Poll: Do you make things twice?

[Jessica]

I love to try new recipes and as a result, I rarely make something more than once. I do have some tried-and-true recipes, but I can never resist the challenge of new tastes and combinations.

My DH is very patient, but will occasionally ask, "Could you make XYZ again sometime?" I made a stuffed pepper recipe from CL in January 1998 and have yet to honor his request for a rerun.

Anyone else have this problem?

[HDgirl]

No..I have the opposite problem...if I make something that I really like, I will make it once a week for a few weeks until I've had enough. I am the only one who cooks...so no one complains!!

[gertdog]

I am always trying new recipes, but my SO could eat the same menu week in, week out. He does occasionally get frustrated with the endless variety and sometime recipe failures (not bashing SO here... he tries everything I make and eats vegetarian even though I'm the only vegetarian in the house, AND he cleans up after meals! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif ). Here's what I do to keep the peace.

1. I usually plan a week of dinner menus at a time. I select a few more recipes than we'll use, then ask SO to veto the two that least appeal to him.

2. I ask SO to suggest one dinner menu each week. He always asks for one of four things: tacos, lasagne, golden cheddar cheese soup, or homemade pizza. I accommodate his main dish request (but often try out a new recipe for a side dish).

I do rely heavily on tried-and-true recipes when cooking for dinner parties, potlucks, etc. I tend not to be so confident about subjecting friends and strangers to my cooking experiments!

[emilycat]

Jessica,
I, too, rarely ever make anything twice -- I get such a thrill out of glossing over recipes and trying out new ingredient combinations, cooking methods and different cuisines -- I have an endless supply of ideas, and not enough days in the week to satiate my cooking frenzy! Ack! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif
Seriously, I do have several dishes that I've made on numerous occasions, but usually because I want something tried-and-true for guests.

[Beth H]

I do have a list of "favorites" that I rotate around. But, I try a lot of new CL dishes, and even if I like one, I'll sort of "forget" about it. Then, I have a hard time remembering what year I made it!

[lorilei]

I definitely have recipes that I make over and over again -- in fact, that's the trademark in my mind of a good recipe. If I can't imagine NOT making it again, it's good. Otherwise it's just another idea.

To keep things interesting, I'll often build on a good recipe to create something different. My chocolate mousse recipe is hardly ever the same from time to time. Sometimes I'll add a hint of raspberry. Sometimes orange... and sometimes I'll use the recipe to fill a pie shell.

As for CL recipes -- A few, like the white bean enchiladas, I've used as a base for my own "versions" and made them multiple times. I've also made a number of the cheesecakes twice...

I like giving some recipes a "second chance" if I think they have possibility. I've stumbled upon some really good things that didn't work so well the first time, but which I was able to perfect with a little bit of "practice" http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Chefmom]

I too have a list of top ten recipes that I make regularly. Pasta with Meat Sauce is one thing that my son will eat, and one of the best things for him on his "picky list", so I make it often. Hey we all love it, I have yet to hear a complaint on spagetti night!!

I will ask my husband what HE wants too, he is a grown up picky eater, so I like to make things that he is craving, not just what I'm in the mood to cook. I have been doing a LOT of freezer cooking to test my recipes when they are re-heated. We eat it fresh made, we test it the next day from the fridge and then I freeze some and we test within a month of preparation. I then write down the results. I have been doing so much experimentation that I would forget what is what.

I ALWAYS keep around (in the freezer) potato soup, it goes with everything and we both love it. Broccoli soup too, I could eat it all the time! I keep quickies like taco meat, pizza sauce (I now ONLY make my own), and chili in the freezer for when we are in the mood for a more casual "living room picnic" dinner.

When I do new things I do up the recipe, we eat it and then decide whether or not I should make changes. Over the years my taco meat has GREATLY improved as my knowledge of spices increased. I also now add a puree of precooked seasoned/baked beans and it has made it better than ever. So even an old standard gets a new face.

I don't try flat out brand new things more than once every 10 days, I personally think that it would overload hubbies tastes, he too likes "comfort food" more than he lets on.

Some new things that I have added are FISH, we now eat at LEAST twice a week, and for my carnivorous husband, that is a great thing. I don't think I can ever get him more veggie, but he loves fish and NEVER has complained when I do it more often. Salmon is at least once a week, and other fish, depending on what I am making. Cod is a big favorite, especially when we splurge with fried fish/cauliflower/onion ring night!! I usually do hush puppies to boot.

If a recipe I cook up is good, I will definitely make it again, if it is REALLY good, then it will make it into the rotation more often.

