I love reading all the “Best of” lists on food blogs in these first few days of January.  I thought about creating a list of my own, detailing out month by month the things I made that I liked best in 2009.  But the truth is that some months there were lots of things I liked and there were some months that weren’t so popular in my kitchen.  My husband had the brilliant idea to just tell you all what I liked best in each category.  So here goes.

Appetizer

This Rosemary Flatbread with Blue Cheese, Grapes, and Honey could actually fit into the main course or bread category as my favorites as well, but I’m sticking it in appetizers.  This was so good I made it three times in 2009 and truthfully can’t wait to make it again.

Bread

I actually didn’t make much bread in 2009 (note to self: in 2010 make more bread).  I absolutely loved these Yogurt Flatbread, also called Naan.  They were easy to make and matched up perfectly with so many of the foods I love to cook.

Brunch

It almost doesn’t get any easier than these Petits Pains au Chocolat.  I have taught quite a few people how to make them over the course of the year and everyone (kids and adults alike) are delighted by them.  I’m choosing this recipe because there is so much bang for your buck, but if I were to go on taste alone, I would probably choose the Grits Frittata instead.

Cake

Given the title of this post, could my favorite really be any other than this Sweet and Salty Cake?  I made it four times in a month and will be making it for another birthday toward the end of January by request.  It’s a bit of work but it feeds so many and turns out so perfectly.

Main Course

It was a little hard to choose a favorite main course.  Not to toot my own horn, but I made a lot of good things last year.  I’m going to choose this Roasted Tomato and Olive Galette with Fontina because I just made it again last week and was shocked once again by how good it is.  This is something you can serve with absolute pride, it looks beautiful and tastes fantastic.  I’ve made it countless times and it always turns out perfectly.

Party Food

I made these Oven-Fried Rice Balls with Gruyère for a 40th birthday party.  It was a recipe sitting in one of my notebooks for years and I kicked myself for waiting so long to try it.  I could very happily eat theses beauties for dinner once a week in addition to being on my party menus from now on.

Pasta

I was inspired by a beautiful blog to create this Fettucine with Oil Cured olives, Tomatoes, and Goat Cheese.  We have eaten it many times since.  I will literally buy fresh fettucine any time I see it so we can have it for dinner.  I never tire of this flavor combination.

Salad

I made a lot of good salads in 2009.  When I look back on that category, it is interesting to note that many of the ones I wrote about did not include lettuce.  This was one of the superstars.  Next summer, when beautiful heirloom tomatoes are everywhere, promise me you will make this Heirloom Tomato Salad with Burrata, Torn Croutons, and Opal Basil.  I did so for a special dinner party and it was a huge hit.

Sandwich

Being non-sandwich lover, I didn’t make a lot of them in 2009.  But Tai’s Vietnamese Tofu Sandwich was a serious contender for favorite main course.  Make this for any somewhat adventurous eater in your life and you will get high praise.  It is delicious on so many levels and healthy to boot.

Side Dish

I have to be honest, I love broccoli so much that I eat it steamed once or twice a week.  I could easily eat it every night.  It was so awesome to make it a different way and have it taste so new and amazing.  This Blasted Broccoli will convert anyone who says they don’t like the green stuff.  Garlicky and spicy.

Soup

Leave it to Ina Garten to write a perfect soup recipe.  As I write this post, on January 4th, all I want is a big fat bowl of this Pappa al Pomodoro.  So rich, hearty, and good.

I loved just about everything I made in both the Mexican and Asian food categories (look at the side bar to your right) so if you need further inspiration, those are good categories to look through.  I’ve so enjoyed this year and all the cooking and can’t wait to share lots more recipes in 2010.  Happy New Year!