Chicken Satay

Prep Time: 26 minutes
Marinade Time: 30+ minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

Grade: A+

Make Again: Yes

Recipe Source: Cook's Illustrated (Feb 2005)

The recipe says that you shouldn't marinade for more then 1 hour, but I left marinade on for about 8 hours and all was okay as far as I could tell. This dish was a big hit, although I had way too much peanut sauce, so could make a smaller batch next time.

Sugar Cookies

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Decorating: 30 minutes

Grade: A

Make Again: Yes

Recipe Source: Everyday Food (January 2003)

These are super easy and taste very good if cooked correctly. The hardest thing is to roll dough out to even thickness so cookies cook at same rate.

Peanut Butter Bars

Prep Time: 18 minutes (including frosting)
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes

Grade: A-

Make Again: Yes

If you like peanut butter and chocolate this is a good an easy recipe. I think I prefer the peanut butter surprise cookies for these flavors though. These are just easier to make.

Oatmeal Cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Grade: A+

Make Again: Yes



This recipe is from Cook's Illustrated Best Light Recipe. Of all the recipes I've tried (and that is most of them) from the book, this is my favorite. It is easy and these are delicious. I did modify to replace 1/2 c. raisins with an addiitonal 1/2 cup of oatmeal, and it works great. I don't know (or care really) if these are truly "light", but they are great. The taste is quite rich and they end up tasting almost like they have butterscotch chips in them.

Outrageous Chocolate Cookies

Prep Time: 18 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes

Grade: A

Make Again: Yes

Recipe Source: Everyday Food (September 2003)

These are delicious and easy. A definite keeper recipe.

Southern Style Green Beans with Bacon

Prep Time: 22 minutes
Cook Time: 18-22 minutes

Grade: B

Make Again: Maybe

Recipe Source: Cook's Country (June 2004)

This was fine, but not my favorite green bean recipe. And since it isn't quick, I'm not sure I would go for this one again.

Turkey Burger

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

Grade: A-

Make Again: Yes

Recipe Source: Everyday Food (June 2006)

This is a decent turkey burger, and a quick recipe. I might prefer a little less mustard in it next time.

Zucchini Casserole with Feta, Lemon and Oregano

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes

Grade: A

Make Again: Yes

Recipe Source: Cook's Country (February 2005)

While I was making this, I thought, this is probably more trouble than it is worth, because it took a little bit longer than I expected. However, I changed my mind once I tasted this. The flavors were excellent, and this is a great new recipe to help me use up my zucchini. I did modify just slightly, by using half the olive oil and twice the amount of feta cheese.

It was quite soupy when done, and the broth was very flavorful. I will make some bulgar or couscous next time to serve with to soak up some of the juice.

Sichuan Green Beans

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Grade: B+

Make Again: Maybe

Recipe Source: Cook's Illustrated (January 2007)

I didn't love this as much as I thought I would. However, the leftover flavors tasted better to me, so I may try to make this again. It was just a little bit more work than I was expecting, I think.

Corn Fritters

Prep Time: 18 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes

Grade: A-

Make Again: Maybe

Recipe Source: The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook

I guess I didn't let my oil heat enough, because it took longer than 1-2 minutes per side to brown. The ones at the end were better, and tasted great. I don't fry food too often, so not sure how often I will make these, but it was a fun way to use fresh corn. I will make sure to start oil heating earlier next time.

The recipe called for a shallot, which I did not have. Instead of using regular onion, I substituted regular table salt for Shallot salt (from Penzey's) which I think worked nicely.
Recipe Source: Cook's Country (August 2005)