The Organized Life, January Paint Bucket
Posted by the Painted Apron on January 1, 2014 · 13 Comments

Welcome 2014! Do you have resolutions and wonderful things planned? Making a monthly recipe “bucket list” is one resolution I have been keeping for 2 years now. It really motivates me to try new recipes and it keeps me organized enough to have time to do so~
Here is my “bucket list” of recipes to try or be inspired from for January. To start the year off right, I am going to try to make everything a little lighter and healthier, eliminating extra fats and calories and packing the dishes with fruits and veggies~
Appetizers
Pimento Cheese Cookies from Southern Living
Anti-carb Antipasto cups
Low Fat Hawaiian Pizza Dip
Taco Cupcakes
Sides
Swiss Chard, Pear and Gruyere Tart
Roasted Vegetable Salad
Lighter Loaded Smashed Potatoes
Savory Caprese Bread from Will Cook for Smiles
Main
Mushroom Fajitas
Slow Cooker White Chicken Lasagna
Italian Sausage Pasta with Basil Cream Sauce from Flavor Mosaic
Chicken Pot Pie
Desserts and Miscellaneous
Lightened Up Blueberry Coffee Cake from Home is Where the Boat is
Strawberry and White Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake Muffins from Will Cook for Smiles
Milky Way Cheesecake Bars from Inside Brucrew Life
Nutella and Oatmeal Gluten Free Cookies from Lulu Musing
Red Velvet Trifle
Here’s what I made from the December Bucket List. You might notice that some of the resulting dishes are pretty distant from the inspiration recipe! That’s ok, the bucket list is just a taking off point, you must go where your creative juices and tastebuds take you!
Bacon Bourbon and Brussels Sprout Skewers I didn’t change a thing and they are AMAZING!
Beef Enchilada Dip turned into “Ironbowl Tears” [aka Enchilada Dip] sooo sad….!
I ended up combining 2 of the listed appetizers from the December Bucket List, Cheesy Mushroom Dip and Cranberry, Butternut & Brussels Sprouts Nachos and made Roasted Garlic, Brussels Sprouts, and Bacon Dip. Don’t tell skeptics about the brussels sprouts, they’ll never know they’re in there! This is fabulous!
Bacon and Leek Bread Pudding turned into Spicy Biscuit Bundt
Mini Eggplant Parmesan turned into Eggplant Lasagna
I combined aspects of two of the main dishes listed, Chicken Pot Pie on the Fly, and Spinach & Artichoke Rollatini and created Chicken Alfredo with Spinach and Artichokes
Ham and Swiss Sticky Buns turned into Christmas Confetti Potato Tart
Christmas Cake Balls turned into Peppermint Snowballs
Thanks for stopping by, I hope January ushers in a wonderful New Year for you!
___________________________________
I will be joining:
Filed under recipe box, the organized life · Tagged with January bucket list, January menu, menu planning, organizing recipes, recipe plan, recipes to try list
Isn’t it amazing what a popular food Brussels sprouts have become? Kale, too.
All lovely recipes. Thank you and Happy New Year!
Hi Jenna,
Wow, your new year is off to a really great start! I have to say my New Yea list of “to do” looks a lot like yours. Healthy and lighter fare on the menus for the new year. All your recipes look really delicious and your photos are always amazing. Your blog looks amazing too. Love the night shot of the bridge (Orange Beach?).
All the best to your and your family in 2014!
This really is something I should do, too, Jenna since my doctor got all serious with me last week about my cholesterol. Cooking is no longer a joy for me since I have to look at labels and weigh stuff and cut out so many of the foods I so dearly love. I guess I need to try to get a positive attitude and concentrate on finding new food loves. Sigh!
Enjoy your new recipes, and Happy New Year!
It takes a lot of planning to cook anyway, I’m going to try to make everything healthier this year so maybe there will be some recipes you can use. My biggest challenge is that bacon, cheese and anything fattening are always my favorite ingredients! Knowing you and your spirit, I bet you can have fun in the kitchen again!
Everything is always mouth-watering at your house Jenna and I’m already salivating over your January bucket list! I’ve been wanting to try those Pimento Cheese Cookies from SL and I can hardly wait for a serving of Swiss Chard, Pear and Gruyere Tart from you…yum! Looking forward to any slow cooker recipes from you this year, including your White Chicken Lasagna. Wishing you a delicious New Year 🙂
Wow, Jenna, I love the idea of a bucket list for recipes! Those bacon and Brussels sprout skewers are making me hungry. Thanks for all the inspiration and Happy 2014 to you. xo
This is a great idea those Christmas/peppermint snowballs look so yummy!
love your post creating a bucket list a sort of goal. This could help me in the kitchen and believe I may make one as well.
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Jenna,
I see several things that we would just love from your Bucket List. Thanks so much for sharing your Bucket List with us today at Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend!
Miz Helen
That Roasted Garlic, Brussel Sprouts, and Bacon Dip looks fantastic. I’m honored you included my Italian Sausage and Pasta in a Basil Cream Sauce recipe in your bucket list. Thanks for a great post.
Thanks Michele, I can’t wait to make your pasta dish, the basil cream sounds amazing!
What a great idea to have a bucket list for recipes each month! I’ve never thought of that, and might give it a try!
I’d like to invite you to a new link party, called Happy Tuesday. We’re sharing anything that makes us happy – we want to spread good vibes and positivity throughout blogland. You can find out more info at the link below. I hope you’ll come and join us!
http://holidays-at-the-harris-home.blogspot.com/p/happy-tuesdays.html
Thanks,
Jenny