As is tradition, Jason and I always post our own picks on TIMT’s birthday.
This started during year one when we just couldn’t agree (he chooses anything that has the word “potato” or “dumpling” in it automatically—and if there is gnocchi then it’s just game over), and now a couple years later, we like making our selections on our own and comparing notes later. This year, there is a bit of overlap in our top choices, which is to say, that recipe must really be worth your while.
But before we get to the recipes, I also want to share a couple other accomplishments from the year. This blog, which technically is my first baby, was always a place for me to share the things that bring me absolute and complete joy. I know I don’t always post the most popular or trendy things. I understand that not everyone wants to spend four hours making dinner. And although I love sharing stories about my life, I very much want to stay behind the camera. That’s why you won’t find me snapping or whatever else the kids are doing these days.
What I’m trying to say is that this blog is very much for myself—and the fact that any one comes to this space and reads it, cooks my food, or comments on my photographs is the most unexpected, rewarding, and motivating feeling.
So is getting my recipes picked up by other much bigger and more popular sites, which happened quite a bit this year. I made BuzzFeed’s cool kid lists three times (here, here, and here). Brit & Co shared two of my recipes (here and here). Food52 named three of my recipes Community Picks (here, here, and here). And then a smoothie of mine made it onto Well+Good and Glamour Magazine. Is this real life?
Anyways, enough about me. Let’s get to the food.
Top Three Breakfasts
03. Mascarpone, Peach, and Chamomile Stuffed French Toast – not that this is an every day kind of breakfast, but when you’re feeling celebratory, it’s the right choice.
02. Rhubarb Hazelnut Scones – after a year of working on the perfect spring scone recipe, I’ve finally found it.
01. Salmon and Leek Quiche with Capers – classic flavors in a simple, easy to make quiche.
Number One Appetizer
01. Caramelized Onion and Ricotta Tarte Soleil – my mom makes this one for every party she hosts. That’s the ultimate compliment.
Top Three Salads
03. Panzanella Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Figs and Corn – if you could put summer in a salad, this would be it.
02. Everything Plus Shrimp Summer Salad – completely different from my normal meals, this big, hearty salad is a complete meal in and of itself. And the dressing is addicting.
01. Smoky Beet and Lentil Salad – Another main dish salad, I love the combination of smoky paprika with the beets and lentils. Salty feta and crunchy cucumbers and walnuts give this salad the perfect balance.
Top Five Main Dishes
05. Beet & Fennel Galette with Walnuts – this was an effort to create a recipe that even beet haters would love. Success?
04. Spicy Garlic Shrimp with Herbs – the quickest, simplest, most flavorful shrimp recipe. Serve with rice, orzo, or pasta and you’re done.
03. Sesame Noodles with Kale and Mushrooms – stolen from a friend, this recipe is one that we keep coming back to over and over again.
02. Pork Roulade with Mushrooms, Sun Dried Tomatoes, and Olives – there are lots of flavors working together here, and I am completely in love.
01. Grilled Trout with Eggplants and Leeks – this sauce you guys, I could eat it all day long. It soaks into the eggplant and works nicely with the leeks. And the whole thing is so easy on the grill, it makes for a perfect barbecue meal.
Top Three Side Dishes
03. Delicata Squash, Kale, and Wild Rice Pilaf – looking at this ingredient list is getting me excited for fall to be here!
02. Massaged Kale Salad with Blood Orange and Pomegranate – technically a salad but hearty and filling enough to serve as a side dish, it looks beautiful on a holiday table.
01. Wild Rice with Kale, Sun Dried Tomatoes, and Gruyere – another dish that makes me happy that fall is just around the corner and hosting big dinner parties is all there is to do. We’ll be seeing this dish frequently.
Top Three Desserts
03. Blackberry Granitas – I didn’t think it could be so easy to recreate the dessert we were so obsessed with in Sicily, but it is.
02. Rhubarb Hazelnut Scones – oops, I can’t get enough of these scones. Breakfast and dessert.
01. Medjool Date and Walnut Ice Cream – every year I have a total winner in the ice cream department, and this year it’s most definitely this one.
Thanks for sticking around here you guys, on to the next year!
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