365 Recipe Challenge: A Culinary Adventure
Growing up, the meals in my house were pretty predictable. I could easily count on one hand the number of dishes my mother made: meatloaf, cheeseburgers, pork chops with Shake n’ Bake, meatballs and mostaccioli, steak, and on rare occasions, ribs or lamb chops. These dishes were always paired with frozen corn or mixed vegetables and a starch—usually Kraft mac and cheese or powdered mashed potatoes. This isn’t a criticism of my mother at all; I have no idea if she loved cooking or just catered to my dad’s meat-and-potatoes preferences. Either way, it was what we ate, and I didn’t think much of it at the time.
Fast forward to college, when I was introduced to a world of new flavors by my Persian roommate. She exposed me to everything from basic stir fry to Persian, Greek, Indian, Chinese, and Thai dishes. I was all in, eager to try anything—except organ meats! The more I explored, the more I realized how vast and exciting the world of food really was. My friends and I even started an “Ethnic Food Club” to explore all the culinary offerings Chicago had, from Swiss fondue to Ethiopian and Filipino delights.
Then I met Tom, who shared my curiosity for food, but took it to the next level. He and a friend had once tried to perfect General Tso’s Chicken by blending multiple recipes together. This was a man who loved experimenting in the kitchen! Eventually, we started hosting friends, and I considered trying a new recipe. Tom encouraged me to go for it, saying, “If it sucks, we’ll just order pizza.” That phrase became my safety net, freeing me to experiment without fear of failure.
This fall, Tom suggested I try experimenting with healthier recipes. Most of my culinary experiments were indulgent, if not downright gluttonous! I decided to take his advice to heart and started hunting for a Mediterranean cookbook. While visiting family in Phoenix, we stumbled upon Changing Hands, an incredible independent bookstore. There, I found The Mediterranean Dish: Simply Dinner by Suzy Karadsheh. I’m picky about cookbooks, typically borrowing them from the library first, but this one felt different. The recipes are delicious, straightforward, and perfectly portioned. It has quickly become my go-to cookbook. I don’t even bother putting it back on the shelf!
That’s when Tom jokingly challenged me to try 365 new recipes in 2025. He knows how much I love streaks, lists, and challenges. We’re already a month into the year, and I’ve tried 15 recipes so far! It’s been such a fun challenge, and though 365 might be ambitious, it feels doable and exciting.
Here’s a peek at some of the recipes I’ve already tried:
- Mushroom Gözleme
- Whipped Ricotta with Roasted Garlic, Sweet Corn, and Honey
- Sheet-Pan Chicken Meatballs and Veggies
- Mint and Feta Turkey Burgers
- Spinach and Potato Frittata with Parmesan Cheese (I’ve made this multiple times—it’s that good!)
- Shrimp, Zucchini, and Bell Pepper Skillet with Ladolemono Sauce
- Tuesday Night Skillet Lasagna
- Grilled Pineapple, Mango, and Avocado Salad
- Turmeric, Ginger, and Lemon Chicken Soup (I even experimented with shrimp—but that didn’t work out so well!)
- One-Pan Chicken Drumsticks and Orzo
- Lemony Baby Potatoes
- Creamy Feta Dressing
- Greek Ladolemono Sauce
- Chunky Cucumber Tzatziki
- Blueberry Banana Pancakes
I also picked up the Blue Zones Cookbook, which I’m excited to dive into soon. If you’ve been following along, you know how much I love exploring global cuisines. This 365 recipe challenge feels like the perfect way to expand my culinary map and try new dishes from around the world…more pins to add to our Foodie Map.
Join the Culinary Adventure!
I’d love for you to join me on this delicious journey! Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, challenge yourself to try new recipes this year. The world of food is vast, and there’s so much to explore—so why not get started today? Find a new recipe that excites you, gather the ingredients, and start cooking. You never know—your next favorite dish might be just one recipe away. Then share it with me, so that I can try it, too!
