Dear Readers,
Thank you so very much for reading my blog, sending me comments, and making my recipes. I still get such a thrill everytime someone says: “I made that kale salad and my kids loved it!” or “your cookies saved my holiday party!”
I thought I’d look back to 2012 and instead of looking at the most popular recipes of the year, recap the ones that were my favourites — the recipes that stand out to me and defined 2012 as a delicious year.
2013 promises to bring some amazing things (including our wedding!), and I am so looking forward to sharing them with you.
Happy New Year — may you enjoy a year full of joy, love, health & deliciousness.
Linz
The Top 12 Recipes of 2012 Countdown of Deliciousness:
Spiced Honey Plums
These honey plums marked the start of my canning and preserving adventures after doing a canning workshop in the fall. They taste like Christmas (somehow the honey, cinnamon, and star anise is the best combination ever) and I’ll be making them every year as a new tradition.
Huevos Mildred
This is one of my all-time favourite breakfasts, and I’ve made so many different versions of it this year, I couldn’t even count. Since going gluten-free in April, I’ve been making these on brown rice tortillas. They are easy to feed a crowd, and they make everyone happy. What could be better?
Instant Almond Milk
Ok, not so much a recipe as a “how to”, but this has really changed how much I make almond milk. I love making it the traditional way too, but sometimes I’m not going to go to all the trouble of making almond milk AND make a recipe. Because I always have a jar of nut butter on hand, I’m always 30 seconds away from fresh nut milk and therefore lattes. Love it.
Socca
My sister, Heather, and I have had a great year cooking and spending time together. This was one of our most delicious creations — and it’s made with chickpeas so it’s good for you.
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie (Gluten-free and Vegan!)
Thanksgiving was special this year, and this pie was a part of it. The crust on this (vegan! gluten-free!) is to-die-for and I will be using it for non-Thanksgiving pies in the future too. Yum.
Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup
We order a lot of Thai food (and even more now that we are anticipating our trip to Thailand in the spring!!!), and this comes pretty close to what we order. It might not be traditional, but it’s divine, and we eat a lot of it around here. The conversation usually starts with: “What do you want? Thai soup with noodles?” and the answer is yes.
6. Gluten-Free Roasted Rhubarb & Strawberry Polenta Cake
Roasted Rhubarb & Strawberry Polenta Cake
I honestly didn’t know gluten-free and dairy-free cakes could be this delicious. This is a summer cake if there ever was one. I think the coconut sugar makes it so wonderful, and so I’ve been using it in everything else.
5. Collard Green Wrap with Roasted Veggies
Collard Green Wrap with Roasted Veggies
It’s not showy, but it’s one of my favourite meals yet — and something I’m eating a lot of. Stuff veggies and beans or lentils into collard green and eat. Check.
4. Raspberry and Dark Chocolate Tart
Raspberry & Dark Chocolate Tart
The raspberries we got this summer were extra sweet, and they made this tart extra delicious when I made it for our groomsmen. A dessert for manly men, and all the ladies too. This gluten-free dark chocolate crust is a bit crumbly, and sinfully delicious when filled with dark chocolate ganache.
The Pickled Soprano
My friend Nicole and I talked a good game about inventing a pickle cocktail. And then we did it, and it’s become our cocktail of 2012 (along with Manhattans). Nicole even got me an apron featuring the cocktail to celebrate. If you like pickles (or Bloody Marys), you’ll like this one.
2. Dark Chocolate Mint Brownies
Dark Chocolate Mint Brownies
My new go-to dessert recipe. Yes.
Dark Chocolate Quinoa Cake
This one’s special because I got to make it for my bridesmaids. Also, it’s a cake made from quinoa and chocolate. YUM!!!!!!!!
Kitchen Operas 
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