We've made it through Q1 this year. Here's a recap of what has happened in ValeCooks so far:

I have made 122 new recipes since January 1st.

I shared my top 14 kitchen tools.🔪

I shared how to use my favorite recipe app, Paprika Recipe Manager, and recorded a couple of videos on YouTube.

So far, these are the top ten recipes I have made this year:

1. Almond Coconut Granola Bars 🌰🥥 from COOKIE + Kate

2. Ina Garten’s Vodka Sauce by Alexandra Stafford @ Alexandra’s Kitchen🍝

3. Date Bark from Feel Good Foodie  🍫

4. Baklava from Natasha’s Kitchen🍯

5. Chunky Shrimp Burgers with Avocado Aioli sauce from The Kitchen Whisper 🍔🍤

6. Sweet Potato Tea Cake with Meringue from Elisabeth Prueitt🍠

7. Garlic Bread from Food Network by Guy Fieri 🍞🧄

8. Best Southern Red Velvet Cake from divas CAN COOK🍰❤️

9. Basil Almond Pesto from Dan Pelosi aka GrossyPelosi 🌿

10. Blender Balsamic Vinaigrette from Food52🥗

And we are back to regular Friday newsletter next week.

Recipes Made So Far This Year:

Goal: To try 7 different recipes each week 🗓️, aiming for a total of 365 this year!

 Number of Recipes Made this Week: 8

Number of New Recipes Tested as of 4/7: 130

Weeks Achieving 7 or More New Recipes: 14 out of 14

This Week’s Recipe Test Summary

Impress Someone🌟

Weeknight Tagliatelle with Bolognese Sauce from America’s Test Kitchen 🍝
One of H's and my favorite restaurants in LA is UOVO. One summer, we went there every weekend. I always got their bolognese—this recipe is so similar to theirs. I was thrilled! I froze half of it, and I'm going to try it next week to see if it freezes well.

Ultimate Banana Bread from Smitten Kitchen 🍌
This is a classic banana bread recipe that can't fail! Even H, who doesn’t eat many desserts, loved it. I made two banana breads this week because my sister gave me like 10 super ripe bananas.

Would Make Again 👍

Best Carrot Cake from Grandbaby Cakes🥕 | Instagram Reel

This was my first time making a layered cake, and I was so proud of myself. I still need to work on those decorating skills. I made it for a family gathering, and everyone enjoyed it. I think I need to make it again because I might have left it in the oven a bit too long, and it wasn't so moist. I did add the crushed pineapple and walnuts, even though they were optional.

Would Not Make Again 👎

These recipes didn’t live up to expectations or just weren’t to my taste.

Vegetable Leek Risotto from scheckeats by Jeremy Scheck 🍚
This risotto followed the traditional method of adding broth little by little and stirring as it dries out, then repeating.

Pan-Banging Chocolate Chip Cookies from The Vanilla Bean Blog by Sarah Kieffer🍪

Caramelized Banana Bread from Breadsong: How Baking Changed Our Lives by Kitty and Al Tait🍌🍞
I added almond butter and chocolate chips and topped it with caramelized banana. The loaf has caramelized banana inside, but it turned out too mushy.

Chinese-American Beef and Broccoli with Oyster Sauce from serious eats by J. Kenji López-Alt 🥦
I made this for my older brother, but the ginger was just too overpowering.

Bloo Smoo by Molly Baz | Instagram Reel 🍹

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

See you next week. Keep cooking! 👋 

Vale from ValeCooks