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I made a New Year's Resolution to drink a glass of wine with every dinner. No, I didn't keep it. But I think the general idea - treating myself to little pleasures - is something that I should start again.

I can't believe we're talking about 2008 already! Most of the food resolutions I've heard about are health-related: giving up french fries, giving up pop (which I highly recommend!), etc.

I really like erinlovestoeat's take on it though...think of getting rid of fried foods as expanding the palate.

But for me, I might make my new years resolution to cook more with fresh produce, and just cook more in general :)

Hillary
Chew on That

This was a great question. My resolution will be to try 20 new recipes this year. I tend to stick with my tried and true favorites, so maybe this is the time to branch out.

Thanks for bringing up the topic, Traveller!

So, i thought that I would ask you if you have ever made New Year's food resolutions, like using more organic/local foods, experimenting more, and all of that. What have you done? What are you going to try? What would you recommend?

I've done this for several years now, based on a question format originally devised by the great Pontormo - it's a wonderful list of questions and I'd like to share it. You can see last year's ideas here .

Here are the questions:
The new year is just a little over 3 weeks away. Fill in any or all of the blanks below:
(my note: with food-focused answers, of course!) :)

In 2007, I will eat__________________

I will make_______________________

I will find___________________

I will learn_________________________

This is the year I will try_____________________________

I will taste____________________________

I will use________________________________

I will give________________________________

I______________________

We________________________

My kids_______________________________

I will teach____________________________

I will read___________________________

ooh what a great list! thanks Karen!

Karen, thanks for linking the questionnaire to this forum. The first time it was presented, I think, the spontaneous answers were especially fun, so:

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showtopic=79678

I've long been dismissive of the tradition of resolutions, especially the ones smacking of self-improvement and denial. Nonetheless, last year I vowed to lose weight through moderation (vs. a full-fledged diet), walking and keeping track of everything I consume. I've slipped up on monthly goals from time to time, but have remained doggedly faithful to the program with happy results. I plan to continue indefinitely.

Next year one indulgence should be added to the list. Not sure what it will be, yet. As for a dare or feat of bravery, I think it will be purchasing pieds du couchon from a terrific farm that participates in my local market. Plan is to make posole for the first time and add pork stock to my freezer.

Oh, got it!

1) I will continue to bake Kouign Amann until I get it right, sharing the results of this very indulgent Bretan pastry.

2) I will move on to more sophisticated bread-baking techniques, culling from a number of sources that include Peter Reinhart, especially.

3) I will sharpen my chef's knife every time I use it and pay closer attention not only to my fingers, but to the position of the thumb of my left hand when I use it.

Although I resolved years ago to make no more New Year's Resolutions, this is just too much fun to pass up...

In 2008, I will eat EARLIER. My ability to calculate how long dinner will take to prepare is NOTORIOUSLY wrong, so we always eat much later than the target time.

I will make MORE YEAST BREAD. This, of course, is entirely dependent upon Santa bringing me the requested stand mixer! I used to bake bread frequently, but now do so only a couple times per year. Lazy.

I will find DECENT SANDWICH BREAD (store-bought, not rye, not sourdough) that isn't so full of sweeteners that it ruins the taste of the sandwich. (This is an enormous pet peeve of mine and probably warrants its own post.)

I will learn to make an EDIBLE PIE CRUST. Sadly, this has been most embarrassing culinary failure since high school.

This is the year I will try to REFINE & DOCUMENT MY RECIPES

I will taste ANYTHING & EVERYTHING, as usual. Hopefully whilst visiting new cities and far away lands.

I will use the MEAT GRINDING attachment on aforementioned anticipated stand mixer. Currently, I use the food processor. Just sucks.

I will give aforementioned REFINED/DOCUMENTED RECIPES to my loved ones.

And, please forgive me for plagiarizing you, KarenResta, but you nailed exactly what I'd have said if I'd been more on the ball. I saw no reason to rephrase what you said so well:

I am less hungry each year that goes by, and more satisfied with simple things to eat.

We all are so spoiled. (I might add so, so, SO!)

My kids will be making more of their own food this year, for I have decided to go on strike once in a while just for the experience of it all. (And dinner for the rest of us, too... YES, YES, YES)

I will teach as many people as I can as many things as I know about food.

I will read too many things to even imagine but I hope to be surprised by some of them. (ALWAYS)

Finding the best quality products for all my dishes.

Borrowed from Karen--thanks Karen!

In 2008, I will eat: out much less

I will make: dinner much more

I will find: a way to get my act together to make the aforementioned happen.

I will learn: better organizational skills.

This is the year I will try: making more authentic Mexican sauces and cook with chiles more.

I will taste: more brown rice and whole grains.

I will use: less factory-produced foods.

I will give: homemade cookies to people I like.

I: will take my lunch.

We: will make breakfast easy but healthy.

My kids: are going to prepare one evening meal a week.

I will teach: my sons how to clean the kitchen after dinner.

I will read (and view): only what I believe will inspire me.

I no longer have use for timidity in the kitchen