Top 10 Domestic Happenings of 2010

2010 has been a wonderful year in my every-growing domestic world. I have learned so many fun skills and expanded my horizons because of this blog. I figured I'd reflect on the year and highlight a few noteable happenings and favorite posts.

I started Project Domestication to learn, grow and enrich my life... and after reviewing my posts this year I can definately say that some improvement has been made and some fun has been had! So without saying any more, please enjoy my favorite domestic happenings of 2010.

These are in no particular order.)

1. Getting down and dirty with a raw whole chicken, and turning it into a lovely dinner. This is all thanks to me joining another baking group, French Fridays with Dorie.
Read the post: French Fridays with Dorie: Roast Chicken for Les Paresseux




2. Growing my first garden as an adult. There's nothing like starting tomatillos, corn and tomatoes from seeds then enjoying them on a warm summer night by the grill!




3. Joining a local CSA and loving delicious local and organic produce each week. Jacob's Cove tomatoes are the best on the planet! I didn't post near enough about what I made with my produce each week. I'll save that for 2011. I've got a killer roasted ratatouille recipe.




4. Hummus. I make this recipe way more than I ever blog or tweet about it. Plus I really love the Williams-Sonoma: Mastering Hors D'Oveuvres cookbook that it comes from.

5.  David Lebovitz's Chocolate Ice Cream (custard-style)
I honestly made this ice cream recipe more than 15 times this year. No joke. I don't even want to think about the amount of money I spent on Amano Chocolate to make it. If you make any ice cream this year... you must try this recipe. And you must buy David's book, The Perfect Scoop!




6. Supporting local restaurants, bakeries and companies.
I love my home state. I can't think of a better place for me right now. I've hit up my fair share of local bakeries and cupcakeries and Utah-owned companies that sell wonderful food products. Whether it's Lehi Roller Mill Flour, the Kouing Aman from Les Madeleines or a maple bar from Provo Bakery I love it all. And...of course, I'm trying new cupcakes all the time and blogging about them over at Utah Loves Cupcakes.


7. Networking with other bloggers through events and more. I co-hosted the Utah Food Blogger's Bake Sale and Cupcake Conference. I spoke at Startup Princess about branding your business and more. I was also able to meet two of my favorite bloggers (The Pioneer Woman and Bakerella) at their book signings. It is so fun to meet fellow bloggers.



8. Buying proper knifes. For my birthday, my husband bought me a Shun chef's knife and a gift certificate to a  knife skills class. I'm horrible for not blogging about this. But holy cow, this changed my prep life. I will never go back to less than great knife. (Note, picture is of my pairing knife, not chef's knife)
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9. Subscribing to Cook's Illustrated and making no less than 3 recipes from each issue. When we decided to subscribe to this magazine I had to promise myself that I would make it worth our while. So Adam and I make three recipes from each issue. They have been delicious. Our favorites have included beef stroganoff, week-night chicken pot pie, red pepper rice pilaf, banana bread and chewy brownies.


10. Continuing strong with Tuesdays with Dorie. Tuesdays with Dorie is what spring boarded me into a more intense focus of baking. It's also given me a long-term goal that is somewhat crazy, some what fattening and so fun. I would have never guessed five years ago that I would have committed myself to baking out of a cookbook every single week for nearly 4 years. I've gotten to the point where I know I won't stop because I have to complete this goal. Besides,  I'm more than halfway through ;). I joke that when I'm done, I will have some sort of degree in baking. Heck, four years oughta give me something. I will be sharing my favorite TWD recipes this next Tuesday since it's the 3 year anniversary.

10 Honorable Mentions:
Lemon Layer Cake & Lemon Curd
Dolce de Leche Duos
Visiting Sprinkles Cupckakes in California
Shirley J Wilted Spinach Salad
Lobster Rolls at Red's Eats
Provo Farmer's Market & Basil Ice Cream
Whole Wheat Fig & Date Bars
Burnt Sugar Ice Cream
Merry Christmas Eve & Our Travel Tree


I look forward to a wonderful year in 2011. I hope to stretch myself even further to grow. As well as achieve more balance by dividing my focus outside of the cooking and baking realm. I hope to do more decorating, home improvement, quilting, traveling and other domestic activities. But don't worry, this girl has a love of food and it ain't going nowhere.

What would you like to see on Project Domestication in 2011?

Happy New Year!