I have a new challenge for you all :)

[Kiwismum]

Being the principal food provider in our house, and not liking cooking much, but do like to eat -I often need a kick in the butt to get me inspired to cook.

So I decided to give myself a challenge, and then I thought those of you here might like to join in.

Heres the challenge:

Everyday try to cook a KK recipe that you have never had before, then we can report back here and compare notes and get inspiration. It just needs to be a new recipe for you, so the rest of us might have all tried it, but the point is to break out of our boxes and be inspired while still losing the weight

I'll go first shall I Yesterday I made Meatballs and Penne Baked in a Vegetable Sauce. I got the recipe off the website. It is a little time consuming to make on account of having to pre cook the pasta, but can be made and assembled ready for baking,so could be easily a make ahead type of thing.

I really enjoyed it and so did my fussy eater daughter,I can see it going on our make again list.

For lunch I made the Beef Burger with Peppercorn Mustard Sauce. It was easy to make but I always find that there is a lot of sauce in these recipes, however I did manage to get it all on.

So how was it, well it was a burger with a mustardy dressing. Very nice but not stand out. Would I make it again? Dunno, I would certainly make burgers again, and I have nproblem eating it again, but I am not really a put lots of dressing on the salad kinda gal, so maybe not. Think I would rather just put the mustard on the bun and leave out the dressing.

[Yvonne]

Although I havent tried any KK recipes for a while one that comes to mind was the chicken, cashew and pineapple stir fry we had a few weeks ago.  Its in the Middle aged spread diet book.  I did replace the peppers with frozen stir veg and even though i reduced the chilli it was still a little hot for me..but a easy dish and one I will try a third time..shame I found the cashews sitting in the pantry after we had finished the meal!

[Kiwismum]

It sounds nice Yvonne, One I will try one day

Yesterday I made the - Basil Gnocchi tossed with Mushrooms, Sun-dried
Tomatoes and Baby Spinach Leaves.

The recipe is on the website, in fact it was the video recipe recently. Gnocchi is one of those things that I have lots of recipes for, but have never made it or even eaten it before. Based on yesterdays efforts, well it wasn't awful but we all agreed not to put it on the make again list.

Will have to aim for something extra nice for today.

[Yvonne]

I am not sure that recipe would go down well with my lot either..husband isnt a big fan of basil..but he likes to grow it near the tomatoes.
My new recipe for today is the lemon dressing to go with the chicken and couscous salad..I shall be having it with tuna and salad for lunch...have tasted it and think it will go well with the blander fish or chicken...
Any one else trying something different or new?

[Kiwismum]

We are having the Glazed BBQ Pork steaks and I am expecting them to be a hit in our house. Got the recipe off the website and haven't been able to find it in any of my books.

It was really easy to make and I now have the pork marinating in the glaze, might even get hubby to cook them on the barbie if the wind drops a bit.

At least it isn't raining

[Yvonne]

Sounds like a meal my guys would eat so have printed it off...this is my main complaint..having to go through the books to find if or not the recipe is there..I find it annoying to print off a recipe then find I already have it!  Just a wee gripe

Anyone else tried a kk recipe this weekend?  I am always looking for a bscuit or appropiate slice I can make..the ones i have tried so far havent always turned out the best...am going to retry the ginger crunch in  smaller tin...

No rain here either..just back from a good long walk...

[Kiwismum]

There is a banana loaf that is just to die for, on the website I think. But watch out it is hard tostop at just one piece.

I agree about the recipes it would be good if they said which book(if any) we could find them. I don't have all the books, but I do have four of them so that is a fair number.

I am working really hard at trying recipes out of the box, most of the ones I have tried have been really good, and a hit with the fussy ones here as well so I am not discouraged when I strike one or two that don't go down so well.

They are in the kitchen baking cookies with smarties on top and I will be expected to try them later Not my favourite but sometimes we have to do what we have to do.

[Yvonne]

That would be the banana loaf with crumble topping..it does look nice..if I am going to be honest the only way I can get better control of my eating is to do no baking, buy plain biscuits that have less appeal for me but give the family something to nibble on...if they dont like them then they arent hungry   cannot wait for summer berries, salads, ....
I think there is only five cook books in total?  The ones I use most are the MASD book and the two with the ring binder effect at the spine..sadly one of mine is rather battered not due to over use but a teething puppy....

[Kiwismum]

Well I was right and the BBq pork was a hit and has been requested to go on the make again list.

I must admit I haven't been doing much baking, I suspect that that is why the fussies decided to do some.

Any way have to decide what new recipe to make for tomorrow

[Yvonne]

Pot roast in the crock pot for me so no kk recipes tomorrow...other than the dressing I made today for tomorrows lunch...
I might try your pork recipe using drumsticks....

[Kiwismum]

You know it doesn't have to be a main meal, just a new recipe that you haven't made before, so your dressing will work.

[Yvonne]

Okay challenge accepted ..along with a slice of beef I will have the broccoli potato mash  (plus other veg) I just noticed in one of the books..daughter isnt that fond of potato and wont eat broccoli so there will be a gap on her plate..fussy eaters who would have them!
Will make the apple and date cake later in the week when I have the oven on..Tuesdays challenge?  dont know..couldnt see any recipes using left over beef....  
What have you decided on for tomorrow KM?  Any one else tried something new this weekend?

[Kiwismum]

I am thinking of making the Herbed Vegetable Lasagne for today. It says at the top of the page that it was once voted most popular recipe in the classes. I have never been to a class and have never had it, so a new recipe for me.

I got the recipe off the website and it doesn't seem to be in any of my books. I will let you know if I change my mind.

The potato brocolli sounds nice,- which book? Let us know how it turns out.

You could make a curry or something with the left over beef, there are a few in the books and it shouldn't matter that the meat is already cooked. Or if it is a warm day just have cold meat and salad type of meal.

We look like we are actually going to have a nice day again today , That would be three in a row, must be a record.

[Yvonne]

Page 134 KK All Seasons cookbook for the broccoli potato mash..but I think I will cook the veg separate, mashed potato, steamed broccoli....

For tomorrows left over beef I am thinking of cubing it and reheating in the Fruity Curry Sauce in the KK Diet cookbook, page 125...

Printed off a few recipes this morning and noticed the Lamb and Pasta baked in Rich Tomato Sauce with cheesy crust...this one my guys might eat..husband might not eat lasagna but a little macaroni should be okay...

And we have had no rain today either!!!!  Long may it continue.

[Kiwismum]

I noticed that recipe too and I am pretty sure the fussies here will like it, so it could well be on the list soon.

I knew I had seen that potato brocolli recipe somewhere, thank for that. Let us know how it turns out, I might make it one day too.