The Painted Apron

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.

Pumpkin Ravioli

Tyler’s Ultimate Chicken Marco Polo turned into Twisted Marco Polo,

Butternut Squash Soup

Bourbon Sliders with Caramelized Onions

Spaghetti Casserole turned into Spaghetti Cassoulet

Mushroom Lasagna

Miniature Pumpkin Bundt cakes turned into Mini Pumpkins with Brown Sugar Glaze

My MONTHLY FAVORITE  recipe was, Ta Daaaa…

Mushroom Lasagna

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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.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!