So, today is my birthday! I don’t usually post on Saturdays but wanted to share about the new challenge I have created for myself. I’m not one of those people who’s super freaked out about turning 30–probably because I have 2 years to go, haha. And besides, Ben is older so he’ll turn 30 first. 🙂 I’m not freaking out because there’s still so much time, and so much I want to do! BTW, I love this post about making the most of your 20s. You should check it out!
Anyways, in honor of my birthday I wanted to share a culinary bucket list of sorts. 30 recipes I want to make [and blog about] before I turn 30! Number one on the list: replicate my wedding cupcakes! Just kidding, but that would be awesome. I’d love one today, but I guess the cake I do have is pretty awesome too! 🙂 Some of these recipes I have made before, but not consistently–or not well. Others are totally new and will be a challenge. Either way, this should be fun!
Without further ado, here’s the list! 🙂
- Apple fritters
- Assyrian Rice [family recipe]
- Bagels
- Banana pudding
- Biscotti
- Cake roll
- Candied citrus peel
- Chada [Assyrian filled flat bread–family recipe]
- Chicken Quesadillas [like my favorite local Mexican place, Casa Brava… description: shredded chicken and mexican cheese stuffed into a large flour tortilla and impeccably grilled]
- Crab Rangoon
- Crepes
- Croissants
- Diner-style fluffy pancakes
- Egg noodles
- Fried chicken
- Hot & Sour Soup
- Icebox cake
- Mints
- Mrs. Kennedy’s Lamb Curry
- Pad Kee Mow [description from My Thai Cafe, my favorite local Thai place: stir fried wide rice noodles with egg, tomatoes, broccoli, red & green bell peppers, garlic and Thai basil]
- Peppermint Meringue Cake with Chocolate Buttercream [recipe]
- Pizza dough
- Ranch dressing
- Ravioli
- Sandwich cookies
- Sausage from scratch
- St. Lucia Buns
- Summer rolls
- Truffles
- Whole wheat sandwich bread
I’ll make a page to update as I accomplish these culinary challenges, and if you have tried and true recipes you’d suggest, please pass them along! Have a lovely day! 🙂
The Pajama Chef 
Happy Birthday, Sarah! Good luck on your list; I love how it’s alphabetized. 🙂
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thank you, lesa! i’m a librarian…what can i say?!? 🙂
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Happy birthday Sarah
That is a wonderful list to work on, can’t wait to see your recipes for each item
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thanks, sawsan!
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So you have an Assyrian heritage? How neat! You come from the Bible-lands! lol! I love this idea and do have a recipe bucket list but never do anything on it because I haven’t given myself a deadline. Maybe I should do 40 by 40. That would give me more then 7 years! I think I could handle that. We have some in common, like a cake roll, croissants, crepes, and fried chicken. I feel kinda accomplished b/c I’ve done several on yours! But then again, you’ve probably made many things on mine like chocolate pudding and shepherd’s pie.
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yes, assyria like in the bible. though my family isn’t quite so violent. 🙂 my grandpa is 100% assyrian. his parents had an arranged marriage in the chicago area around 1920. they were both from the same village in iran, and their families had fled during WWI. it’s a pretty crazy story….and that’s just the abbreviated version.
yes, definitely do a 40 by 40! i’d love to see your list 🙂
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Happy Birthday!
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thank you!
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You inspired me and I now have a list of 39 things to make before I’m 40. Just need one more but I know it will come to me soon.
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yay!
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A pretty ambitious list! I’ve made (and posted on my blog) at least 3 things from your list: apple fritters (except I call them apple pancakes), ravioli (I purchased a $20 ravioli mold from Williams-Sonoma which produces perfectly shaped ravioli every time), and I am a specialist at crepes! I used to make crepes almost every week at some point.
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i’ll have to check out your recipes! i have made apple pancakes before, but what i really want to make are apple fritters more like doughnuts… like this recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/apple-fritters. thanks julia!
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Happy Birthday!! Those cupcakes have me drooling – it’s been forever since I’ve had a good cupcake! I have been perfecting a Ranch Dressing recipe and will post it soon. As for croissants, it’s hard to beat the proof and bake Trader Joes ones. 🙂 I look forward to reading about your culinary adventures!
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Thank you Michelle! 🙂
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