Tami

[SusieO]

I cook about four meals per week, and my goal is to go the whole year without repeating a recipe. With four months down, so far so good! And I'm not sure DH has noticed, yet, although he's not complaining about the variety. He keeps telling me how much he's enjoying my cooking lately.

[mb]

we cook 5-6 times per week, and usually most of those times we follow recipes (most often from CL). the rest of the time, we have simple things that don't really need recipes, like pasta, certain big sandwiches, big salads, burgers, etc. since there are always so many good CL recipes to try, we pretty much never eat the same thing twice when it comes to 'recipe cooking'. sometimes my DH 'complains', saying "how come we never made --- again?"... but other times, he says, "wow, we really eat well - we never eat anything twice!" again, this comes from a guy who likes pretty much everything we make, but would also be happy eating chinese food every night! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[makedah]

Chefmom -- I thought potatoes were a freezing no-no because they turn mushy/grainy. I haven't tried it for that reason. Please share your potato soup recipe and freezing tips!

After years and years of eating about 4 things (frozen pizza, baked chicken, chili and spaghetti) over and over and over, my goal has been to try 100 new recipes this year, and I'm certainly on my way. Recently, however, I was short on time and made my good ol spaghetti and meatballs (this time with ground round instead of chuck!) and it was a JOY to cook and dine simply that night. It reminded me of the pleasure of familiarity, and it didn't take as much time as cooking a new recipe. I'm so busy, that's extremely important to me.

I still want to try more and more recipes, but I will be sure to keep working in favorites (as I discover them).

[JennieL]

I love to try to recipies too! I usually try 3-4 new recipies a week. I cook for my 8 year old daughter and myself, so I usually run the week's menu by her for approval.

[Terrytx]

I rarely cook the same thing twice. I do have a list of favorites and on rare occasions when I just can't decide what to fix, I will go back a pull out one of those recipes that got very high ratings with my family.

My family is very tolerant with me, as cooking is like a hobby to me. On occasion they will complain..."Can't we just have that great xyz again?" and I try to work it into the menu. For instance, tonight we are having Chicken Pasta Caesar Salad and Garlic breadsticks. This is a favorite of ours, and I do fix it several times a year. Another would be taco or fajitas.

There are a jillion recipes I want to try and I want to live long enough to try them all http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif! So I really don't have time to repeat very often.

[emilycat]

Gail, have you been sniffing paint fumes today? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

[Gail]

Actually, I was a bit upset that the timing went awry on that one. They were supposed to be one after the other...

[emilycat]

You know, I'm sure Maelynn wouldn't mind going in and deleting the posts in between http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 04-27-2001).]

[Susan]

Originally posted by gertdog:
[B]I am always trying new recipes, but my SO could eat the same menu week in, week out. He does occasionally get frustrated with the endless variety and sometime recipe failures (not bashing SO here... he tries everything I make and eats vegetarian even though I'm the only vegetarian in the house, AND he cleans up after meals! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif ). Here's what I do to keep the peace.

1. I usually plan a week of dinner menus at a time. I select a few more recipes than we'll use, then ask SO to veto the two that least appeal to him.

2. I ask SO to suggest one dinner menu each week. He always asks for one of four things: tacos, lasagne, golden cheddar cheese soup, or homemade pizza. I accommodate his main dish request (but often try out a new recipe for a side dish).[B]

gertdog ~ Our SOs sound very similar! I do think that mine could live on beef and ice cream for every meal. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif I have been trying out more vegetarian main and side dishes in the past few months, and he's been quite agreeable with this. I like your planning ideas and think I will give them a whirl (I usually plan just enough meals for the week). Thanks!

~~Susan~~

Re: poll ---> I am a big repeater of favorite recipes!

[Grace]

I try to make as many new recipes as I can - it's so much fun, but if something is REALLY good, there's no way I can't not repeat it! For example, I made the Ginger-Peanut Chicken Salad Wraps again for dinner last night - we love that recipe, and they are so quick and easy, and I always have the ingredients on hand for that one. It's also a nice cool, light supper. This is one I will probably always make. Then there are the Greek Burgers with Feta Aioli. I don't think I even want to eat a "regular, plain" hamburger ever again! These make my mouth water just when I think about them. Also one I'll probably always make. And I could probably think of a few others.

But I am always and forever trying new stuff, too. I try to mix it up - a few perfect 10 recipes, and a few new ones every week.

[KValley]

I think I've found a pretty good balance between experimenting and working out the kinks in or elaborating upon favorites. THe balance weighs more heavily in favor of trying the new, because there are so many amazing recipes out there. As Emily said, there simply aren't enough days in the week.

