January 4, 2012

My 2012 Culinary Bucket List

It’s January. Has been for a few days. I know I’m a bit late with this but, oh well, here goes anyway…

Every year I swear to myself I will post more often. I will get better at my photos. I’ll be a better blogger. These vague goals slip through my fingers like typos on a smartphone. Last year I promised, “I’m not going to let Life derail me again.” Hmmmm. That one’s still on the table.

Instead of chastising myself for the missteps, I’ve decided to look back at some of the things I’ve learned since starting this blog. The things that brought me a sense of accomplishment. The things I have carried forward into my culinary life on a regular basis. Baby step by baby step, I’ve reclaimed the kitchen. I now simmer my own chicken stock, whip up salad dressings from what’s hanging out in the fridge, churn unbelievably rich ice cream, and make a scratch version of rum cake that should be served with a breathalyzer. I’ve conquered my fear of pastry to the point where I am riffing on galettes like I knew what I was doing. Even better? I’m no longer ashamed to serve my chocolate truffles to guests in good lighting, and boast to anyone who will listen about the the red and white wine jellies in my pantry — made with my very own apple pectin. Hell, I’ve even served homemade eggnog at Christmas AND turned it into ice cream. Ho ho ho.

What’s on for 2012? Besides a wing and a prayer, I’ve set my sights on a few items. As you can see, my list is not very long or all that exotic. No item here is based on a dare or uses one-upmanship as the key ingredient. There will be no roast suckling pig, no homemade sausage or artisanal cheese. I will not be dabbling in molecular gastronomy or flambéing anything — at least not intentionally. This is just a list of things I want to make in the next year. Some are here because I can’t find a decent ready-made version. I want to tackle a few to save money (says the woman who spent $112 so she could make cinnamon ice cream). And others are listed for the best reason of all — Just Because.

Charmian’s Bucket List

(In no particular order, to be completed by December 31, 2012. Author reserves the right to revise on a whim.)

Palmiers (aka elephant ears, French hearts, butterflies, palm leaves, butterflies…)
Clotted cream
Pasta
Graham crackers
~~Granary bread~~ Many-Seed Bread
Sourdough bread
Preserved lemons (and then do something Moroccan with them)
~~Popovers~~ (They’re in the upcoming book, The Messy Baker!)
Hot and Sour Soup
Tacos shells
Onion Bhaji
Vegetable Pakoras
~~Profiteroles~~ (added Jan 4 thanks to Lisa MacColl) (These too are in my upcoming book, The Messy Baker!)
Turtle Ice Cream (added Jan 4 thanks to Robin)
Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms (added May 29, thanks to Family Garden Project)