At the heart of this whole journey is finding those recipes that make my family and friends smile after a bite… or even better, that rare but special moment: “This is the best I’ve ever had.” As my mom says, “¡Música para mis oídos!” 🎶 That moment is the goal. Of course, I love every step along the way—but that kind of magic? That’s what I’m chasing ✨

But it’s not just about the showstoppers. I’m also always looking for the essentials—the recipes I can rely on, that become mine over time. Vale’s red velvet, Vale’s granola… even though I didn’t create them, they feel like mine. Like the hummus recipe that made me never want to buy hummus again. Or that almond milk 🥛, oat milk, or granola recipe that finally stuck.

But then there’s lemon pasta 🍋🍝. I’ve made so many versions, and even when I land on a great one, I keep testing more. Because what if that one is the one? The one that makes me stop searching.

These are the everyday recipes I’ve started to store—the ones I keep making on repeat 🔁:

• Almond Milk – Minimalist Baker 🥛

• Salted Brown Butter Crispy Treats – Smitten Kitchen 🍚🧈

• Blender Balsamic Vinaigrette – Food52 🥗

• Lemon Vinaigrette – Ina Garten 🍋

• Parmesan Risotto – Ina Garten 🧀🍚

• Granola – Grub Street 🥣

• Chicken, Leek & Rice Soup – Smitten Kitchen 🍗🥬🍚

• Basil Almond Pesto – Dan Pelosi 🌿🌰

• Chocolate Chip Cookies – Dan Pelosi 🍫

• Honey Garlic Soy Glazed Salmon – Sally’s Baking Addiction 🐟🍯🧄

• Tomato Butter Sauce – Marcella Hazan 🍅🧈

• Crème Brûlée – NYT Cooking 🍮

…and a lot more little treasures I’ve found along the way.

Some I just haven’t found yet—like the perfect nut butter recipe 🥜. Or others I’ve still been meaning to test, like my own chili crisp 🌶️. But that’s the fun of it. The journey continues 🛤️

Any essentials you think I should add to my list?

Recipes Made So Far This Year:

Goal: To try seven new recipes each week 🗓️, aiming for 365 this year!

Number of Recipes Made This Week: 11 ✅ (Week 19) + 14 ✅ (Week 20)

Number of New Recipes Tested as of 5/18: 289

Weeks Achieving Seven or More New Recipes: 20 out of 20

This Week’s Recipe Test Summary

Impress Someone🌟

Italian Chopped Salad – Love & Lemons 🥗🇮🇹 
Made this one with my mom and I can’t stop thinking about it. Possibly the most flavorful salad I’ve ever had. Lots of ingredients, but 100% worth it. Planning to make it again for friends this week.

Fleur de Sel Caramels – Barefoot Contessa: How Easy Is That? by Ina Garten 🍬
I made these with my little cousin and we fell in love with them. They were fun, surprisingly easy, and taste like they took way more effort than they actually did.

Chocolate Lava Cake for Two – NY Times Cooking by Yossy Arefi 🍫🔥 
Wow!! Last time I tried a lava cake, it flopped—but this one turned out perfectly. Great texture, easy instructions, and definitely a new go-to. Planning to make it again for friends.

Would Make Again 👍

Roasted Tomato Tart With Ricotta and Pesto – NY Times Cooking by Alexa Weibel 🍅🧀 
This felt like something you'd get at a restaurant—fancy and flavorful. Great as a side. Puff pastry always wins.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic – NY Times Cooking by Mark Bittman 🧄 
My cousin C may or may not have eaten the entire tray. Super simple, super good.

Pasta Alla Vodka – NY Times Cooking by Colu Henry 🍝🍅 
Quick, creamy, and satisfying. Vodka pasta never misses.

Lasagna al Pesto – Three Olives Branch 🍝🌿
A vegetarian favorite! My mom and I both loved it. Easy to prep and surprisingly delicious. Making it again for friends tomorrow.

Blackberry Lemon Yogurt Loaf Cake – Snackable Bakes by Jessie Sheehan 🍋🫐🍞 I’m in a full-blown blackberry phase—feels like they’re peaking right now. Honestly might prefer this blackberry-lemon combo over the usual blueberry-lemon.

Paletas de Fresas con Cream (Strawberries and Cream Ice Pops) – Fiestas: Tidbits, Margaritas & More by Marcela Valladolid 🍓🍦 
My popsicle obsession is strong, and with the heat creeping in, brace yourself for more. These brought me straight back to Sunday trips to Ensenada and our must-stop Michoacán paletería. My dad always let us get two. This one was my go-to—and I might have just found the OG recipe.

Homemade Salted Caramel Recipe – Sally’s Baking Addiction
A staple. Simple, essential, and perfect for topping other desserts.

Would Not Make Again 👎

These didn’t hit the mark for me, but recipe testing is super subjective. Some were just okay, some were good but not memorable, and a few I didn’t enjoy at all. Rather than breaking each one down, I’m just listing them here—consider it a personal note, not a critique.

Sheet-Pan Harissa Salmon With Potatoes and Citrus – NY Times Cooking by Colu Henry 🐟🍋 
Summer Garden Pasta – Barefoot Contessa at Home by Ina Garten 🍅🌽
Empanadas de Rajas (Poblano and Cream Cheese Empanadas) – Fiestas: Tidbits, Margaritas & More by Marcela Valladolid 🌶️🧀 
Artichoke Gouda Tart – Half Baked Harvest 🧀🥧 
Creamy Corn Pasta with Basil – NY Times Cooking by Melissa Clark 🌽🌿
Pressure Cooker Vietnamese Caramel Salmon – Dinner in an Instant by Melissa Clark 🍯 
Butter-Fried Rice (Com Chien) – Dac Biet by Nini Nguyen 🍚

Strawberry and Almond Smoothie – NY Times Cooking by Martha Rose Shulman 🍓🌰 
Red Velvet Loaf Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Glaze – Snackable Bakes by Jessie Sheehan 🍰
Drop Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles – Sally’s Baking Addiction 🍪
Zucchini Lemon Muffins – 600 Acres 🧁🍋 
Cinnamon Date Smoothie – NY Times Cooking by Sohla El-Waylly 🍌🌰 
Coconut Bundt Cake – Chef in Training 🥥🍰
Green Vitality Smoothie – Rise & Run: Recipes, Rituals, and Runs to Fuel Your Day or Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. 🥬🥒 
Chocolate Avocado Smoothie – Rise & Run: Recipes, Rituals, and Runs to Fuel Your Day or Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. 🥑🍫 

I’d love to hear your thoughts, suggestions, or any recipe requests you might have. Just respond directly to this email.

See you next week. Keep cooking! 👋 

Vale from ValeCooks