Why Bother? Challenge 2012

There are some things that you think, "Why bother making this, when I can get it from the store?"  Like, why would I make my own sausage when it comes in all these delicious flavors in the meat case?  Or, why bother making my own crackers when Ritz makes one fine butter cracker?  It's these questions that I plan to answer.  Is it worth making your own?

Using all of your suggestions, the 2012 calendar has been prepared and the challenge is ready.  The Wilde Kitchen presents...

Why Bother? Challenge 2012

January 12 - Chicken Stock & Vegetable Stock

January 26 - Soft Pretzels

February 11 - Fondant

February 23 - Flavored Bagels

March 8 - Fat-Free Yogurt & Greek Yogurt

March 22 - Buffalo Sauce

April 12 - Potato Chips (baked & fried)  This challenge beat me & I'm still working out the recipes!

April 19 - Salad dressing (creamy & vinaigrette)

May 3 - Hamburger & Hot Dog Buns

May 24 -  Ketchup & Mustard

May 31 - Pickles

June 14 - Ricotta Cheese

June 28 - Gnocchi

July 12 - Canned Jam  (strawberry-lemon & ginger-pear)

July 27 - Corn Tortillas & Flour Tortillas

August 9 - Mozzarella Cheese

August 23 - Sandwich Bread (Whole Wheat & Pesto Swirled White Bread)

September 6 - Thai Chili Sauce & Coconut Milk

September 20 - Homemade Sodas (Strawberry Cream Soda & Raspberry-Lime Rickey)

October 4 - Pasta (Sun-dried Tomato Ravioli and Basil Cream Sauce)

October 18 - Almond Milk

November 1 - Breakfast sausage  Cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy!

November 15 - Nut Butters

Bronchitis Struck the Wilde Household!  The following challenges have been pushed into the new year!

January 3 - Granola Bars (Granola Bar Muffins & No-bake, Chewy Granola Bars)

January 17 - Crackers  (Thin Wheat Crackers & Ginger-Curry Crackers)

January 31 - Flavored Soft Cheeses (Honey-Cinnamon Cream Cheese & Sun-dried tomato-Basil Cream Cheese)

Restaurant Wars Challenge 2013

Restaurant Wars!

We all love going out to dinner, but there is nothing like a homemade meal.  Apparently we just can't be satisfied.  But what if you could replicate your favorite restaurant experience in your own home?

Eating at home, you save money, time and calories.  So maybe you want to recreate the whole experience, from bread basket to dessert.  Or perhaps you just can't get enough of that one dish from your favorite place.  This year is about making your dining room the most popular place to get a Friday night reservation.

Starting in February, twice a month I'll bring you a new popular restaurant, straight from my kitchen.  Boyfriend and I will do due diligence and eat at each restaurant, to be sure we have an understanding of the entire restaurant experience.

Here's to another delicious year!

February 14 - Chipotle

February 28 - Olive Garden

March 14 - Red Lobster

April 18 - California Pizza Kitchen (Rosemary Chicken & Potato Pizza)

May 2 - Cheesecake Factory (Raspberry White chocolate mini cheesecakes)

Due to my unexpected loss of employment, I've become a bit distracted from this challenge!  Some restaurants have been shifted around, some removed.  Thanks for your patience!!!

July 12 - Dairy Queen (Cherry Magic Shell)

July 25 - IHOP (Stuffed French Toast with Peach Compote)

August 1 - Swiss Chalet

August 15 - Red Mango  (Pumpkin Spice Frozen Yogurt)

August 29 - Panera (Mac 'n' Cheese & Fall Harvest Turkey Salad)

September 19 - Auntie Annies  (Cinnamon Raisin Soft Pretzel & Pretzel Bites)

Candy Collection

Thanks for coming along on Candy Challenge 2011!!!  I can't believe what a year it has been and how much sugar, corn syrup and chocolate I have gone through!  While the year is over, my candy-making adventure has only begun.  This year has really taught me that you can make anything yourself, you don't have to resort to buying it from the store.  I have several requests from you all to complete and a new candy cookbook to delve into, so look forward to new candy recipes in the new year.  Haven't tried making candy yourself?  Give it a go this year, it's totally worth it.

Sponge Candy FAQ

If you want to make your own candy, the following tools with come in handy!

1a. Candy Thermometer (makes boiling sugar a lot easier)
1b. Digital Candy Thermometer (My new favorite!)

2. Heavy pot with tall sides

3a. Parchment paper
3b. Silpats

4. Pastry scraper

5. Cookie sheets

6. Candy molds (they are super cheap, between $2-3 a piece!)

7. Plastic spatulas

8. Stand mixer or Hand mixer (you'll develop some mean biceps using a hand mixer!)
9. Gloves (you can get these at Michaels or other craft store)
10. Candy dipping tools