At the beginning of 2020, I created a mini challenge for myself.
The challenge is to make one new recipe (at least one) every week, which would be approximately four new recipes per month.
These new recipes could be new creations of my own or recipes from cookbooks/online blogs that I’ve been wanting to try forever.
The reason I created this challenge for myself was because it seemed like fun and it sparked joy within me. I love food and I love creating new recipes, so I thought this challenge would also give me that extra nudge that I needed to get into the kitchen and create more than I had been. Truthfully, I had been in somewhat of a “food rut” and making extremely basic meals. Think: ground beef, sautéed vegetables, and roasted sweet potatoes. There is nothing wrong with a meal like that, but I thought my tastebuds deserved something a little more special at least once per week, so the challenge began January 1st, 2020!
To keep you in the loop, I decided I would share the recipes I tried or created throughout the month at the beginning of the following month.
You can see what I made in January here.
Throughout February, I made seven different recipes and found myself with a new obsession: I fell in love with ChihYu from I Heart Umami. One of my closest friends recommended I try one of her recipes and then I was hooked. I just couldn’t stop – all of her recipes have been phenomenal and I can’t wait to try even more of them!
February Recipe Round Up
Kimchi Beef from I Heart Umami
This is hands down one of my favourite recipes of all time. I actually made it multiple times throughout the month of February – it’s that good and super easy, too! You can find the recipe here.
Eggplant in Garlic Sauce from I Heart Umami
Typically, when I have eggplant on hand, I will make my Eggplant Lasagna, but I wanted to change things up this month and try a new recipe. When I discovered Chihyu had an eggplant recipe on her blog, I couldn’t help myself! It is so delicious and definitely a recipe I will be making again! I served this with ground beef and spaghetti squash and it was such a great combo! You can find the recipe here.
Mongolian Beef from I Heart Umami
When I ate this for the first time, I was flooded with childhood recipes of my favourite ginger beef dish from my favourite Chinese restaurant growing up. I also made this recipe multiple times throughout February and will definitely continue to make it. You can find the recipe here.
Eggplant Lasagna
I make this recipe often, but I finally typed it up to share on the blog with you! Like I said earlier, whenever I have eggplant on hand, this is my go to recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Butter & Chive Sauce from Dr. Becky Campbell
I currently have my Dad on a low-histamine protocol, so my parents have been following a lot of the recipes from Dr. Becky Campbell’s book, Histamine Reset Plan. I usually always do my brussels sprouts the exact same way, so it was fun to change things up a bit and add in new flavours like chives!
Dim Sum Bok Choy from I Heart Umami
I absolutely love bok choy and the dim sum sauce is perfect served over top these quickly blanched bok choy! This was another make again recipe from Chihyu. You can find the recipe here.
Quick Stir Fried Beef Liver
Throughout February, I finally realized my favourite type of liver is beef liver. I know most people will tell you chicken liver is most palatable, but there’s something about beef liver that I just love. Don’t get me wrong, though – I love liver of all types – but this is my favourite: Quick Stir Fried Beef Liver.
I hope these recipes inspire you to try new things and have some more fun in the kitchen! I’ll be back in April to share what I made throughout March.
