i like to cook: January 2022

Sunday, January 09, 2022

2021 book club review

In 2021 I read 55 books.

Memoirs by female authors - 2

Memoirs by male authors -2

Non-fiction by female authors - 7

Non-fiction by male authors - 4

Fiction by female authors - 26

Fiction by male authors - 7

Audio books -7

5 fiction audiobooks by female authors

1 fiction audiobook by male author

1 non fiction audiobook by male author

I was very inconsistent with reading this year - some months I read multiple books, then I wouldn't pick up the next book for 3 weeks. I tried to do more non fiction reading, in part to get some of those self help books that I've had on my shelves for years out of here, and in part for working on better habits, which include reading every day (HA!) and mixing up what I read. It didn't always go as envisioned.

Here's how 2021 book club compares to the past few years -

41 books in 2020

51 books in 2019 - 9 audiobooks

48 books in 2018

41 books in 2017

26 books in 2016

I'm considering starting a new reading journal for 2022 (22!!!! jesus.) for no particular reason other than it can join all my other clutter and my habit journal that I routinely ignore then try to bring up to date weeks later. But it could be fun. Definitely thinking about it.

Tuesday, January 04, 2022

apricot jam chicken

This was one of the very best things I made last month, and possibly last year - apricot jam chicken. It's so easy and so delicious, you won't believe it.

The Mister found this somewhere and I was skeptical but oh boy, this is GOOD.

You only need a handful of ingredients and boom - so damn good.

Did I mention this is really good???

I added an extra dollop of jam because I thought the mustard was coming through a bit too strong for my picky eaters. I also only used the lemon juice and not the zest or slices. I cut my chicken breasts in half through the middle and baked at 375' for about 45 minutes.

recipe - apricot jam chicken