Cooking is an education—in chemistry, culture, history and sustainability. A few years ago I began creating a “Cooking Bucket List,” jotting down ingredients or recipes to expand my repertoire and palate. Some, such as “lentils” or “duck,” are foods I’d never prepared—or, in the case of rhubarb, had never even tasted! Others, such as “fish and chips” or “coq a vin,” are international classics. And then there are a few foods, such as “ricotta” or “applesauce,” that I typically purchase already prepared, but could learn to make from scratch.

I’ve slowly crossed items off the list, discovering some recipes worthy of sharing (for those, I’ve included a link) and others I’ve gradually morphed into my own creations (marked with an asterisk*). Think I’ve missed something? Leave a suggestion or recipe link in the comments. I’d love to hear what you’re cooking!

1. Whole fish
2. Lobster
3. Scallops
4. Mussels
5. Lentils
6. Rhubarb
7. Vanilla bean
8. Figs
9. Lamb
10. Short ribs
11. Saffron*
12. Truffles (the mushroom)
13. Tuna
14. Mahi mahi
15. Duck
16. Veal
17. Chocolate croissant
18. Roasted chicken*
19. Homemade pasta
20. Beef Wellington
21. Gnocchi
22. Soufflés
23. Bread pudding
24. Macaroons
25. Creme brulée
26. Chocolate babka
27. Churros & chocolate sauce
28. Pavlova
29. Buttermilk biscuits
30. Cheese
31. Yogurt
32. English muffins
33. Pineapple upside-down cake
34. Gougeres
35. Spanakopita
36. Ravioli
37. Crackers
38. Eggs Benedict
39. French onion soup
40. Tiramisu
41. Chinese dumplings
42. Matzo ball soup
43. Pirogues
44. Ratatouille
45. Coq a vin
46. Challah
47. Cream of mushroom soup
48. Spaetzle
49. Roasted peppers
50. Shrimp cocktail
51. Huevos rancheros
52. Paella
53. Meatloaf
54. Kolaches
55. Clam chowder
56. Orange marmalade
57. Jam or jelly
58. Chicken stock*
59. Frozen custard/gelato
60. Tamales
61. Peanut butter
62. Butter
63. Caesar salad dressing
64. Truffles (the chocolate)
65. Baked beans
66. Panna cotta
67. Veal
68. Flan
69. Guacamole*
70. Salsa
71. Risotto*
72. Kimchi
73. Bulgogi
74. Pad Thai
75. Tabbouleh*
76. Sorbetto
77. Gazpacho
78. Romesco sauce
79. Butter chicken
80. Ricotta*
81. Thanksgiving turkey
82. Doughnuts
83. Grits
84. Potstickers
85. Soft pretzels*
86. Falafel*
87. Black-eyed peas*
88. Jambalaya
89. Cheesecake
90. Sourdough bread
91. Lasagna
92. Baklava
93. Crab
94. Fish and chips
95. Spaghetti sauce*
96. Tomato soup
97. Angel food cake
98. Pudding
99. Applesauce
100. Ramen