Chouquettes
<img src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ff267aee13675281094a709/bbaaa96e-c045-4fdd-9a89-f0a91d1d2d20/Chouquettes+1.png?format=2500w” alt="Chouquettes"
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<br><br><b>Book:</b> <i>French Pastry Made Simple</i> by Molly Wilkinson<br><br>
<b>Chapter:</b> Pâte À Choux: The Multipurpose Dough! <br><br>
<b>Overall Score:</b> 8/12 <br><br>
<b>Recommended?</b> I’ve been watching people make choux pastry on TV for years, from British Bakeoff to Kids Baking Championship. Anytime I have seen a kid baker making it, I’ve kicked myself for being intimidated. Still, “make choux pastry” was an unfinished square on my 2025 bingo card. Even though I never worked up the nerve in 365 days of 2025, I went ahead and placed it in my 2026 bingo card. And, today, I did it! And, once again, it was way easier than I built it up to be in my head! I definitely made it as easy on myself as possible by selecting the chouquettes. How so? <br>
Arancini
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<br><br> <b>Book:</b> <i>Magnolia Table Volume 2</i> by Joanna Gaines<br><br>
<b>Chapter:</b> Appetizers & Starters<br><br>
<b>Overall Score:</b> 8/12<br><br>
<b>Recommended?</b> We love arancini! Who wouldn’t love little bites of fried risotto?! It’s a favorite out-to-dinner appetizer and brings back many fun memories of The Majestic steakhouse in downtown Kansas City. We used to order it every time we were there. I feel nostalgic thinking about sharing a plate of these while enjoying the live jazz! When G and I watched Joanna make <i>these</i> arancini on her cooking show a few years ago, we immediately put them on our must-try list. And there they stayed; the only thing holding us back was our fear of frying. Well, we conquered that fear this week! I think it was well worth the fried-food smell that lingered in our kitchen for a few hours. If you’re interested in trying some frying, this would be a great recipe to check out! <br>
“Special” Pot Pie
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<b>Book:</b> <i>My Vermont Table</i> by Gesine Bullock-Prado<br><br> <b>Chapter:</b> Stick Season <br><br> <b>Overall Score:</b> 13/12 (admittedly, I gave it a few bonus points) <br><br> <b>Recommended?</b> Technically (shh), this recipe is titled Spooky Pot Pie, but I just had to give it a more apt name for this post: Special Pot Pie. And special it is indeed. If you don’t mind a project, make this pot pie! Yes, you make the pie crust, filling, and even the thyme/lemon/cheddar cream sauce binder from scratch, but wow. I’ve actually made this pot pie five times. Every minute of time and ounce of heart I’ve put into making this pot pie has been so worth the effort when I’ve gotten to feast on it with people I love!
<br><br> What makes this recipe even more extra-special to me...
Cinnamon Raisin Bagels
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<br><br><b>Book:</b> <i>Baking Illustrated</i><br><br>
<b>Chapter:</b> Yeast Breads & Rolls<br><br>
<b>Overall Score:</b> 10/12 <br><br>
<b>Recommended?</b> I put “make bagels” on my 2025 bingo card (i.e., the poster board I have sitting in my office with 25 goals to complete in 2025). If you have similar aspirations, I think you should absolutely do it! I had so much fun making these bagels. My favorite part: they are prepped the night before, so all you have to do in the morning is boil and bake them. Minimal wait-time for breakfast = sign me up! <br>
Hand-Rolled Ravioli
alt="Chocolate-Toffee Meringue Cookies"
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<br><br><b>Book:</b> <i> America’s Test Kitchen 20th Anniversary TV Show Cookbook</i><br><br>
<b>Chapter:</b> Pasta<br><br>
<b>Overall Score:</b> 9/12<br><br>
<b>Recommended?</b> It depends! If you like making ravioli for a quick dinner, this isn’t for you! If making homemade pasta interests you, then I 100% recommend this recipe! Despite giving it a Process score of 1 - Question Your Sanity, I’ve made it three times in six months. It’s that special!<br><br>
Chocolate-Toffee Meringue Cookies
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<br><br><b>Book: </b> <i>My Vermont Table </i> by Gesine Bullock-Prado <br><br>
<b>Chapter:</b> Winter<br><br>
<b>Overall Score:</b> 9/12<br><br>
<b>Recommended?</b> I’ve seen a lot of recipes touted as “brownie” cookies, but none of them quite capture that quintessential crackly brownie crust the way these do. These cookies <i>literally</i> shine! Don’t worry about the fact that they’re from the Winter chapter. Make them in any (every!) season. When your heart can’t decide whether you want a cookie or a brownie, get the best of both worlds by making these. <br>
Potato Gnocchi
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<br><br><b>Book:</b> <i>The Tucci Cookbook</i> by Stanley Tucci with Joan and Stan Tucci, Gianni Scappin, and Mimi Taft<br><br>
<b>Chapter:</b> Pasta<br><br>
<b>Overall Score:</b> 9/12<br><br>
<b>Recommended?</b> This one comes recommended by Chef G himself! <i>The Tucci Cookbook</i> is actually his book. You may have caught a glimpse of these in the leftover report from the last post, which featured that peach sauce I was (am) so in love with. Here, we tossed them in a fun pesto. Check out the rest of the post for Garrett’s tips. His most important message to you: <b>“I <i>gnocchi</i> you can do it!”</b><br>
Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Peach Sauce
alt="Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder with Peach Sauce"
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<br><b>Book:</b> America's Test Kitchen Cooking School Cookbook<br><br>
<b>Chapter:</b> How to Cook Meat<br><br>
<b>Overall Score:</b> 10/12<br><br>
<b>Recommended?</b> Wow - yes! Make this for a dinner party or any celebration. It takes a while, but it is relatively hands-off. And the peach sauce? I’d recommend that sauce even if you don’t make the pork. Check out the leftover report for an idea + sneak peek at the next recipe in the project!<br>
Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
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<br><b>Book:</b> Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines<br><br>
<b>Chapter:</b> Soups & Salads<br><br>
<b>Overall Score:</b> 8/12<br><br>
<b>Recommended?</b> Yes! This would be great as a weekend meal or meal prep option for lunches. Seasonally, it fits for fall, winter, and spring. I can’t say I will be following Joanna’s lead by making this annually for New Year’s Eve, though!<br>
Cherry Icebox Ribbons
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<br><b>Book:</b> America's Test Kitchen The Perfect Cookie <br><br>
<b>Chapter:</b> Slice & Bake Sweets <br><br>
<b>Overall Score:</b> 8/12 <br><br>
<b>Recommended?</b> Yes! I have skimmed this chapter without noticing this recipe many times, but I’m so glad it caught my eye now! These would be great to make for a party or as a gift for a friend. <br>