enjoyed not only by us in the household but other family members and continues to be the only way Mia will eat pumpkin, and the Pasta and meatballs which is just as delicious as it looks in the photos.



Picklebums
This recipe is currently sitting on the "favourite recipe of the moment" throne at our house.  It is sooooo good, and just goes to show that homemade and fresh food really does taste best.  If you want a family meal that is easy, tasty and could be adapted to suit a larger group, try Kate's Taco seasoning and tortillas from scratch.  You won't regret it!  To really give the "cooked from scratch" tick to the whole dish, try making your own guacamole and tomato salsa to go with it. If you have a food processor or a blender it really only takes a few minutes more. 


Not All Tea And Scones
Erin is not only a fellow Canberran, but also an old school friend of mine!  And as it turns out, an eager cook too.  She's cooking her way through the CWA Classics Cookbook, and is currently sitting at recipe # 62 - Sweet and Sour Meatballs (which I am absolutely going to be trying very soon!).  Recently we made, and devoured within two days, the Over the top fudge brownies (and now I'm having a pimple breakout, but I don't care, it was totally worth it).  Some of my other favourites from Erin's blog, especially for the colder months, are the Tuna casserole, Meatloaf, and the Lentil soup.


Veggie Mama
At this point I'll say that if I could choose one blog's design to steal, it would probably be this one's.  So simple, so pretty, so clean!  It's always a joy to wander through this blog.  And it's a joy to peruse the extensive recipe list too.  My perception of what vego's live on changed completely after reading through a few of Stacey's posts.  A recent gem which I have found and tested is the Honey soy sesame saute, and I've got my eye on the Roasted pumpkin and pea risotto with parmesan and ricotta to try next.  It's a shame I didn't discover this blog when Mia was still eating pureed stuff, there's plenty of inspiration for Baby food here.  Veggie Baby sure has it good!


So there is my selection of the best blogger's recipes for you to try and make yummy noises over!  Funny, even though I just ate dinner I'm feeling a little peckish again....