Each year we try and perfect so many different recipes in the Blondie household. My favorite part of trying new recipes and sharing them with you, is hearing back from you amazing readers, friends, and family about how the recipes rocked your kitchen, impressed your spouses, and fed your sweet little ones with ease. Watching the numbers, some of these recipes are a huge surprise to make the top 15 list, but I've loved watching their popularity grow with each batch made in your kitchens.
This year has sure been a crazy one here on Baking with Blondie. My favorite thing that happened has been countless Studio 5 appearances (cooking on TV is at the top of my favorite "food blogging perks" list), and my dear friend Natalie gifting me her DSLR camera in October was the gift I can never thank her enough for. It has completely changed the way I do things - and the pictures are definitely proof of that switch! I've never tried to be the best, or have blogging take over my life as a business. I've let it flourish on it's own, while spending as much time as I can with my young, growing family. I'm 27 years old - there's still plenty of time to be glued to a computer when my kids are all grown up! haha! But for now, recipe after recipe, I'm learning all I can in the kitchen while feeding the ones I treasure the most. And that, my friends, has been the most rewarding part of this blogging journey this year.
Let's jump right into your favorites from 2014!
This one was no surprise. Even before it finished simmering it's lovely way on the stove, I knew it was going to be a winner. It's the perfect grilled-cheese sandwich dunking soup, and can easily welcome a handful of orzo al dente. Plus, that design on the top is something I'm still swooning over.
By far this is still one of my husband's most "wife's brag worthy" recipes when his friends ask him what his blogging wife made for dinner. He still requests it, and we've made it several times since because of his incessant craving for some crazy Chinese food. Better than take-out, this recipe is one of the top in our books, and apparently yours, too!
I think the design more than anything got this pie secured it's slot on your top 15. The rosettes are heavenly, and made this pie more unique than just another french silk recipe. I'll rosette the crap out of anything I can, so whenever I have to spread some whipping cream on a pie, you know darn well the start tip and piping bag are my go-to.
This one was definitely delicious, but kind of surprised me at how much it was pinned! I almost didn't post it because I didn't like the picture enough. Well, I'm sure glad I shared it.
After making countless salads in 2014, and over my blog's lifetime, this one is definitely one of our favorite - and apparently yours, too! I also remember eating almost an entire can of black olives by myself while photographing this one. I barely had enough for the dang photo. I'm a black olive addict, what can I say?
Okay, so these took off the second I posted them, and for good reason!! It was at the peak of s'more season, and I had presented a way to easily pack the beautiful flavors of the favorite s'mores treat into an easy bar. Looking back at these, I can't wait to make them again next year!
Another salad. You crazy salad-lovers! I love making and sharing salads. They're incredibly colorful, and lining up all those beautiful ingredients together makes my heart sing!
By far, our favorite ice-cream recipe of all time. Soft pockets of angel food cake, cream cheese ice cream, and little ruby gems of fresh strawberries at the peak of their season?? It was a match made in heaven, and I was so excited to see it take off.
Okay, I know you guys love bacon, and cheese, but HOLY SMOKES this recipe will not stop bringing me in new followers and friends here in blog land! I thought it was going to be a stinker because a commenter (who I actually am quite fond of) mentioned that this "recipe looks constipating." Haha - gotta love it, right? It was the first time on the blog I felt I needed to share with one of my readers that well, my husband and I are in fine digestive health. Even after eating this pile of cheese and noodles.
Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
By far, my favorite time I tricked my husband into thinking I made him meatballs with beef, when in fact, these were made-from-scratch chicken meatballs. I can't even begin to describe how amazing these meatballs were, in such a dreamy sauce, covered in fresh basil and mozzarella. A total WIN of a dish, man.
By far, my favorite time I tricked my husband into thinking I made him meatballs with beef, when in fact, these were made-from-scratch chicken meatballs. I can't even begin to describe how amazing these meatballs were, in such a dreamy sauce, covered in fresh basil and mozzarella. A total WIN of a dish, man.
I'm happy this dish took off, because I was nervous to post the photos. I was trying out a new photography style and didn't quite nail the look I was going for. It still looks delicious to me, but I was second guessing myself all over the place. It's a good thing I decided to share it anyway, because it was the most shared/emailed recipe this year.
So, I still have dreams about this pie. It had the most perfect graham cracker crust, a layer of fudgey brownies, studs of chocolate chips, and a beautifully toasted layer of toasted marshmallows. It was love at first bite, and we still talk about how fun it was to make this one. Glad you guys like it, too! :)
This was kind of a surprise, too. I mean, it tasted like a daydream, but I wasn't sure if it was something unique enough to take off. Well, turns out ease + crock pot + salsa verde lovers = success!
Definitely an instant favorite from you guys, too! I think because it just looks like something I'd want to dive my fork into. On the other photos, it's smothered in cream cheese. I mean, PUMPKIN LOVERS UNITED hard core on this one, and I still am getting some serious love from you guys on this one. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
My very, very, very, very first photo shoot with my new DSLR from my friend Natalie. I was nervous as ever, and must have filled up my little memory card a million times over to get even this one shot. But I was so proud of myself for even getting it to work a little bit. It was a whole new world for me, and I'm so happy you all like it, too!
That's a wrap! Thank you so much my dear followers, friends, and family, for tuning in every so often. I promise next year some big things are headed for this sweet little pet blog of mine, and I can't wait to get everything in place. Love you all, and have a Happy New Year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte Moore
Congratulations on all you are able to achieve with your blog while still being a devoted wife and mommy! Happy New Year Mandy! I hope the new year will bring you a little rest and relaxation!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing so much recipes of different dishes and desserts. There will be a grand dinner at my place tomorrow so I will select few dishes from and make them for the dinner.
ReplyDelete