a year of new recipes

in 2011 i really focused on eating more at home and trying out new recipes.  i went through my blog and pictures i have taken and thought i'd be fun to share my favorite from each month with you.

january : homemade pasta : last year for christmas i got a pasta machine and couldn't wait to try it out.  it was definitely a fun adventure but still think for a week night meal that a box is easier.

february : fresh pasta rollatini with spinach and ricotta :  probably the most labor intensive dish i made all year but so worth it.

march : feta-stuffed chicken breast with lemon and tomato white bean spinach salad : this dish was super simple and i just love feta cheese.

april : baked spinach and pea risotto : this dish is by far my favorite from the entire year.  it was absolutely delicious and can be made in one pot.  if you're looking for a simple, tasty meal pick this one. 

may :  ginger-marinated steak and noodle salad : probably one of the most unique dishes i made from the past year.  it was full of flavor and even though it has noodles and steak it was still a surprisingly light dish.

june : creamy avocado chicken salad : this dish was so easy and i almost always have all the ingredients in my pantry.  this was the perfect summer dish, very refreshing. 

july : honey soy grilled salmon with edamame : i love summer because of the many things you can just throw on the grill, including fish.  this dish was full of so many of my favorite asian flavors.

august : chicken gyros : great summer dish that provided a ton of leftovers and to make it even better i served it with grilled corn on the cob.

september : salsa verde pizza with goat cheese and bacon : this recipe is from my favorite chef, rick bayless.  might sound like a strange combo, but don't knock it until you try it.  i also cheated and used a pre-made pizza crust instead of making homemade dough.

october : tomato soup with roast beef, cheddar and horseradish panini : it is hard to beat soup and a sandwich.  i loved the flavor of the homemade soup, definitely worth the extra effort.

november : pork-sweet potato quesadillas : who knew a sweet potato would be good in a quesadilla?  it was a great change up from the typical cheese version.

december: my mom's lasagna : not a new recipe but a classic. a great meal to serve for a group of people because it makes a ton and it is a piece of cake to make.

i am looking forward to trying even more in 2012 and cannot wait to share.