But as was noted on the "variations on a theme" I find myself gravitating to the same genres...

Experienced mothers out there, tell me if I am being totally anal. My mom was not the best nor most imaginative cook/meal planner out there and I have this fear of my children (who don't yet exist) growing up without a love of "mom's cooking". I want them to be proud of what I do and to have the same passion for food and cooking as I developed since living on my own/cooking for DH and myself and friends. So, I am squirreling away a set of recipes that I think I do well, ones that I have made on many occasions, in anticipation of being a busy, working mom who won't have time to devote to meal planning and cooking. I figure if I do it now, before I even have children, I'll be that much further ahead. Guess I have some control issues, eh http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by KValley (edited 04-27-2001).]

[Nutmeg]

Although I'm not as adventuresome as some, I see, my DH and I are infamous for always trying a new recipe when we have company over. That's partly b/c we almost always use recipes from CL that I've seen at least one positive review of and therefore feel pretty confident and because first-time recipes are hard to size down for two people.

[ElinorC]

I like to make at least one favorite every week. This keeps my DH from complaining about all the new foods that I introduce. If we find a recipe that we REALLY like then it gets added to the favorites list.

[Julie A]

mpuskar - I tend to try new recipes on company too - nothing outrageous, but I've had such success with CL that I don't mind doing this.
I write out our menus for the week on Sunday, and it usually includes 3 or 4 new recipes from the magazine. A couple nights are leftovers, and a night or two will something simple (soup & salad, hamburgers...)

[JHolcomb]

I usually do tried and true stuff during the week-a little boring, but I know how long it's going to take to make and how much clean up is going to be required. On the weekends I make several new recipes. If they meet time and tastiness requirements, they make into the weeknight rotation. Otherwise, I rarely make them again- too much stuff to try when I do have the time to cook. Since I cook most of our meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) I think I would go crazy trying to do it any other way. I get the occasional request to repeat something (usually kicked out of rotation because I didn't like it), but otherwise DH likes the system just fine. Like he has a choice http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by JHolcomb (edited 04-27-2001).]

[Wendy w]

I am constantly trying new recipes, but there are some tried and true keepers that I make more than once. I have absolutely no problem repeating something if its good. I have made Psycho Chicken 3 times in the past 2 months!

I have recipes for chicken enchiladas, marinara, soups, chili, clam sauce and a few other things that I make because they are really good and easy or I just get a craving for.

There is a grilled salad that I make that my sister insists that I make at least twice every summer. I will have to post it soon as it is really good and the vegetarians will love it!

[BosunsWife]

I try a lot of new things, but also mix in the old. Every once in a while, DH will say "gee, we haven't had XXX in a while". That means its time to start throwing in some of the old favorites. When he is out of town (like now) I try and make the CL things with ingredients that he doesn't really care for.

[Gail]

Wendy,

If you're interested in a job as my PR agent, you're hired! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[food girl]

I make 2-3 new things and 2 or so "old things" each week. I keep the recipes of things that I liked, but sometimes when I look back on them I think "did I REALLY like this?" because the ingredients or something will suddenly look unappealing.

Lisa

[RobinC]

I think my aversion to repeating recipes comes from a childhood of a fairly standard menu. My mom is a good cook, but just doesn't try out new recipes very often. After weeks of hounding her, she finally tried the Whiskey Flavored Pork Chops - which she has since repeated.

My darling boyfriend is wonderful to cook for. He is willing to try almost anything (just has some strange nut "issues"). I have a few recipes that I repeat, but I love getting Cooking Light each month and looking for new recipes to try. We both have a much more varied diet when I cook regularly. When we get busy and don't make time for cooking hot fresh food at home, we tend to fall into a rut of eating out or eating convience food at home.

I love to cook and enjoy finding new combinations of flavors and textures. My DB is pretty adventurous and is always really happy when I am home and cook regularly, but he has no problem taking me out to dinner when I do not feel like cooking. I am a very lucky girl!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[patsyk]

I try to make notes on the recipes that we like so that I will remember that we liked them and will make them again. I bought tiny smile-y face stickers to put on all of the recipes that got the thumbs-up from dh! I also end up making 1-2 things a week that are tried-and-true... and as for company? Well, they get things that I have made more than a couple of times - never had the nerve to experiment on anyone but my dh!!

[Gail]

No problem here with repeating things.

[SusanMac]

Jessica -- what a fun thread! I thought I was the only one.

