I know I said that I’m not a big recap blogger. I’m not. But I do like the idea of going back over the year and picking out favorites. I did it last year and here we go again. I thought of several ways to do this. I could talk about my favorite dish of each month in 2010, or I could pick my favorite dish in several categories. I decided not to be that regimented and just share 12 of the things I really loved best. My trusty assistants have picked chocolate winners and I will let you know who won in 2011!
I make a lot of cakes around here and this one was really a stunner. Everyone needs a good apple cake in their repertoire and I loved this one because it is not just a simple bundt cake. There are three different textures going on here and yet, it is still a relatively easy cake to make. Appropriate in all seasons I think.
I have made so many incarnations of this dish and I love them all. Red lentils are one of those fabulous ingredients that you can dress up or down and they are always good. This particular recipe uses tons of spices and makes a super healthy and delicious dinner.
Fideos with Pasilla Chiles, Avocado, and Crema
Every time I think about this dish, I want to put the ingredients on my shopping list. It is one of those shockingly flavorful dinners. I love spice and all the contrasting flavors and textures here make this a most interesting dish.
After wanting to make them for years, I finally attempted these perfect-in-my-opinion cinnamon rolls and they were worth the wait. And them some.
I made a lot of ice cream in 2010 and this was by far my favorite. Like Nutella ice cream but better.
In looking back over the year, I was shocked to realize that I had not made this again. Time to remedy that right away!
This Jamie Oliver pasta is a true favorite in our house – one I turn to over and over. It is healthy, tasty and fast.
Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you never read another word I write, promise me you will make these cookies. You will never need another recipe.
Rice Noodles with Marinated Tofu and Shiitake Mushrooms
I was inspired to make this dish after having an amazing lunch at a local spot. I didn’t get it quite right, but that didn’t stop me from making it over and over again.
Roasted Pear Salad with Chèvre and Fig Vinaigrette
It is really difficult to explain how good this salad is. A friend made it for me and I almost didn’t eat the pear part. Once I took a bite, I could not stop inhaling the salad. I could eat this for dinner happily with a large hunk of bread. I am wary of figs, but this dressing is fabulous.
I got a lot of personal and blog attention for these bad boys. If you want people to offer to clean your gutters or walk you dog or wash your car, make them some of these chocolate and peanut butter wonders.
Spiced Squash, Lentil, and Goat Cheese Salad
This is another dish I have made many times this year. I was just at a restaurant which featured a dish with roasted squash, chickpeas, and walnuts and it made me think of this one – which was better.
Happy New Year Everyone!
Share
So many tasty recipes here! That cheesy bread is calling my name, well they all are:) Happy New Year Dana. I hope we can meet up in the New Year!
Comment by Maria — December 31, 2010 @ 11:09 pm
Happy New Year, Dana! I’ve been following your blog for quite while now and some of the recipes above will definitely be on my list to make in the next year. Wishing you and your family all the best for a happy, healthy 2011.
Comment by Fiona — December 31, 2010 @ 11:39 pm
dana, you are so talented. I have been reading all year, and am consistently impressed with the time you put in to feeding your family well, and how you have shared your talent with people thru catering. I hope this next year is full of more adventure for you in the kitchen. May you impress yourself, have successful classes and learn more than you could have hoped. Wonderful job, thanks for the peek at your life, i enjoy reading along :)
Comment by Sara — December 31, 2010 @ 11:56 pm
Happy New Year Dana! I’m not super big on recaps either but it’s my blog’s second anniversary tomorrow so I’m going to do one then. This one is fabulous and is a reminder of all of the wonderful things I have to make from your blog in the new year! It was certainly a pleasure meeting you this year…one of the highlights of my year to be certain. And you should be highly aware that I may just take you up on your offer to come visit in Seattle! Have a great night my love!
Comment by Joanne — January 1, 2011 @ 12:28 am
Yum! I saw a lot of things I could be having right now, the buckeyes look fantastic, you could market them I think! the lentil and the pasta dish and that apple cake at the top, all fabulous!
Comment by tasteofbeirut — January 1, 2011 @ 4:59 pm
hey Dana. I love the list for 2010 and I was surprised it contained so many things I had not made. Since they made the list I am going to try the fideos (I think I’ve made every other mexican recipe on the site) and the pear salad one. I agree whole heartedly with the buckeyes (we loved), the squash/lentil salad and the red lentil dhal. those are all favs of mine too and will continue making into this year too.
i hope 2011 is a wonderful year for you and your family.
Comment by catherine — January 2, 2011 @ 1:57 pm
What a wonderfully delicious roundup!
Comment by leslie — January 4, 2011 @ 3:06 am
I need to spend some more time in your archives. So many great looking dishes I want to recreate!
Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Annika — January 5, 2011 @ 11:51 am
You were shocked to realize that you had not made cheesy onion bread again. I was shocked when I remembered I had not made it yet. I remember bookmarking it way back when you first posted it. Yep, definitely time to remedy that!
Comment by Lisa @ The Cooking Bride — January 12, 2011 @ 10:13 pm