The Reviews are In

As you all may recall, one of my biggest New Year's Resolutions for 2012 is to do a better job feeding my family.  Now that January has ended, the reviews are in for the month's menu.  Our "Try Something New Thursday" hit or missed depending on the kid.  The older ones were decidedly miss and the youngers were definitely more inclined to hit.  I forced all the kids to sit down with me on Saturday and discuss each new option and vote on whether or not it should be included in our rotating mix of meals.  Here below are their opinions, feelings, and commentary.  Although, it should be kept in mind that everyone was in a pretty terrible mood throughout the whole day so things might be slightly skewed.

Sweet and Sour Pork
{recipe from Mormon Pantry Slow-Cooker Cookbook}

ETHAN:  "Very gross!"  "I didn't think it was that good."
GRACE:  "Terrible -- I don't like any try something new things!"
SOPHIE:  "I loved it!"
{JANE and ALEX both really liked it and so did Scott and myself.  This was probably my favorite of the new recipes.  It was delicious served over quinoa.}

Minestrone Soup
{recipe from foodnetwork.com}

ETHAN: "It was okay."
GRACE:  "I hated it!"
SOPHIE:  "I liked it."  "I loved it actually!"
{JANE and ALEX both liked this one fine.  Scott liked it and I liked it fine enough.  I thought it was good, but a little sweet.  Perhaps it's because I spent the whole month avoiding sugar and other junk food, but I thought the tomatoes in it made it too sweet for me.  I have it on the menu again for this month but I think I might add potatoes to the mix.  Is that a bad idea?  In-authentic for a minestrone soup?}

Southwestern Chicken Chili with Barley
{recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe}

ETHAN:  "Whatever."  "It was okay."  "Better than I thought it was going to be."
GRACE:  "No, I hate chili!"
SOPHIE:  "Yes, I liked it."
{JANE and ALEX plus Scott and I all really liked it.  Scott says this one was his favorite of the new meals.  It will definitely make more appearances in future menus.}

Bean and Sausage Stew
{recipe from Mormon Pantry Slow-Cooker Cookbook}

ETHAN:  "Tried it but did not like it."
GRACE:  "This was the only one I liked."  "I loved it!"  {just for the record -- she only liked the sausage part and hated the tomatoes in it and flung them out of her soup bowl.}
SOPHIE:  "I loved it!"
{JANE didn't really like this one, and ALEX really didn't like it.  Scott really liked it a lot, and I didn't think it was that great.  I ate it, but it wasn't my favorite.}

And there you have it.  After they finished filling me in on their reviews, I made them each pick something new that THEY wanted to try for February's menu.  By the end of the month, I'll have a whole new set of reviews of the following recipes for you:

ETHAN:  Vegetable Soup  {Lion House Classics, p. 11}
GRACE:  Salmon Steaks & Rice Pilaf {Lion House Classics, p. 65}
SOPHIE:  Sophie's birthday is this Thursday so I told her she could pick whatever she wants for her birthday meal.  She chose Chicken Nuggets.  Little does she know that I will be finding a "recipe" for those to avoid the Wal-mart brand, over processed {and disgusting} nuggets she is expecting for her big day.  Hahahahaha.
JANE:  Tangy Pork Roast {Mormon Pantry Slow-Cooker Cookbook, p. 15}  And technically I chose this one for her since it will be on MY birthday. 

And that's a wrap.  Happy Eating everyone!