Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Best of 2013: Reader Favorites

Wow - it's our last day of the Countdown - tomorrow will be 2014. How crazy is that?

Today on the Best of series we're featuring Reader Favorites. These are the posts that have gotten the most attention over the last year. And for good reason - they are all amazing!

Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffeecake


Spanakopita Bites


Toffee Cheesecake Brownies


Lemon Zucchini Bread


Pumpkin Angelfood Cake


Cinnamon Roll Donuts


Creme Egg Brownies


Ham and Broccoli Quinoa Cups


Be sure to head on over to Finding Joy in my Kitchen to see all the great "Best of" Posts!

And head on over for more inspiration to Totally Tasty Tuesday, Create, Link, Inspire, Clever Chicks, Try a New Recipe, Share Your Stuff.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Best of 2013: Desserts

So here we are, at the best best of in the list - desserts. This is also the hardest one to narrow down - I seriously wanted to pick every last dessert I made this year. But I narrowed it down to 7 - and luckily a few more will make their appearance tomorrow in the Reader's Favorites category...

Be sure to head on over to Finding Joy in my Kitchen to see all the great "Best of" Posts!

Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Chocolate Flakes


Lemon Blueberry Bars


Roasted Pistachio Ice Cream


"Fried" Ice Cream


Chocolate Toffee Almond Bars


Blackberry Pie Bars


Chocolate Covered Oreo Cake

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Best of 2013: Snacks and Appetizers

Just in time for New Year's, today's roundup is the best snacks and apps from 2013. Several of these would make great main dishes as well, so there's tons of versatility here. However you eat them, they are delicious.

Sundried Tomato and Olive Cheese Spread


Chicken Lettuce Wraps


Shrimp Lettuce Wraps


BBQ Chicken and Grilled Pineapple Quesadillas


Asian Meatballs


Be sure to head on over to Finding Joy in my Kitchen to see all the great "Best of" Posts!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Best of 2013: Main Dishes

Our countdown to 2014 continues with a look back at this year's best main dishes. This list includes many that have now made it into my usual rotation - it's so great to find a wonderful recipe that you want to make again and again!

I hope these inspire your cooking in the New Year!

Spinach Artichoke Pizza


Chipotle Beef Ribs


Beef and Shrimp with Bok Choy


Scallop Risotto


Salmon with Mustard Cream and Cheesy Breadcrumbs


Parmesan Tilapia


Island Chicken


Custardy Baked Orzo with Bacon and Spinach


Be sure to head on over to Finding Joy in my Kitchen to see all the great "Best of" Posts!

Friday, December 27, 2013

Best of 2013: Soup and Bread

Well, again this year, I fall pitifully short in the soup category. I guess I tend to stick with my tried and true soups and don't branch out nearly enough. I'll see what I can do about that this next year.

Bread is another story. I love trying new breads and manage to make many every year. This year I made several new varieties of banana bread in addition to the many yummy favorites featured here.

Be sure to head on over to Finding Joy in my Kitchen to see all the great "Best of" link ups!

Asian Chicken Soup


Asparagus Soup with Herbed Goat Cheese


Eggnog Bread


Double Glazed Pumpkin Scones


Blackberry Rhubarb Bread


Rustic Round Herb Bread


Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Best of 2013: Breakfast

It's time again for the Countdown - this time to 2014! Can you believe it? 2014????

My friend SnoWhite is hosting this countdown party that goes through New Year's, and we'll be looking back at the best recipes from this year in various categories. Come back every day in case you missed a post this year!

Today's category is breakfast.

As usual, I have trouble narrowing down the options - I don't post a recipe unless it's GREAT, so to narrow it down to the best of is a bit of a challenge. But here they are - my favorite breakfast posts of 2013 - notice the emphasis on carbs!

Banana Waffles


Cinnamon Roll Coffeecake


Peach Cobbler Coffeecake


Bacon and Egg Pie


Tropical Sunrise Muffins

Caramel Apple Donuts



Be sure to head on over to Finding Joy in my Kitchen to see all the great "Best of" Posts!

Monday, December 23, 2013

Cranberry Pear Coffeecake


Are you still looking for that perfect Christmas morning addition to your brunch? This coffeecake fits the bill nicely. Studded with pears and cranberries and topped with a delicious streusel, it is festive, delicious and will win rave reviews from whomever is lucky enough to get to eat it!

Start by combining the flour, sugar, cinnamon,


baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. In a large measuring cup, combine the egg, buttermilk, butter and vanilla.


Whisk well, then add the wet ingredients to the dry,


and stir just until all the dry ingredients are moistened. Fold in the cranberries


and the pears.


Spread the batter into a greased and floured springform pan.

For the topping, combine the flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, orange zest and butter.


Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, then sprinkle the topping over the cake batter.


Bake for about 45 minutes, then cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes or so before removing the side of the pan.


This is delicious served either warm or at room temperature.


One year ago: Snickers Fudge
Two years ago: Caramel Corn with Peanuts
Three years ago: Sausage and Spinach Stromboli
Four years ago: Cranberry Bread

Find more great stuff at Clever Chicks, Inspiration Monday, Mix it Up, Recipe Sharing.

Cranberry Pear Coffeecake

Cake:
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 egg
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla
1 large pear, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed and chopped

Streusel topping:
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. grated orange peel
3 Tbsp. cold butter, cut into chunks

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and baking soda. In a small bowl, whisk the egg, buttermilk, butter and vanilla. Stir the wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the pear and cranberries.

Transfer to a 9-in. springform pan coated with cooking spray and dusted with flour. Combine flour, oatmeal brown sugar and orange zest. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs; sprinkle over batter. Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 20 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Makes 12 servings.