30 before 30

1. Cook something with eggplant. I wont lie. For years I was a total eggplantaphobic. I have actually only eaten eggplant a handful of times, and I actually enjoyed it once. I would love to cook something with eggplant and enjoy it.

2. Make Baked Alaska. I know it's not really THAT difficult, but it's something that just seems like I would royally mess up. Also, Baked Alaska is one of those things that you can't make ahead - so the pressure is on!

3. Venture out of my meat comfort zone. I am so typical. I eat pork, chicken, turkey and steak. I think that's it. I dislike seafood, so there are four animals I consume. I think it would be really interesting if I tried to make.. lamb chops.. or duck.. or even something absolutely insane (to me) like venison. And I have to actually eat the meal, afterward. If I just cook it and don't eat it, it doesn't count. That's totally something I would do.
*When I went to Deep Ellum, I tried a few lamb tongue. I also tried a few new meats when I went to Adriatic. I still want to try a few more meats, though.

4. Bake a loaf of bread. I've used yeast twice in my life. Once to make pizza crust, and once to make sweet potato rolls. The rolls were absolutely amazing. I won't lie, though, yeast used to intimidate me. It still does, a bit. 

5. Create an entirely raw meal. One of the latest food fads I have heard a lot about is Raw Foods. I have seen a lot of interesting recipes for raw foods, but have yet to try them out.

6. Try sushi. I have never tried sushi. Like I have previously mentioned, I dislike seafood. Raw seafood? No thanks. However, I will try something that isn't made from Nemo.

7. Create a drink. I bartend. I really need to start documenting the crazy adult beverages I have come up with.

8. Get a candy thermometer and use it! Truffles. Maple candies. Fudges. I want it all.

9. Make Maple Butter. On my first trip to Canada I had a Maple Butter Crepe. It was the most delicious thing I have ever eaten, and since, I have been obsessed with maple butter. In order to make this, though, I will need a candy thermometer.

10. Project. Food. Blog. Not only would it be amazing to be included in this competition, but imagine if I could actually win! Essentially, it would be my dream come true.

11. Make scones. Another culinary adventure I have not yet embarked upon. 

12. Try at least five new cheeses. Cheese is SO underrated. I love cheese, but I haven't ventured too far away from the mozzarella, american, cheddar, swiss, fontina, provolone, and jack cheeses, so I'd really like to cook with and familiarize myself with at least five new cheeses.
*When I went to Adriatic, I tried a few very sharp cheeses.

13. Follow a recipe. I know this sounds silly, but I honestly can't recall the last time I have actually followed a recipe. Usually I will find a recipe, intend on following it, then change nearly everything and not even read the steps. I mean, I am a fantastic cook, don't get me wrong. I would just love to know I actually followed the directions for once in my life.

14. Make Bagels. I have been planning on it for a while, but still have yet to actually take the plunge.

15. Create an out of this world recipe. A lot of the recipes I have created are somewhat simple. Although they are delicious and interesting, I would really like to create something that people are like "What?! Oh my god, that sounds so good! How did you ever come up with that idea!?" And you know what? I've got a list of ridiculous recipes I would like to create, so hopefully you'll see this one crossed off real soon.
*Bacon. Ravioli. Blood Orange Chicken. Toasted Almond Squash French Toast. mmmm.

16. Pack a picnic lunch. Not much of a challenge, just something I would like to do before I get too old to sit in the grass in the sun. 

17. Use bacon in an unconventional way. Think; Chocolate Chip Bacon Cookies. Maple Bacon Donuts. Stuff like that. Only way better, because I made it.
*Does candied bacon count? What about Bacon Ravioli? 

18. Come up with ten vegan recipes. I have lots of vegan friends, and I would love to feed them! I was once vegan, and I used to come up with some interesting meals. I'm giving myself four years to make at least ten more. 
*I made vegan Tie Dye Cupcakes

19. Create a cocktail cupcake. I have made the infamous Irish Carbomb Cupcakes numerous times (and they are ah-maze-ing) and I have attempted to make Dark and Stormy Cupcakes (the end result was a fail. Tasty, but a fail.)

20. Try seafood one more time before I swear it off forever. I had a bad experience with fish when I was a lot younger. Four months ago I tried swordfish. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't like it. I figure I will give seafood one more shot.
*I tried scallops and didn't like them. And then I tried Mako Shark, and I actually liked it! Well, kinda. 

21. Learn to make perfect stuffed hamburgers. And stuff them with something aside from bacon and cheese.

22. Make a recipe that intimidates me. There is a whole list of recipes that I would love to make, but either has way too many steps, or has steps that seem difficult.

23. Learn to make fondant and make amazing cupcake or cake designs with it.

24. Get a food related job. Ideally I would like to be Martha Stewart's second in command, but if that isn't possible I'd at least like to have a job in a field that I am passionate about.

25. Start acquiring crazy kitchen utensils. Like a garlic press. Or egg rings.

26. Make my own pasta. I have always wanted to make my own pasta, but it seems a bit intimidating. One of these days...
*I made my own ravioli... and stuffed it with bacon!

27. Get a Dutch Oven. How do I not own one of these yet?! And seriously, I've heard all the jokes, so don't start with me.

28. Make my own barbecue sauce. I love BBQ. Love. Love. Love.

29. Throw a really awesome dinner party. I don't often have multiple guests over for dinner, but I think it would be really fun to show off my culinary skills to my friends.

30. Enter a food contest. Maybe a bake off? Maybe a chili contest? Who knows. All I know is I want to enter one!
*I entered a cookie baking contest!