Overall I made 50 things in April.
April 1
Rosemary-Brined Pork Chops with Apples and Potatoes (Dinner)
Got thin ones so I brined as normal, but BBQd them instead of doing them on the stovetop and in the oven. SInce the BBQ was on I made grilled bread and onions too.
Green Salad
Second night in a row. Turned down the salt and tried to get the balance of oil and vinegar better instead. Was good.
I've cooked this 10 times before
April 3
Oatmeal (Breakfast)
Roasted Broccoli
With green garlic- sliced in half lengthwise.. The garlic finished first so I pulled it out.
Pasta and Pesto
From MV Pasta Co
April 4
Paella (Dinner)
On a whim I bought paella ingredients from The Spanish Table- Bilboa chorizo, Bomba rice, chicken stock, etc. We got chicken and clams and mussels (1lb each, less clams and mussels next time).
The recipe doesn't mention it but I sliced the chorizo.
You don't have to add salt. I was worried bit the recipe didn't mention it, and there's plenty from the broth and the sausage I think.
I wasn't sure how to clean mussels or clams so I found some recipes that mentioned it (the links are below).
I didn't have a paella pan (although I spent a lot of time looking at them in the store, so maybe I don't yet have a paella pan) so I used a 14" skillet.
All in all a good experience!
- Paella Recipe: https://www.spanishtable.com/paella-receta.html
- Clams: https://www.foodiecrush.com/how-to-make-steamed-clams/
- Mussels: https://www.theendlessmeal.com/how-to-cook-mussels/
April 6
Cucumber
I've cooked this just once before
April 7
Panko Pork Chops (Dinner)
I've cooked this 10 times before
Leek Fritters
Took a long time. This needed all of the same stuff as the panko pork chops I was making at the same time - the oven (but at 250), ideally the same cast-iron pan, etc. Just a lot of contention.
I've cooked this just once before
Scrambled Eggs (Breakfast)
1.5tbsp of butter.
Really tried to get the butter in fast after the water evaporates, melted and then the eggs in quickly. I think that helped, things went a bit slower and softer.
I've cooked this 28 times before
April 8
Green Salad
I've cooked this 11 times before
April 9
Pasta and Pesto
With leftover panko pork chops from last night.
The Best Basic Guacamole
Turned out great. Got the salt and lime right.
Zov's Hummus
I've cooked this 27 times before
Greek-Style Chicken Kebabs with Lemon and Oregano
Feedback was that the grill marks were too deep. Too deep! There is truly no winning. I thought they looked amazing and tasted great.
I've cooked this 15 times before
April 10
Green Salad
I've cooked this 12 times before
April 11
Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
April 13
Cheesy White Bean-Tomato Bake
With extra cheese
Sauteed Chard
Big meh. I need a better recipe for chard.
April 14
Chicken and Rice Soup with Lemon (Dinner)
Took a long time but it was a nice situation, hanging out while it cooked
I've cooked this just once before
Asparagus
Rice Bean Cheese Burrito (Kid's Lunch)
I've cooked this 11 times before
April 15
Hasselback Potatoes
Mini ones again. Lots of flat surface to get crisp, and small enough that they were done in 40-50 minutes at 400°. Like steak fries workout the oil. Great!
April 17
Scrambled Eggs (Breakfast)
With cheese! More eggs, more butter, deluxe for Easter
Getting the eggs in just a bit after the butter melts continues to help. Extra butter helped too, these ended up really soft but with enough heat to melt the cheese off of the fire.
I've cooked this 29 times before
Bacon (Breakfast)
Quesadillas (Lunch)
With leftover soup.
Crispy Tofu with Cashews and Blistered Snap Peas (Dinner)
I've cooked this 13 times before
Dry Sauteed String Beans
April 18
Scrambled Eggs (Breakfast)
More regular - regular butter, no cheese.
I've cooked this 30 times before
Salami Sandwich (Kid's Lunch)
Sheet-Pan Chicken With Zucchini and Basil (Dinner)
The store didn't have zucchini or basil, kind of a challenge for a recipe with those in the name.
I tossed the chicken with chopped oregano, garlic, salt and pepper (all chopped together so the salt helps mash everything up), cooked it per the instructions. I had brocolli so I used that instead of zuchinni; I added it with about 20 minutes remaining. It was good cooked in the chicken grease, but a bit more time would have helped.
I've cooked this just once before
April 19
Grilled Cheese (Lunch)
With leftover bacon!
I've cooked this 14 times before
April 20
Galbi (Dinner)
Still from Serious Eats.
I didn't have the Asian pear (or a kiwi substitute as mentioned in a comment). That same comment mentioned that those tenderize the meat, and it was a little tough. Still delicious though!
Green Salad
I thought this would act as lettuce wraps but all on the side. Like a fancy deconstructed wrap. The thought was nice.
I've cooked this 13 times before
April 21
Kale
I've cooked this 11 times before
Sauteed Green Garlic and Green Onions
Kind of as a side or a topper to mix in with the rice and leftover galbi. Sauteed these in my wok for a minute or two. Pretty nice!
April 22
Shrimp Tacos (Dinner)
I got the pan super hot, and let the oil heat up until it just just started smoking. The onions got a little browned and fried on the edges, and the shrimp cooked up nicer. The extra heat was better!
April 23
Scrambled Eggs (Breakfast)
I've cooked this 31 times before
Grilled Cheese (Lunch)
I have a note from a long time ago that grilling the inside first is upping my game. This is a lie!
Just make sure your pan is really preheated first (medium is fine, but if you're using cast iron like I am give it like 5 minutes), and use plenty of butter. The rest will work itself out.
I've cooked this 15 times before
April 24
Beans
Rancho Gordo Frijol Negro Santanero (from Oaxaca). These were super-cool tiny little beans, with amazing deep colors (purple and brown and black). I checked them after an hour and they were close; an hour fifteen had them a bit underdone but better than risking the mush I made last time.
I've cooked this 15 times before
April 25
Quesadillas (Kid's Lunch)
Salami Sandwich (Kid's Lunch)
I've cooked this just once before
Drunken Beans
Got home late and made this for my lunch the rest of the week. Since it's for me, I upped the spice.
April 26
Chicken and Rice
Made it late (after going out) so it should be easy dinners for the rest of the week
April 27
Green Salad
I've cooked this 14 times before
April 29
Hasselback Potatoes
Green Salad
Arugula from our garden, my regular dressing and some of the toasted panko from the spring onions on top.
I've cooked this 15 times before
Roasted Spring Onions
3 veggies with dinner! Leftover chicken and rice was the main, but the wide variety of vegetables was nice.
April 30
Scrambled Eggs (Breakfast)
I've cooked this 32 times before
Zov's Hummus (Dinner)
Not a very filling dinner (just the hummus) but actually everyone seemed fine with it. I guess I was worried it wasn't enough (even with pita and carrots).