Choosing a New Recipe

When it comes to choosing new recipes to try, I have several different methods.  I'd love to share them with you, and then hear how you pick yours!

One thing I often do is flip through magazines, and tear out any pages of recipes I'd like to try.  I have a lovely little stack of torn-out recipes, just waiting to be tried and filed.  If a new one has really struck a chord with me, I will make sure I have or pick up whatever is needed to make it as soon as possible, as in that night!  This is a great spur-of-the-moment method for me.

I also love ~ LOVE! ~ cookbooks (so much so that I will be writing about my love of cookbooks very soon!!).  As I read or scan through a cookbook, whether one of my own or one borrowed from a friend or the library, I will fold down the corner of the page marking any recipes I'd like to try.  Yes, that is ME folding down the corners.  I will then work a few from one book into upcoming meals.  This method works well for me when I am on a meal-planning roll, which happens every so often.

A great way to find recipes is to search online.  I'm sure we all have our favorite sites (sounds like another separate post will be coming soon!!), and I tend to check out the same few when I need a recipe.  Some favorites: AllRecipes.com, Cooking.com, EveryDayFood.com (MarthaStewart.com)...  Searching online works best for me when I have something specific set out for that night, and need some ideas on how to use it; or maybe I know how I want to use it, but am looking for a little twist to my usual way.

Another way I find recipes is to ask family members or friends to share THEIR recipes, especially if it's something specific that I've enjoyed before.  I love to make something that has been passed down or passed over from someone special, and I hope that asking them for their 'secret recipe' gives them a happy feeling.  :)

And sometimes, I use a combo of all of these methods!

For example -

Tonight, I have boneless skinless chicken breasts out.  I decided that I am in the mood for Chicken Parmesan, and I prefer a fairly easy method of cooking.  I found a recipe in one of my current library books, and another recipe that sounded good online, and I will combine them to come up with my own special dish.

Stay tuned for that recipe, along with pictures and the verdict from my own personal tasting panel (AKA Dear Hubby and Teen Son, for want of more dynamic and fitting pseudo names).

So, tell me... 
How/Where do you find new recipes?

What's on the Menu?

On my way home (from picking up my car at the shop after a full day at work) tonight, I stopped at my favorite local produce place to get a few things for the weekend. 

Brief Interruption:

I have to say, we are very lucky to have such a great store nearby; the produce is fresh and they have a huge variety, including quite a few things I've never even heard of but can't wait to try; they carry pantry and refrigerated items, such as jumbo bags of rice, canned items, spices, tortillas, cheese and eggs and milk; and (AND!) they have freshly cut meat at great prices.  They completely won me over many months ago, when my usual little meat place did not have flank steak; I went to the produce place for my regular veggie list, and asked if they carried flank steak; they asked what size I needed, and then they went right to the back and cut it to order!  I made whatever recipe I was in the mood for that day, and it was delicious!

Return to current programming:

So, meat-wise, here is what I picked up -
5 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
2+ pounds of ground beef
1 pound or so of steak strips

I picked up a few veggies to add to what we already have at home, and we have plenty of pantry items; based on this, I've planned the following meals:

SAT ~ Easy Chicken Parmesan over Noodles, with a Salad
SUN ~ Burgers on the Grill and Homemade Potato Chips
MON ~ Pepper Steak over Rice, with a Salad

I'll be posting recipes with pictures as we go!

Happy Weekend to you all!

Welcome to a Bit of Flavor!

Welcome to my blog!  I'm so glad you've popped in, and I hope you enjoy my ramblings.  Maybe we'll even learn a little something here together, maybe not, but I bet we have fun!  ;)

I plan to post a variety of food and kitchen related things, including kitchen tips and tricks, recipes (with pictures!), cookbook and website reviews, activities to share with family and friends, and more.

So, nose around and check out what we're up to in my little piece of the world ~ and be sure to spread the word and come back often!

And remember ~ Life is better with a bit of flavor!