I love reading Sherry's IMK posts and everyone that links to it. It's been quite a while since I've done one and I decided this year I will make more of an effort. It's a fun way to see what is going on in kitchens all over the world and share what's happening in my kitchen.
I also decided this year I would make 26 new to me recipes in 2026 and the first one did not disappoint. You can read about it here. Culinary Adventures with Lori: 26 New to me Recipes for 2026 No. 1 Texas Cowboy Chicken I've actually made it twice this month, it is that good.
January wasn't exactly an exciting month in my kitchen, but I did cook and we did eat. It's been an unusually cold and snowy month for us here, so we've been eating a lot of comfort food, soups, stews and chili. Stuffed shells is one of my favorite comfort meals and this one did not disappoint. Paired with a salad it makes an amazing meal on a cold night.
Another favorite is chicken and white bean soup. This soup just warms your soul. Even though I do love winter and the long nights, I will be happy to see a bit more light later in the day so my photos don't come out so dark. 😀
New in my kitchen was this popcorn. I usually make popcorn but decided to give this a try since the ingredient list is pretty clean. It's a great snack.
A friend of mine gifted me a couple of bottles of her honey. I so wish I had time to start a beehive and collect my own honey because it's always been something I've wanted to do. That isn't going to happen until after I retire so I'm thankful for a number of friends that do have hives.
I also stocked up on chocolate for some candy making I want to do in February. Hopefully it all turns out wonderful, and I'll share with you next time. Ghirardelli really is a delicious chocolate. I've been using their 100% Dutch process cocoa powder in baking for years, so I've been wanting to try these.
Another book fell in my cart even though I keep saying I won't get anymore. I am week though. It is on top of the to read pile as soon as I finish what I'm reading now. It sounds like a great read, and I want to dig in before Winter is over.
Thank you, Sherry, for hosting every month. I hope February is a good month for everyone!
sherrys pickings: In My Kitchen - February 2026
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I just looked up that book and they have it on Audible so I'll be listening to it on my walks as soon as I finish the current book. I think a physical book is probably better but hearing it narrated sounds fine too!
ReplyDeleteI haven't started it yet but I think you'll enjoy it also. I can't wait to read it. I really need to get in to Audible to listen to books, but I really do enjoy an actual book. I could probably listen to a lot more though so it is something to think about.
DeleteEverything sounds delicious. I'm going to go check out that Texas cowboy chicken. That sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you. The chicken recipe is a good one. We really liked it.
DeleteIt all sounds good! I like to use Ghirardelli chocolate too.
ReplyDeleteI laughed about the book falling into your cart. That happens to me sometimes too.
Thank you. Isn't Ghirardelli the best? Things fall in my cart is my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
DeleteI've seen cowboy chicken recipes but never looked. Now I will. I love stuffed shells! Now I need to use a gallon of milk to make ricotta because I want to make and eat shells!
ReplyDeleteWe really enjoyed the chicken. Stuffed shells are just a wonderful comfort food.
DeleteI'm a huge fan of Ghirardelli chocolate. I often use it while food pairing.
ReplyDeleteGhirardelli is a really good chocolate.
DeleteThat cheesy stuffed shells look super duper delicious! Can't remember when I last had some popcorn...it must have been over a few decades...
ReplyDeleteI usually make popcorn but wanted to try this one out and it did not disappoint.
DeleteGhirardelli chocolate is definitely wonderful, and I would just eat it right out of the package, never mind the recipe!
ReplyDeleteHave a good February… mae
It really is and I may have snuck a piece from the bag. Wishing you a wonderful February.
DeleteNow I need to check out the Cowboy chicken and the book. They both sound interesting
ReplyDeleteHave a great week! anne in the kitchen
I love her cookbooks and yes, the Cowboy chicken is a winner.
DeleteI hope you have a good week also!
Comfort foods just hit the spot on a winters day. A good bite of chocolate is always a nice bite!
ReplyDeleteWhen it is cold, I really do crave comfort food.
DeleteWould you believe I’ve never tried Dutch process cocoa? How would you say it’s different?
ReplyDeleteIt is a darker smoother chocolate in my opinion.
Delete'homemade' honey! I had some once and it was superior to the store-bought stuff indeed.
ReplyDeleteLuckily it is very easy to find around here because you are correct, the store bought is not very good.
DeleteOk. So, I will be over to visit and I would LOVE some of the cheesy stuffed shells, please. Have a cozy week, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThe stuffed shells really hit the spot on a very cold night.
