This one, I just completed.  “Cook 10 recipes from the Smitten Kitchen blog.”  This was not hard to do since I’m a big Smitten Kitchen fan and I love to cook.  The SK author, Deb,  (we affectionately refer to her by name in my circles) is a food lover and avid photographer.

While I enjoy reading her stories and checking out her beautiful photographs, my favorite is the food she makes.  Most foods are relatively healthy, with simple, fresh ingredients.  Desserts, on the other hand, are exactly as they should be–crazy good and not an ounce of “health” to be seen.  Well, I’m exaggerating about the desserts, but they are worth it, in time and content.  She cooks a lot of vegetarian food (a win for me) with vegetables I’d like to make part of my daily life.  It’s working.

A scene from Curried Lentils and Sweet Potatoes.  Notice the proximity of laptop (and cell phone) here.  This was from January, but I think I also made Baklava that night.

The first 10 SK recipes that I tried in 2010

Squash and Chickpea Moroccan Stew – Made this because I didn’t know what to make with my butternut squash.

Curried Lentils and Sweet Potatoes – This one I chose when I search “curry and lentils” on her website before getting out of the car to go to the grocery store.  Did not disappoint.

Tomato Sauce with Butter and Onions – Easy sauce I made for my very picky family.  The butter was incredible.

Chocolate Whiskey and Beer Cupcakes – I co-made this recipe with Sara for Cooking Club Reunion.  Super time consuming, but good.

Cubed, Hacked Caprese – This was a repeat from Cooking Club Reunion.  I’ve made it three times since then.  Yum.

Fork-Crushed Purple Potatoes – Remembered seeing this on the SK website and couldn’t resist buying purple potatoes.

Carrot and Avocado Salad – Who wouldn’t like this?  Easy to make too.

Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting – My redhead LOVES all orange veggies.  A prefect treat for him. He put in a future request for these in September for his birthday.

Spaghetti with Swiss Chard and Garlic Chips – Wow I can’t get enough of this.  Swiss Chard is my favorite hearty green as well. I’ve even skipped the Feta cheese in this recipe and nothing is missing.  Still fantastic.

Pizza, Even Sweeter – Photo below, story lower!  WOW!

This Pizza, Even Sweeter, was the most recent recipe I made, and definitely a FAVORITE.  Definitely.  Look at that crust!!!   In the lower right hand corner–that’s right, a PIZZA BUBBLE!

I couldn’t believe I made it at HOME in MY oven.  If you’ve talked to me in the last four days, I’ve probably mentioned this pizza to you…at least five times per conversation.    It was fantastic.  Who’s coming over for Pizza Night?