...To learn how to make these:

1) Canned Salsa - First of all, I've always wanted to learn how to can foods. Surprisingly though, my family has never done it (at least from what I know of). Lucky for me my future parents-in-laws are not only growing numerous types of peppers, but they also know how to can. I asked my future mother-in-law if she would teach me to can salsa.



2) Fondant - I've always been fascinated by using/decorating with fondant. There are many recipes on the internet about making homemade fondant, but I think I'll start with pre-rolled fondant and learn from there. Perhaps I should practice for my wedding because I want to be able to make my own top of the cake (the rest of the cake will be cupcakes!).




3) Homemade Knoephla Soup - For those non-Germans that don't know what Knoephla soup is...it is one of the best (in my opinion) soups out there. Knoephla means "dumpling". You can buy frozen packaged dumplings and thaw them, but it really is not the same. I would like to learn to actually make the dough. Also, my first and last attempt at Knoephla followed a recipe that required a couple pounds of butter...I learned and will modify my next recipe to completely X out the butter all together.


4) Poultry - I would LOVE to learn how to cook any type of poultry. I have yet to even make a Turkey. I have cooked Cornish Game Hen but that was a long time ago. Up in North Dakota Pheasants and Ducks are plentiful and would love to be able to make fresh poultry. I have eaten Duck before and it is delicious (then again, it was wrapped in bacon). Either way, for some reason poultry intimidates me. Beef and pork is easy...but poultry (aside from chicken) is scary. Also with poultry comes fresh eggs and I've heard those are very tasty to cook with also.


5) Sushi Rolls - Being a ND girl, I hope you don't think that I don't know what sushi tastes like because I do and I love it! In fact, I might just go eat some tomorrow. Fargo, ND has a fabulous sushi restaurant (wow I spelled restaurant correct without spell check!) called Yuki Hana. I've heard great reviews from people all over the nation, including ones that are right next to the ocean. I would love to be able to make my own sushi rolls. Pioneer Woman does a fabulous job at keeping her fans updated with her sushi making and it looks not only delicious but fun!


6)Pastries/Bread - I was never one of those people that could walk into my house and smell homemade bread, but boy do I love that smell! I would love to make my own pastries and bread products - all the way from doughnuts, white bread, honey bread, sweet bread, sour dough, puff pastries - you name it, I want to do it.


7) Creative Foods - I am not exactly sure what could come up in this section, but every now and then I stumble across websites that makes me say "Man, I wish I could have thought of that!" How you all do it, I have no idea, but someday I hope to have people saying about my stuff "Wow, I should have thought about that!"

And so that concludes my list. I noticed that I kept saying "I would love to..." or "I wish I could..." and am now thinking to myself "No! YOU WILL!" I will attempt everything on this list someday, some sooner than later. I would like a bigger kitchen to do this in though because currently I live in a one bedroom apartment (unless its under water by now).

If any of you know any great recipes for any of these foods and wouldn't mind sharing, I would happily attempt them! I also promise that I will keep posting all the foods that I attempt to make. Who knows, maybe Grandpa's Apple Pie is just around the corner.

Photo credits:
1) www.ww-recipes.net
2) www.pastrychef.com
3) en.wikipedia.org
5) blog.craftzine.com
7) http://so-me.coolcats.fr/2009/02/rainbow-man-needs-a-cake-today/