I really loved my 2012 challenge, which involved eating at one of the "Best New St. Louis Restaurants" and then recreating one of the dishes Ryan or I ate there. One of the reasons I like eating out is that it often inspires me in the kitchen. Putting myself up for this challenge ensured that I actually followed through on that inspiration. Ryan and I had fun talking about the dishes at each of the restaurants, trying to decide which would be the most fun to recreate. While none of my dishes were exactly like what we enjoyed in the restaurant, they were all close, which was not only a boost of confident but also a great reminder that you don't have to eat in restaurants to eat well! See below for the full year's challenge in detail--there are links to each of the 12 posts, 6 restaurant posts and 6 recipe recreation posts!
February--REPEAT: Bacon and Egg Risotto, inspired by Salt
April--REPEAT: Arugula Salad with Browned Butter Vinaigrette, inspired by Home Wine Kitchen
June--REPEAT: Spicy Squash Pickles, inspired by The Block
August--REPEAT: Buttermilk Pancakes with Mascarpone, Berries, and Granola, inspired by Half & Half
October--REPEAT: Slow Cooker Applesauce, inspired by Bogart's
December--REPEAT: Bacon, Steak, and Blue Cheese Pizza, inspired by PW Pizza
