The 21 Foods List
Yesterday I ate:
– 1 apple with 2 tbsp PB2 and 1 slice multigrain bread with a little bit of almond butter and raspberry jam
– Veggie medley parfait (carrots, asparagus, tomato, cucumber, green pepper) and about a cup of grapes
– 1 calzone
– Handful of raw chickpeas and some mushrooms with hummus (the raw chickpeas are what happen when I’m hungry and am in the process of making hummus. Yummy!)
– 2 small bowls of cereal (mixture of puffed wheat with homemade granola, topped with unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze, a banana, and 1/2 apple)
– 2 glasses Yellow Tail Cab Sauv, 1 vodka shot, and 1 1/2 vodka-cranberries. It’s fun when the bartender gives you free drinks for your birthday. I think I’ll start saying it’s my birthday every night. (Kidding. Sort of. :D)
Make it from scratch
When I found out that Lori had created a 30 Foods List for her 30th birthday of all the food she wants to make from scratch before her 31st birthday, I immediately wanted to jump on that bandwagon and do the same. Now that I have turned 21, I present to you…
The 21 Foods List!
These are 21 foods that I will make from scratch before my 22nd birthday:
1. Perogies
2. Pasta (spaghetti/linguine style… the noodles themselves, that is. I have mastered the art of boiling pasta!)
3. Cinnamon buns (without breadmaker help)
4. Jam
5. Marshmallows
6. Gnocchi (again, the actual making of the dough and filling, not the act of boiling the pasta)
7. Baked donuts
8. Graham crackers
9. Cheesecake
10. Bagels
11. Pickles
12. English Muffins
13. Canning something. I’m thinking tomatoes?
14. Roasting a turkey. Preferably with all the fixings.
15. Nut butter
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
Yes. Many of these are foods not typically thought of as “healthy” (marshmallows and donuts, oh my!). And they are also mostly of the bread variety (what can I say; I like bread). But that’s okay, because part of this little challenge is going to be trying to healthify some of these foods! Hence why the donuts, for example, will be baked. It’s going to be a healthy and delicious cooking spree around here for the next year. Making food from scratch is so much fun! I’ve made tortillas, ice cream, butter, different kinds of dressings/sauces/condiments, beef jerky and other dehydrated foods, all sorts of baked goods including bread and granola bars, and yogurt cheese, but there are so many more things out there to experiment with and enjoy. I’m looking forward to this year of food-making.
Here’s where you come in: As you can see, there are a few empty spaces in my list. I’ll be writing about my experiences with making all of these foods here on the blog, so I’d love it if you all help me to decide what should be added to the list. Lend your voice: what are some things that you have always wanted to try making? Leave them in the comments and I’ll pick a few and add them to my list! If you have tons of suggestions, we can always knock a couple off of my pre-made list. Or just make the list a wee bit longer. I’m flexible!
Are you a coffee drinker? If so, roast your own coffee – extremely rewarding. Or, how about make your own jam? Oh, one other, make your own yogurt.
I have actually been planning to make donuts (pumpkin donuts) for a while. I was hoping I could do WHOLE WHEAT donuts! It may not work, but like you, I like to have fun in the kitchen and experiment!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Making bagels is SO MUCH fun! And tasty too. What about yogurt? I’ve become totally addicted to my homemeade yogurt. Although it’s really easy to do so maybe you are looking for something more challenging? Also, homemade granola is awesome. ANd makes for a nice healthy christmas gift!
Homemade pesto? (maybe you’ve done this loads but it only occurred to me recently to do it)
Pate? (smoked mackerel, cottage cheese, horseradish, pepper and lemon)
Spring rolls?
South Beach Steve- I don’t like coffee but I know lots of people who are coffee addicts, so that could be interesting! I like the jam idea.
Gina- thanks 🙂 And YES to the whole wheat donuts. I love playing in the kitchen.
Charlotte- I like the idea of making yogurt. That’s okay if it’s easy to do! Accomplishing 21 things is going to be a challenge in and of itself so if there are a couple easier ones on there, that will be just fine.
bb- I’ve made spring rolls before but never pate! I love that idea! I don’t like pesto very much but I can think of a few people who would probably very much appreciate it being made for them.
How about:
-cottage cheese
-pumpkin puree (now’s the time with the pie pumpkins in stores!)
-Vegetable stock
– samosas
HaHa!! I didn’t even know what many of those foods were before my 22nd birthday! I have eaten them, but didn’t MAKE them, good for you, Sagan!
I totally agree with Lori’s samosas suggestion – a healthy way of cooking those would just about be the holy grail, I reckon.
About 10 years ago in a tiny B&B somewhere deep in Germany I ate some lavender soup. It was delicious. I’ve never come across it again and would love to be able to cook it. I have made lavender biscuits, which are extremely tasty, though it would be a stretch too far to call them healthy – maybe I should work out a healthier way of cooking them when the lavender season comes round again next summer… Anyway if you sign up for lavender soup I shall be fascinated to know how you get on!
I’m sure there are lots of things that I want to try, but they’re not coming to me right now…I was making my own yogurt last winter and into the spring (inspired by Charlotte), and I was straining it to make greek yogurt – awesome! Also, pita bread is fun to make; I have a new recipe for Whole Wheat Pita Bread which I do intend to try out at some point.
Husband and I made Gnocchi for the first time last winter. It was a bit of a process, but not difficult and it turned out really well. Experimenting is fun! Especially when the results are tasty.
I didn’t know you could make your own marshmallows?! I’m PUMPED to see this one. 🙂
Do you like greek yogurt? I’ve seen others make it on blogs, and I would LOVE to try that. Or do you like sushi? (aaaahh, LOVE sushi).
What about a protein/energy bar, using whole foods?
Or some kind of duck (I know, I’m not helping much)?
Ooh, or sushi.
Lori- I’ve made pumpkin puree before and a type of baked samosa, but never cottage cheese or vegetable stock. I really especially want to try the latter!
Dr. J- 🙂 I like cooking.
Liz- that’s such an interesting idea. I’ve never heard of lavender soup or biscuits! I’ll definitely look into that one.
JavaChick- pita bread is a good one! That one could be tricky. Sounds like a good challenge to me.
Holly- I still haven’t tried Greek yogurt! Must try it. I’ve made sushi before, it didn’t turn out very well hehe (and I lovelovelove sushi as well)
Tricia- oh my goodness peaking duck would be amaaaaazing. Good idea. I’ve made energy bars before but I bet I could find a really good way to pump up the protein. I shall take your suggestion and experiment!
Make me baklava. Make it for Christmas. Mmmmmm baklava.
Oooh! I’d definitely try your hand at some exotic foods! What about paella or dosa? Idly? Just have fun!
spanikopita, or any pastry, really.
Richard- that could be fun. I’ve never enjoyed baklava very much but I could make some for you! Also where’s my email and/or letter? Jeez 🙂
Mimi- I LOVE PAELLA!!! One of my favourite foods. Great idea!
Alana- really can’t go wrong with pastry 😉
what a great idea to make a list like this–alot of those are on my own (pasta, cinn buns, marshmallows, baked donuts, graham crackers, english muffins…. haha). if you’re interested, I posted my fam’s pierogi recipe last christmas 🙂
i’ve been feeling guilty for suggesting you make your own pate while in the middle of a vegan challenge. seems sort of cruel somehow!
also, i see you eat loads of nut butters. do you make these from scratch? you could do that too. i think dietgirl once posted a recipe for it.