Blogging from A to Z: Baking

My husband gave me the baking idea for blogging, since I enjoy cooking. The first question I asked him was, “Do I actually need to bake something to blog about it?” I keep printing out recipes that sound good and they are stacking up in one of our kitchen cabinets. Recipes for yummy items like Blueberry Coffee Cake and Persimmon Pudding. I’ve printed out recipes for homemade, organic dog biscuits since they seem doable (and it seems healthier for our dog, Hershey). I used to travel extensively with my job and I’d purchase a souvenir cookbook from new places that I visited. Needless to say, I have a lot of cookbooks so there is no lack of resources.

The problem is that when I get home after work, I’m too pooped to bake. I may be one of the only people who actually read cookbooks. I also enjoy cooking from them. But, it’s difficult to find the time to try new recipes — deciding which recipe to make, shopping for ingredients, carving out time in the next day or two to make something, etc. There is also the fact that we’re a household of two (humans) so whatever I make either has to be a small recipe or inevitably lasts a very long time (as leftovers, frozen portions, gifts to neighbors and strangers walking by, etc.)

There are a few websites that offer enticing recipes via email. MaryJanesFarm recently offered a Zucchini chip and dip recipe (great way to encourage vegetable-eating).

Allrecipes.com is another website that offers delish recipes. Take a gander at this Shrimp and Asparagus dish. It’s almost like the asparagus is hiding amongst the garlic, butter, parmesan cheese and lemon juice – just the way I like my vegetables — incognito!

For the health conscious, there’s SparkRecipes’ Curried Mango Pork Chops. These recipes have been wonderful and they help me trim the fat as well.

Happy baking, cooking or just reading a new cookbook, to inspire you this spring. If you have a favorite recipe, and wish to share, leave a comment below.