Domesticizing

Recently, I've been watching a lot of Food Network and reading a ton of design blogs. Once again, I'm beginning to feel despondent due to my lack of craftiness.

Taking up scrapbooking helped a lot and provided and outlet for creativity. But, the more I continue to read blogs such as sfgirlbybayand watch Giada at Home, the more I want to create bigger and better things. Though, when I take on a new project for the first time, I quickly become overwhelmed and anxious. I wig out. Big time. Then, I'm left feeling even more discouraged and inept than before.

So, instead of trying to tackle everything all at once, I've decided to take a different step toward becoming more domestic. Once a week, I've decided to either cook or bake one new meal, snack, or dessert. I've already taken a stab at a couple things:

I attempted a chicken pot pie recipe that I gleaned from Quick Fix Meals. It turned out all right. Though, I used sage to season the ingredients, and I don't think I particularly like sage all that well. And, I think the filling could have been a bit creamier.

Yesterday, I tried another of Robin Miller's recipes: mac 'n' cheese. It was a total fail. I know what you're thinking, "Who messes up mac 'n' cheese?" Well, I did. For one, I put way too much dijon mustard in it. Also, I burned the parmesan cheese and bread crumb mixture that was supposed to go on top of the noodles to give it the just-came-out-of-the-oven, crunchy, baked effect. So i just tasted burned. Plus, it was super dry. I dunno what happened. I probably won't be making that again. Besides, I don't even like homemade mac 'n' cheese. I'm happy with the boxed crap from Kraft.

But my favorite recipe so far was from Giada. I made peach and Nutella filled crepes. The crepes were a bit too think and the peaches weren't quite ripe yet, but who cares when there's Nutella?! Of course, my husband said that I actually ruined the crepes by filling them with Nutella. I'm telling you, sometimes I don't even know who I married.

This Saturday is Lolli's birthday party. So, I'm actually taking a stab at a few different concoctions. I'll be assembling dessert sushi, baking a cake and rolling fondant, and I'll also be making an Asian noodle salad. This will be my first time making any of these things. I hope they turn out well or else Lolli is gonna have a pretty lame party.

What are some of your favorite quick and easy recipes?