At the Table :: 2025 Rainy Day Bites January to April

Again, I know this post won't be for everyone, and trust me, I'll be back with some fun quilty content tomorrow, but I really appreciate documenting my participation in Rainy Day Bites Cookbook Club @rainydaybites, so here are all the recipes I've tried since January 1.

January

Featured book: What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers @carochambers (Note: This book is a new favorite! I tried A LOT of recipes, loved them, and am still cooking from it regularly.)

Smashburger Sammies with Well-Dressed Greens

Crunchy Refried Beans Taco-dillas with The Greatest Kale Salad

Enchilada Rice Skillet

Melty Mexican Cauliflower

Panko Honey Mustard Chicken with Frico Broccoli

Peanutty Pork-Zucchini

Cannellini Caprese with Burrata

Cheesy Rice and Beans + Burritos

Everything-Crusted Tuna

Foolproof Herby Omelet

Parm-Crusted Tuna Melts

Peanut Chicken Chop

Saucy Eggs

Sausage and Kale Pasta

Sesame Fried Egg Rice Bowls

Veggie Peanut Noods

February

Featured book: What Goes With What by Julia Turshen @turshen

Greek Orzo Bowl

My Usual Chopped Salad

Sticky Pork and Broccoli

Black Bean and Cheddar Cornbread Pie

March

Featured book: The League of Kitchen’s Cookbook: Brilliant Tips, Secret Methods & Favorite Family Recipes From Around The World by Lisa Gross @lisakyunggross and the women of the @leagueofkitchens

Afghan Eggs Fried in Ghee with Garlic and Turmeric by @the_league_of_k_

Burkinabe Chopped Meat Sandwiches by @benonaline

April

Featured book: Sobremesa: Tasty Mexican Recipes for Every Day by @holasus (Another big favorite!)

Adobo Verde Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Charred Tomato and Red Pepper Salsa and Spicy Chipotle Crema

One-Pan Zucchini and Corn with Crema with Homemade Beans and Spicy Margaritas

Burrata with Toasted Corn

Roasted Potatoes with Tangy Mayo

Spiked Coffee

January/February baking book: Sweet Tooth by Sarah Fennel @bromabakery

Funfetti Crumb Cake

Coffee Cake Cookies

Red Wine Brownies

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake Brownies

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

March/April baking book: Bodega Bakes by Paola Velez @smallorchids

Egg Tarts

Bulla Snickerdoodles

Maria Cookie Icebox Cake

Dominican Brioche [aka Pan Sabao]

Though I don't usually participate in @rainydaybites' bread group #greatgrainsgroup, their global bread recipe challenge for April was Mexica: Tortillas, which fit perfect with our cooking from Sobremesa, and I'd always wanted to try making them. So....

Traditional Flour Tortillas recipe from Treasures of the Mexican Table by Pati Jinich @patijinich.

Corn Tortillas from Sobremesa

The end of the month baking party, and our theme for 2025, is The Year of Flavor.

January 1/31: Vanilla - Vanilla Scones from Sweet Tooth by Sarah Fennel @bromabakery

February 2/28: Chocolate - Single-Serve Double Chocolate Chip Cookies from Sweet Tooth by Sarah Fennel @bromabakery

March 3/31: Nuts - Chocolate Pistachio Biscotti from Skinnytaste by Gina Homolka @skinnytaste

April 4/30: Berries - Strawberry Cloud Cookies from Smitten Kitchen Every Day by Deb Perelman @smittenkitchen

Whew! That's A LOT of new recipes tried, and a good number of them got stars in my books! This next period, May to August, is going to be a little bit different as far as how many books we cook from and the challenges will be broader. Check out Deborah's @rainydaybites post if you want to know more.