MM and I decided to turn the week of Independence Day into a staycation!
As a result, I’ve had some time to make things that I usually talk myself out of, due to the amount of time they’d take, and how much I typically like to take it easy when not working. 🙂
(We’ve also been spending our time catching up on our Movie Challenge, getting ourselves up to 16! Check out the reviews for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Unknown, and Tag.)
Prior to the staycation, I’d asked MM what he’d like this week. It could be anything – something I’ve made before but we haven’t had in a while, or something I’ve never tried before. He could even ask for something that his mom or grandmother would make. Sky was the limit.
He named 6 things! Not quite what I had expected. He threw all of them out quickly, but the ones I caught (and retained) included Shepherd’s Pie, Beef and Potatoes, and Cheese Stuffed Meatballs.
I’ve made two of those before, but not the Shepherd’s Pie. That’s one that MM determined he loved after a trip to Boston, and has been judging all other Shepherd’s Pies against that one. Therefore, I have been on the lookout for a good recipe.
In the process of looking for a recipe on SeriousEats.com, where I’ve been going more and more recently to find different things to try, I found a few different things I wanted to try this week.
So, I started adding things to my list. Here’s what I’ve made so far, and what I’m planning on making with the remaining days I have before getting back to my normal routine:
- Lemon Olive Oil Muffins – Done!
- Apple Pie – Done!
- Cornbread – Done!
- Cheese Stuffed Meatballs – Done!
- Cottage Pie (Shepherd’s Pie with beef instead of lamb)
- Coffee Cake Muffins
- Salted Chocolate Chunk Cookies
- Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken with Rice
Also, my first pie EVER, complete with a homemade crust. I’m quite proud of that one, though I know I can do it better (less soggy bottom crust, though I think the top was really tasty). I’m not a pie fan, to be honest, so the fact that I’ve made one, and somewhat enjoyed it makes me question myself more than I’m comfortable. 🙂
I’m relatively pleased with the Lemon Olive Oil Muffins, though I feel like they could be a little more moist (the only way I’ll use that word, ever – not a fan). I’m going to tweak that recipe a bit more, I think. The cornbread is simple, from a box, but a true “crowd” pleaser, as MM love it. The meatballs are going to be for tonight’s dinner, with pasta!
I’ve created quiet the list for myself, and we’ll see if I get it all done.
So, celebrating freedom by giving myself the freedom to have fun in the kitchen! 🙂