Corn Pudding

This is the first year that neither my partner nor I have been severely ill over Thanksgiving in 4 years (! an unexpected silver lining of having to stay away from other people I suppose) so I cooked a fancy dinner. I saw this recipe and got very excited to include it in our meal because I wanted corn and I'd had something like this before, but felt better about this recipe because it didn't use any boxed mixes. My partner was very skeptical because of the name, but because I made it he said he would try it. I assured him it was going to be more like bread than what he would typically think of as pudding.

I made it as written, didn't change a thing, and used the honey butter. I even had the same dish as the one the author photographed it in (and promptly broke while washing it after cooking this in it, sad face).

this year's feast. pies are just out of view :)

Verdict: We both loved it. It was served with ham, cheesy potatoes, steamed green beans, and kale and apple salad. I would love to make it again.

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RECIPE: Corn Pudding (Smitten Kitchen)

Dutch Apple Pie

I have been wanting to try my hand at a Dutch apple pie ever since a postdoc at my work (who is originally from the Netherlands) baked a very tasty one and brought it in to share for his birthday, and Thanksgiving at home with my partner seemed as good a time as any to try it out. (It's been really nice to just make whatever new and exciting things I want for holidays at home, instead of what needs to be made to please family members who have very specific tastes in their holiday dinner.) I made it exactly as written.

Verdict: I LOVED it. My partner is not really into pie but tried it because I made it (I will never get over how sweet that is) and he told me he genuinely enjoyed this, and he thinks it's because the crust is sweeter and more like a cookie than a traditional pie crust. It's kind of a lot of work, but not any more than a regular apple pie, and worth it. I would absolutely make this again.

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RECIPE: Dutch Apple Pie (Smitten Kitchen)

Cilantro Lime Rice

Chipotle is a go-to place for burritos when my partner and I don't feel like cooking. I decided to try making rice like theirs at home for a Mexican style meal.

Verdict: It's not *exactly* like Chipotle's, but it's tasty! I would definitely make it again.

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RECIPE: Chipotle Style Cilantro-Lime Rice (Epicurious)

Roasted Yams and Chickpeas with Yogurt

I saw this recipe scroll by on the Smitten Kitchen Instagram and noticed that I had everything to make it, so I decided to give it a try.

Verdict: It felt like sort of a lot of work with the sweet potatoes, and the honey burned a little bit, but it tasted really good. The balance of different flavors and textures was nice. I would consider making it again.

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RECIPE: Roasted Yams and Chickpeas with Yogurt (Smitten Kitchen)

Mushroom Marsala Pasta Bake

Something about this sounded really good to me when it scrolled by on the Smitten Kitchen Instagram, so I made a trip to the store to get the ingredients.

Verdict: I love it, and so does my partner! It's not difficult to make and is pretty simple and satisfying to make, with a healthy ratio of vegetables to other ingredients.

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RECIPE: Mushroom Marsala Pasta Bake (Smitten Kitchen)