the present that keeps on giving

This past Christmas I found The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook under the tree, after quite a few not-so-subtle hints. Well, unless you consider leaving one's Amazon wishlist up on the computer for the first three weeks of December, followed by a daily chorus of "Honey-did-you-order-my-book-yet" subtle.

I'm a straight-up nerd, especially when it comes to food, so anything from America's Test Kitchen is right up by alley. I DVR their shows on a regular basis, scour library discard sales for old copies of Cook's Illustrated, and read their methodology-laden recipes more intently than a trashy novella. Love me some ATK. The Family Cookbook recipes are mostly absent of ATK's usual emphasis on process and research. Instead, this book is filled with amazingly delicious takes on basic family-friendly fare. Hardcore foodies will hate this book, but we LOVE it.

To date I've made 21 recipes from this cookbook and have tasted quite a few winners. I will write in more detail about my experiences in the future. For now, though, let me just list a few of my favorites:

• Pancakes

• Wheat sandwich bread

• Creamy stovetop macaroni and cheese

Ooh, these sound so gourmet, right? Haha!
Okay, this one sounds a little bit more, um, special:

• Honey-glazed carrots with lemon and thyme

Really, these recipes are so good that my husband has declared "the red cookbook" to be one of the best presents of all-time. And I'm pretty sure I have another ATK cookbook in my Christmas future, no hints needed.

about me

I'm a mama of three, ages 5, 4, and 2, who is hoping to use this blog as a way to encourage myself to contemplate my priorities in life. I wear a golden ichthus (aka Jesus fish) on my necklace daily without question; unfortunately, I wear it too many days without much thought as to what (and more importantly, Who) it represents.

I'm working on being more faithful about reading my Bible, about going to church, about respecting my husband, and loving my children as I should. Despite my daily struggles, I know deep down that my ichthus is **more than a fish**. It serves as a reminder of my true Savior, my reason for living, my be all and end all.