10 New Year's Cooking Goals (and 20 Recipes to Get You Started)

Some resolutions -- flossing every day, regaining the ability to touch your toes, spending less money on fancy salts -- fall in the category of more necessary than fun. But the right cooking resolutions can be both attainable and pleasurable.

So set out to actually use the appliance you got for Christmas three years back and to make friends with your butcher. Soon, you'll be enjoying delicious food while celebrating your accomplishments.

1. Break in the slow cooker.

Whole Slow Cooker-Poached Chicken and Southern Slow Cooker Choucroute by Nicholas Day

2. Get over that fear of lard.

Leaf Lard Biscuits by Cara Nicoletti and Welsh Cakes by Donna

3. Think beyond all-purpose flour.

Buckwheat Thumbprint Cookies with Cherry Preserves by Alice Medrich and Crisp and Tender Almond Flour Pancakes by creamtea

4. Make soup ahead. Make soup ahead. Make soup ahead. Make soup ahead.

Anna Thomas' Green Soup by Genius Recipes and Red Pepper and Cauliflower Chowder by Kendra Vaculin

5. Eat some greens that don't start with "k" and end with "ale." (Yep, we heard you.)

Pink Greens by Marissa Grace and Red Chard with Festive Spices by Emily

6. Order (a little) less take-out.

Multi-Layered Scallion Pancakes by Mandy @ Lady and pups and Joanne Chang's Hot and Sour Soup by Genius Recipes

7. Bake bread at home.

Maple Oat Breakfast Bread by fiveandspice and Homemade Naan by Carey Nershi

8. Reduce kitchen waste.

Vegetable Stock by Marian Bull and Chicken Stock by Jestei

9. Step up your salad game and make dinner-worthy creations.

Roasted Pear and Rainbow Chard Salad by Elizabeth Stark and Quinoa and Mango Salad with Lemony-Ginger Dressing by jenniebgood

10. Get familiar with unfamiliar cuts and types of meat.

Roasted and Whipped Bone Marrow and Crepinettes with Kale and Shallots by Cara Nicoletti

What are your 2015 cooking aspirations? Share with us in the comments below!