January Recipe Roundup

So many recipes, so little time. I've accepted the fact that I will never get to all the recipes I've bookmarked over the years, just like I will never get to all the books on my shelf, but here are a few that I tried for the first time in January, and found successful:

Bulgur Salad with Cucumber and Red Peppers from Once Upon a Chef

Whole grains and beans for heartiness and protein, offset with fresh, crispy vegetables for brightness make for a surprisingly satisfying meal that doesn't feel heavy. Plus a salad like this doesn't need to be cooked, and leftovers are easily packaged and stored to take to work as lunch.

Baked Potato Soup from Simply Recipes

This on is perfect for rewarding yourself after shoveling snow. It's also a great example of how to use meat as a garnish rather than the focal point of a dish. Bits of bacon, and frying the vegetables in bacon fat, give it flavor and heartiness without overpowering the potatoes that are the star of the show.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Lentils and Walnuts from Danielle Omar

photo credit: Danielle Omar

This dish is fun because the squash, lentils, and walnuts make for a complex bite with three very different, complementary textures. If anyone knows how to efficiently peel and chop a butternut squash though, please let me know.