My husband jokes that if I write a star int he magazine next to a new CL recipe, that means we'll never make it again!

It's hard to do repeat recipes, simply because the next month's issue comes and we're off to a new target list of things to make.

[ebobbitt]

Very seldom do I make the same main dish recipe twice. My motto is, "Life is too short and there are too many recipes to ever have to make the same thing again". Because there's so many recipes I want to try I really can't find the time to cook something a second time. I do find that I repeat dessert recipes but I love to bake.

[Gail]

No problem here with repeating things. http://cwm.ragesofsanity.com/otn/funny/naughty.gif

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 04-27-2001).]

[Marcie]

Originally posted by KValley:
Experienced mothers out there, tell me if I am being totally anal. My mom was not the best nor most imaginative cook/meal planner out there and I have this fear of my children (who don't yet exist) growing up without a love of "mom's cooking". I want them to be proud of what I do and to have the same passion for food and cooking as I developed since living on my own/cooking for DH and myself and friends. So, I am squirreling away a set of recipes that I think I do well, ones that I have made on many occasions, in anticipation of being a busy, working mom who won't have time to devote to meal planning and cooking. I figure if I do it now, before I even have children, I'll be that much further ahead. Guess I have some control issues, eh http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Just remember, you teach by example. If you demonstrate your passion about food (regardless of the specific recipe in front of you), you're kids are more likely to see food as an exciting adventure. Cook what you love, and makes you happy, and the kids will most likely go along for the great ride. And if you end up with extremely picky kids... well, don't let them ruin your fun! They'll broaden their horizons eventually.

[Leonard]

I do find that I seem to make recipes only once. I have so many to try. I sometimes even forget making that dish until someone request it. I really should try to be more organized. The only dishes I repeat are my own recipes. Example, meatloaf, pasta & meat, etc.

[suel]

I was a stay-at-home mom and made dinner every night (with the exception of pizza night) and as anyone with kids knows, it gets harder and harder as they get older to prepare an interesting dinner and expect everyone to be around when its ready. When they went away to college, I kind of shut down as far as cooking was concerned and found that we ate out a lot or I made stir-fry or grilled frequently. Recently, with both of them out of college, we remodeled our kitchen and I have found a new enjoyment in cooking. Consequently, I fix a new recipe about 4 times a week. My husband would be happy with meat and potatoes every night but he puts up with my attempts at improving his culinary tastes. Repeats--absolutely--when its a good one!

[Ed]

Hi,

I really like to try new recipes, Sharon doesn't. When I started to cook around the house she used to say; "Why do you have to try new recipes all the time?" "Well," I would say, "Since I have started to cook they're all new to me, and I'm just looking for the ones we like."

And that's true, any recipe I tried was new to me, so I'm used to new recipes.

However, I do have 3 cookbooks that are in use, no I don't mean the cookbooks I've bought, I mean the ones I put together. 2 of the cookbooks are for the recipes I want to try but so far haven't had the time to do so, and one, (soon to be made into 2,) is for the recipes we've made and like and will make again.

So when I find a recipe I like it goes into the real cookbook. BTW the cookbooks I bought I use as a reference, if I find a recipe I like there it goes into Master Cook and I print it up for my real Cookbook. (Its just a 3 ring binder that will bend and stand up on the counter like a presentation book.)

Ed

[BosunsWife]

I believe that children learn from example. Last weekend we were making homemade pizza - DD (age two in two months) was right there beside me trying to roll out the pizza dough. She stands on her little stool and loves to try and "help mommy cook".

My own mother wasn't real imaginative with food (moreso because of tight funds when I was a kid) when we were growing up, but is now a very imaginative cook. I don't know if I learned my love of cooking from her or not, but she always encouraged me to help her out or helped me make cookies and other things. I didn't actually learn how to cook real food until I was in high school. Now as an adult, I take loads of cooking lessons and read cookbooks for enjoyment.

[CHRIST1NE]

Ed, my system is pretty much yours except that in my 3-ring notebook the background is colored paper for the ones I want to try and white paper for a tried & true. That way, if I'm taking my notebook to work to plan menus during lunch, I only have to cart one notebook with me. And yes, EVERYTHING goes into Mastercook. I love the scaling feature. My husband and I don't mind a night ot two of leftovers, but not any more than that of the same dish.

Weekends is my time to play & experiment with new recipes. I will typically try 3-5 (counting sides and deserts). As for making things twice - definately. It's very comforting and actually relaxing to me to know that I have a delicious dinner planned to make after a long day at work. Additionally, after a long day, and I am STARVING, dinner is not where I want any surprises http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif