With 2013 coming to a wrap, I cannot believe another year is in the books. This year proved that I have grown spiritually and became more grounded mentally. I can truly say 2013 was good to me. I am honestly amazed at it all. But 2014 has even more in store for as I become a married women, discover more about myself and excited to see where this blog ventures to.
This past year, I fell in love with quite a few new blogs and whipped together some of their drool worthy recipes. Drum roll please of my favorite recipes from 2013 (in no particular order)!
*Skinny Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole by Dashing Dish | With its simple flavors, this received raving reviews from my future in laws on Christmas morning!
*Cold Brewed Coffee by BS in the Kitchen | I am obsessed with iced coffee; whether its 105 or 5 degrees. Something about the chill just gets me. I love that I know now how to make perfectly brewed iced coffee at home. I have changed the ratios based on our preferences and cannot wait to play around with adding our own flavors soon!
*Buffalo ‘Chicken’ Cauliflower Bites by Buns in my Oven | I whipped this up for some friends during a KU basketball game, and I was pleasantly surprised they devoured it! We have made this countless times and will many more in 2014.
*Sun Dried Tomato and Fig Jam Bruschetta by Yours Truly | My favorite flavors all based on an obsession with a local restaurant and their tapas restaurant. Salty, sweet, crunchy and completely delicious!
*Fresh Tomato Dipping Sauce by Edible Mosaic | There are very few things in this world that I love more during the summer months than fresh tomatoes. This tomato dipping sauce graced our table on more than one occasion! Its delicious with just toasted ciabatta or along perfectly baked balsamic pork chops.
*Queso Blanco by Side of Sneakers | Mexican food has a special place in heart. So when I decided to give up dairy for health reasons, I felt a part of me saddened with having to forgo queso…well not anymore as I stubbled upon an amazing vegan queso blanco. I have made this multiple times for cheese lovers and no one peeped at the little change a roo. Let me tell you, this recipe is de-lici-ous.
*Thai Quinoa Chicken Salad by How Sweet Eats | I have expressed how I love to whip up large batches of salads to have readily available during the workweek. Cause in point…this is a keeper.
*Prosciutto, Melon and Spinach Salad by CupcakesOMG | During my Paleo days (which turns up every now and then…) this was one of go to salads. Full of flavors and colors! Can’t go wrong with this combo.
*Butternut Squash and Vanilla Risotto by Giada De Laurentiis| As if risotto wasn’t creamy and delectable enough, Giada went above and beyond by adding slightly sweet butternut squash and the finishing if off with a touch of floral from the vanilla.
*Loaded Baked Potato Soup by Dashing Dish | A skinny version that does not skimp on flavor. My fiance and I absolutely devoured this soup. She uses pureed cauliflower as the base which makes it a perfect post holiday slim down meal!
*PF Changs Lettuce Wraps by Iowa Girl Eats | When a Chinese craving hits, we have gone back to this recipe time and time again. We love adding diced carrots and red peppers into the mix to boost the nutrition value. It is the perfect marriage of spicy and sweet.
*Stovetop BBQ Chicken Shells and Cheese by How Sweet Eats | When two of my fiance’s favorite flavors collide, he is in food heaven. I am telling you, you cannot go wrong with any recipe from Jessica at How Sweet Eats…
*Italian Saute Stuffed Acorn Squash by Yours Truly | I can’t count the times we have made this dish when time is crunched for us. It reheats wonderfully and its delicious over spaghetti squash, pasta and also with eggs!
*Blueberry Balsamic Pork Chops by Creme de la Crumb | An amazing burst of flavor from the blueberries and the saltiness from the balsamic. An ideal meal for a night short on time.
*Raw Cookie Dough Bites by Averie Cooks | I love having healthy snacks on hand and these are on the top of my list. They are popable and hard not to eat more a few in one sitting!
*Paleo Chocolate Chip Blondies by Ditch the Wheat | These are absolutely sinful. Made with natural ingredients, you don’t have to feel bad eating 1 or 3…
*Oatmeal White Chocolate Cookie Dough Bars by Picky Palate | If you need an absolutely delicious and show topper dessert, this is it. My coworkers practically licked the plate clean and they were requesting the recipe ASAP. You definitely have to make this in 2014.
*Brownie Bites by Dashing Dish | Katie is not kidding when she says they are a spin off of Hostess Brownie Bites. She uses pumpkin to makes these brownies moist and fudgy. I have already made these 4 times in about a month. I adore how she gives two versions, one using oat flour and one with coconut flour. As I try to limit gluten, these bites are truly amazing and the best dessert I have had in a long time…we love throwing them into our healthy milkshakes for a true treat!
What were some of your favorite meals of 2013? Maybe they will end up one of my favorites for 2014!
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