Deletethanks so much for joining in Lori. We have a few beekeepers in our neighbourhood so are very lucky to be able to buy real honey. Thanks for using my logo too! Have a fab Feb! (FYI - Have added your post manually.)
ReplyDeletecheers
SHerry
Thank you for hosting Sherry. I always enjoy reading everyone's posts. Yes, we are lucky to have good local honey available.
DeleteI hope your February is a good month for you.
Oops, I see your blog post came thru! Oh well, it's there twice now on my IMK post :=)
ReplyDeleteNot sure how that happened.
DeleteI have such sweet memories of enjoying Ghiradelli chocolate when I was in San Francisco - it's so good! I hear you on the long nights - along with the cloudy days, they've really cramped my photo taking style! Bring on spring! Hope you have a delicious February.
ReplyDeleteGhirardelli is delicious. Yes, the one thing I don't like about winter and longer nights is not being able to take a decent shot of dinner. Enjoy your February!!
DeleteI have a friend who has beehives and his honey is wonderful. I've never thought of having my own hives but I do like local honey. We always have a stash of Ghiradelli chocolate- can't go wrong with it. Soup, pasta, popcorn, and chocolate have been some of our comfort food too. I'll look into the book- thanks and keep warm.
ReplyDeleteHi Judee. I've always been interested in having hives but it is quite a bit of work and not something I can take on right now. So, I am thankful to enjoy the fruits of others labor. Comfort food really hits the spot when the weather is cold and snowy.
DeleteYou are the first person I have ever heard say they love long nights! That Texas cowboy chicken sounds like it's a good comfort food for long nights anyway!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'd want it all year, but I do like the long nights in Winter. The Cowboy chicken is really good.
DeleteYum yum.. that looks so good. I do not like a long night.. looking forward to DST kicking in.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I do not like DST at all.
DeleteMy family loves my stuffed shells and I think I will make some!
ReplyDeleteIt is a really good meal for this time of year.
DeleteWe would love bees also! It is one way to get an Agriculture tax break on property here in Texas. Visiting form In My Kitchen...
ReplyDeleteI would love bees, but I do not have time while I am still working. Maybe someday. Thank you for stopping by.
Delete26 recipes in a year? That's quite the goal & I'm cheering you on! My husband is the chef in our house and though I can follow a recipe with success, that's definitely not my realm of creativity. I applaud those who occupy that realm.
ReplyDeleteThank you for cheering me on. I am getting ready to post #2 soon. Cooking is a very relaxing thing to me and I love doing it.
DeleteI'm a comfort food all the way in the winter person - nothing like winter for rugging up with a bowl of soup or a pasta bake, can never go beyond a pasta bake! I applaud you for the 26 challenge and wish you the best! I have also a similar goal to make something I've never made before once a month, and in January I made lamingtons. Have a great February!
ReplyDeleteYes. We like to eat seasonally and winter calls for comfort food. No, you can never go wrong with a good baked pasta. Good luck with your challenge. I have actually made lamingtons once before a number of years ago. I think it was a recipe from Recipe Tin Eats and they were delicious. Wishing you a wonderful February as well.
DeleteI read and enjoyed In Winter's Kitchen, so I hope you do as well. Good for you for vowing to make 26 new recipes for 2026. I hope you make it, and look forward to what you prepare. I'll be curious to see what you do with the chocolate. I bought a bag of the dark chocolate a while ago, and then forgot why.
ReplyDeleteI am going to start the book tomorrow and I'm sure I will enjoy it. I love trying new recipes and I definitely have a long list of ones I've been wanting to try so I think I will make it. I have two candies that I am going to be making in the next week or so and I will let you know how it goes.
DeleteIt's so nice to find you on Sherry's IMK Lori. How different your eating is to ours at the moment with your very cold Winters, and our very hot Summers, however regardless we eat good homecooked food. I'll try and follow you, although I can't see how to atm. You can subscribe to mine, only if you wish, and that will prompt me to look at your blog. So nice to know another blogspot blogger. Warm wishes, Pauline
ReplyDeleteHi, thank you for stopping by. Yes, it does seem odd when we are enjoying comfort food and trying to stay warm and so many of you are in the thick of summer and trying to survive the heat.
Deletebtw, Binx looks just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, he's pretty special.
DeleteWhat a great post, Lori. Really loved seeing your food. I have Lessor Evil kernels here. Back when the organic kernels were less money. We like them in the air popper. Chocolate looks good. Happy Playing!
ReplyDeleteI really do enjoy that popcorn too. I buy local popcorn kernels from the Amish. It isn't officially organic but in paperwork and name only. I hope you're doing well my friend.
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