the Organized Life, The December Paint Bucket
Posted by the Painted Apron on November 30, 2012 · 4 Comments

The “Paint Bucket” is my bucket list of recipes that I want to try. I compile this list near the 1st of every month, browsing my Pinterest boards, looking at virtual recipe boxes I have on allrecipes.com, the Food network, and Ziplist. I also keep a master file of categorized recipes on my computer, that I have gotten from blogs, magazines, etc. I spend some time thinking about what’s on the upcoming monthly calendar and then I put together a bucket list of recipes to try or to go to for inspiration. It’s NOT a to do list, just an IDEA INSPIRATION page.
I had lots of fun with pumpkin in November, but it is officially OFF THE MENU until next fall. I think I over did pumpkin! So my thoughts for December are moving away from comfort foods, and leaning towards lighter, more upscale menu choices and party food…
But first, let me list the 8 things I did make from the November Paint Bucket
Pumpkin Cheese Ball [I didn’t get the pie crust leaves made though!], you can see photo by clicking on the name, but no recipe here, I just mixed grated white cheddar, Alouette cheese spread and chives and shaped it to look like a white pumpkin.
Tyler’s Ultimate Chicken Marco Polo turned into Twisted Marco Polo,
Bourbon Sliders with Caramelized Onions
Spaghetti Casserole turned into Spaghetti Cassoulet
Miniature Pumpkin Bundt cakes turned into Mini Pumpkins with Brown Sugar Glaze
My MONTHLY FAVORITE recipe was, Ta Daaaa…
I also made Walnut Vinaigrette, but you know what? I didn’t like it so I certainly don’t want to pass on something I didn’t LOVE. You have to be ready for some flops when you are in the kitchen, not everything will turn out. I am thrilled with the rest of the dishes though and they will go into the keeper file!
Here are my start point inspirations for December
Appetizers
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MEATBALL SLIDERS
ALABAMA OR CHRISTMAS SNACK MIX
MOZERELLA & PESTO POPPERS
DECEMBER SIPPER/CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL
WHITE PIZZA DIP with ROASTED GRAPE TOMATOES [this has been on my list for 3 months! Must Make!]
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Sides
UPSIDE DOWN POTATOES [from Nov]
.ROASTED PARMESAN SWEET POTATO
.PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM WELLINGTONS
.ARTICHOKE BREAD
.CROISSANT & PANETONE BREAD PUDDING
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.
.
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.Main
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MEXICAN LASAGNA
.HAM & CHEESE SLAB PIES
.SLOW COOKER MONGOLIAN BEEF
.SHRIMP & GRITS
.CHEESY CORN CHOWDER
.HAM & ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE
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Desserts & Miscellaneous
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RASPBERRY & WHITE CHOCOLATE MINI CUPCAKES
.GINGERBREAD CHEESECAKE BITES
.PARTY BARK STARS
.SHORTBREAD HOLIDAY CUBES
.HERB BUTTER MOLDS
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What are you making this month? Please leave me a comment with some new ideas or suggestions!
I’m joining
the Tablescaper for SEASONAL SUNDAY
Between Naps on the Porch for METAMORPHIS MONDAY & TABLESCAPE THURSDAY
Stone Gable for ON THE MENU MONDAY and TUTORIALS, TIPS & TIDBITS THURSDAY
The Gunny Sack for WHAT’S IN THE GUNNY SACK?
Savvy Southern Style for WOW US WEDNESDAY
Rattlebridge Farms for FOODIE FRIDAY
The Everyday Home for “Better Late than Never” Thanksgiving inspirations
Alderberry Hill for Make the Scene Monday
The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday
check out these amazing blogs!
Filed under recipe box, the organized life · Tagged with menu, menu planning, organization, recipe ideas, recipes
I’m thinking my favorite would have been the pumpkin ravioli. I’m having several dinner parties the next few weeks and am gathering recipes to try. The one I’m mos excited about in gingerbread soufflé.
Oh, gingerbread souflee sounds amazing! I would love to hear how that turns out!
I think I just gained my Christmas pounds reading this list of yummies! I love all of your ideas for party season. I think we have something almost every night in December! A litle too much for me! But a lot of these would be fun to bring along. There it went- I just gained a few more.
Sounds like you have lots of fun things coming up! Merry Merry!