12 Cooking & Baking New Year's Resolutions

— -- It's a new year and you're supposed to be focusing on a new you but how do you go about it? What do you do?

Sur La Table shares its list of monthly resolutions and "Good Morning America's" Recipes offers some meal ideas to put you in the right direction. Enjoy!

January -- Essential Knife Skills: Learn how to dice an onion like a pro.

February -- Can We Talk About Chocolate?: Learn all about chocolate -- how to chop it, melt it and make your favorite chocolate dessert. If your plan for 2010 includes a diet or eating healthier foods, chocolate doesn't have to be omitted. Check out this recipe for Chocolate Chocolate Brownie Cups by Devin Alexander, author of "The Most Decadent Diet."

March -- No Need to Knead: Homemade bread is easy to make and saves you money, try a no-knead recipe.

April -- Practice "Random Acts of Cookies": Make cookies for neighbors, family and friends…just because. A 15-minute recipe for cookies that the kids can take part in? It exists, thanks to Emeril Lagasse. Try his Peanut Butter-Chocolate Cookies.

May -- Eat Your Veggies: Cook a meal using fresh local vegetables. For Memorial Day, make room on the grill for marinated vegetables with this Rocco DiSpirito recipe.

June -- Spice It Up: Learn about new spices and how to make your favorite ethnic food. Study about harissa and then create Sara Moulton's Moroccan Vegetable Stew; add Garam Masala to your spice rack; or have Asian night that does not include takeout with Su-Mei Yu's Keang Bah-Shaw, beef and pumpkin stew.

July -- National Ice Cream Month: Learn how to make homemade ice cream and host an ice cream social to show off your new recipe.

August -- Grill Master: Learn how to tell whether meat is done and which vegetables and fruits are great to grill.

September -- Can It: Learn the basics of canning and make your favorite jam.

October -- Braising: You've heard the term, now learn the technique from Julia Childs and her Coq au Vin.

November -- Thanksgiving: Tackle a side dish you've never attempted before such as a Sweet Potato Marshmallow Casserole or cranberry sauce from scratch.

December -- Gifts From the Kitchen: Make some simple and tasty treats for holiday giving.