I've never been one to make a set of resolutions to kick off the New Year or a person that sets personal goals. This post is going to feel a bit “resolution-y” and goal-focused but let's just call it “hopes and dreams”, okay? Doesn't that sound like a more enjoyable way to go about incorporating something into your life? Welp…it does to me, and I'm sticking to that (or I will at least try!)
Food and wine are two of my favorite hobbies (sleep is a close third in case you were wondering.) And in 2019, I would like to develop myself a bit more as a foodie and an oenophile. Below are a few ways that I will be doing so.
Side Note – If you have additional suggestions or advice, please sound off in the comments below or email me at laurie@workplayandchardonnay.com. Thanks in advance!!!
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Making Use of my Cookbook “Library”
Look…I LOVE me some Barefoot Contessa. I will continue to read and utilize her cookbooks throughout the year (Winter Minestrone for your birthday will happen, Mom!) BUTTTT…look at the sampling of cookbooks I have below. I want to see how many recipes and cookbooks I can make hay (or pasta or soup) with throughout the year.
My hope is to make a minimum of 24 new recipes. My dream is to review 12 cookbooks.
Develop My Taste for Wine
Here's the deal… There are three methods I employ when I purchase bottles of wine for my home. They are either selected for me as part of my monthly Tim's Wine Market membership, I find the label cute or intriguing, or they are a repeat buy. There's nothing that is wrong with any of this per se, but I think I can refine my palate with some trial and error. What could go wrong with more (responsible) wine tasting?
My hope is to attend a minimum of three blind wine tastings (you hear me, Uber?) My dream is to be able to tell a Cabernet from a Pinot Noir on taste alone.
Cooking Classes and Demonstrations
As much as I enjoy a good cookbook, there is just something about a hands-on cooking class or sitting back to watch a professional chef work their magic. I always take away a new nugget of information or see a gadget that MUST come home with me (like the garlic press linked here that I saw a Stonewall Kitchen chef use). The best part of these classes? The eating, of course!
My hope is to take six classes. My dream is to start planning a cooking class tour in Tuscany!
Dining by the Dozen
The process of cooking and its results are fabulous. The downside to it is ALL of the clean-up that is required. Just ask Jared. He's almost always doing the dishes as I am typically the cook (and an ambitious one at that) in our household.
There are times when I don't want to cook and, quite frankly, he doesn't want to clean. So we do have a tendency to go out to dinner about once a week. We have our favorites that are frequented quite often – Wine Bar George! But we do like to try a new place whenever possible. I'm looking at you, Jaleo.
My hope is to try a dozen new places in the Orlando area. My dream is to sit at a Chef's Table.
I'm a Cheesy Girl
Do you remember when I took a cheese making class at Leu Gardens last year? If not, check out the post Curd Your Enthusiasm to learn more. This is the year that I am going to milk that class for all it was worth and make my own cheese. <—that pun was for you, Momica!
My hope is to make ricotta. My dream is to pull mozzarella in my own kitchen.
Taking a Crack at Crack Pie™
I'm a mover, a shaker, and a home baker. I've made cookies, brownies, and whoopie pies. But Crack Pie by Chef Christina Tosi of Milk Bar is a whole other pastry ball game. I've wanted to try it for years but have been a culinary chicken. It's allegedly addictive (thus the name!) and time-consuming.
From what I can gather, the recipe is going to take me a minimum of two days. It seems a little finicky, a bit complicated. I'm going to need really comfortable shoes, more cushioned floor pads in my kitchen, and a steely resolve. Wish me luck!
My hope is to make Crack Pie. My dream is to do so without dissolving into a puddle of tears.
I'm setting myself a reminder to read through this on December 31st to see how I fared with my 2019 Food & Wine Hopes and Dreams. What are yours for this year? Let me know in the comments!
Work Hard. Play Hard. Drink Chard.
Laurie
First, thanks for the milk and cheese pun. You know how much I love to groan. Second, let me know when you plan on making that crack pie because that would be something I don’t want to miss. I’d hop right on a plane, ride the train, catch a bus, or risk my life hitching just to get me a piece of that deliciousness. Also, I would be willing to taste a whole lot of wine too.
It sounds like you need to fly down and stay with us for a Crack Pie & Wine weekend? We can wear house britches, cook. and sample wines. How does that sound????
It sounds perfect!
Great post 🙂
Thank you! It’s going to be a delicious year (again). 🙂
No problem 🙂 check out my blog when you get the chance 😁
I love this list, so much! I definitely want to make better use of my cookbook library this year. I also printed out the Barefoot Contessa recipe that you shared recently – The chicken one. I’m so excited to try it.
Thank you for the list love, Laura Beth!!! I hope you enjoy the Barefoot Contessa recipe as we much as we did! I am now craving a crispy chicken salad!! Mmm…
I printed it out, and I think I put in the Thirty-One catch-all bin with the cookbooks. I think. I’ll find it!
Now I want to know which cookbooks you have in your cach-all. I am soooo nosey!!! 🙂
Two books from Rachael Ray, my friend Megan’s cookbook, and several Virginia and hospitality ones that were wedding gifts.
I have a few Rachael Ray cookbooks! Her old 30 Minute Meals show on Food Network got me into cooking nearly 20 years ago!!!
Yes! I think both of mine are 30 Minute Meals.
I wish I could cook better but alas, I hate being in the kitchen for long. I wish I liked wine too but I haven’t found one I enjoyed. However, I do love when people cook for me 😉 I love to eat!
And I love cooking for other people! You should pull up a stool to my kitchen island for a meal! 🙂
And I love cooking for people! You should pull up a stool to my kitchen island for a meal! 🙂
It ‘s always so nice to read your blog posts because 360 degrees can pass your passion and emotion to those who read you!
This comment made me hug the air. It just made me happy. Thank you!
Oh wow, your cookbook library is goals. I don’t even know where mine are I really need to be organised at this point in time.
Hahahah! I should have included a photo of the stacks I have on my floor with magazines strewn around them. There’s goals mixed with hot mess in my office!!! 🙂
I like that your goals are fun and not a have to like losing weight. The cooking classes would be something that I would enjoy.
Right?! Losing weight would be nice but I want to add a little more food and wine fun in my life without worrying (too much) about my weight.
Milk bar is amazing, also like the book collection you have there.
Have you been? Have you had Cereal Milk? Or Cereal Milk ice cream? To this day, I love buying cereal that changes the flavor and color of my milk.
It looks like you have some amazing plans this year for when it comes to food and drink. Your cookbook collection IS AMAZING!
Hi!!! I am really curious to see how many food and wine plans I can make in 2019! My cookbook collection keeps growing. A lot of have been gifts or people handing theirs down as they downsize. It’s so NICE!!!!! 🙂
Okay, firstly I have to say I LOVE the title of your blog! 🙂
And I have a similar goal to you – I have a great collection of cook books and they need to be read and cooked from more! I recognised some of the ones I have in your collection 🙂
Hi Alexandra!!!! Thank you for the blog title love!
I have so many cookbooks that have been collecting dust. Some haven’t even been used! I’m looking forward to trying new things! 😀
How fun. I’ve always wanted to go to a cooking class. It looks like so much fun and such a great way to learn. Thanks for sharing.
I am such a fan of cooking classes whether they are hands on or demonstrations. There is always something to be learned. I took a cheese-making class last year. I am determined to make ricotta in 2019. Determined!!!!
I went to NY just to get that crack pie n no regrets! Momofuku ramen was a treat too! But would rather learn to bake the pie 😍
Crack Pie just SOUNDS good because you know it has to be bad for you in just the right way! Okay…now I can’t wait to make the darn pie!!! 🙂
I’m not much of a drinker, so wine isn’t an option for me. I am; however, a foodie!
Yo ho, yo ho…it’s a foodie life for us! Being a foodie makes me darn happy!
Oh wow we have so many tings ion common, I love cheese, want to learn more about wine and I am in love with your cook book library.
Cheese and wine are two of my favorite things! I have made myself a little cheese plate while looking through my cookbooks. I am pretty sure I have cheese “fingerprints” on some of the pages. 🙂
Wow! And I thought I had a lot of cookbooks! I would suggest doing a meal planner for the week so you can make time to prepare one or two new recipes a week.
I use a service called PlateJoy on occasion to meal plan. It’s nice because the meals it generates will use a lot of the same ingredients. I wonder if I can use that methodology with my cookbooks. Hmm…
You have quite a collection of cookbooks, I envy you! I do love cooking as well, I find it very relaxing. Whilst my collection is quite small, the recipes in them are always fantastic. Great foodie resolutions you have for 2019!
I find cooking relaxing, too! There’s something hypnotic in chopping and gathering that I am really into. 🙂
I have my own library but I don’t have cook book library. You have Gordon Ramsay book. That is so cool.
The Gordon Ramsay book was actually handed down to me from a friend that was downsizing. I haven’t made any of the recipes yet. I need to change that!
After watching the 7 days out, I decided I need to try at least one fancy Michelin restaurant in 2019. And I need to learn more about wine before I go haha
Someone was telling me about that series that other day!!! I need to watch it. With a glass of wine. 😀
These look like some great goals. I did a cooking demonstration/lesson this summer and it was amazing. I would totally do more.
I can definitely help you become more of a foodie! Also jealous of your cookbook collection. I get a lot from the library to spark some ideas and only buy the ones I’m really interested in.
Hiiiiii!!!! Yay for the help!!!
My cookbook collection has been curated over quite some time. Some have been gifts. Some have been given by friends that are downsizing. Some have been found in used bookstores. I love my collection!!!
How i love your cook book selections, I find it quite difficult to find good cooks books these days. Nice article, thanks for sharing.