The Best of 2014: Top 10 on Pinterest

Pinterest changed the face of food blogging - for good and for bad! Thankfully, Pinterest has been a great source of inspiration and traffic for me. I thought it'd be fun to check out the top 10 ranked by Pinterest. Not all are 2014 recipes; some of my older recipes still get lots of traffic (even when the photo is awful!).

These were measured by number of repins, with #1 having the most repins this year on Pinterest.

{Be sure and follow me on Pinterest!}

10. Y'all love your crockpots! Pinterest crockpot meals are some of the most popular and this one is a tasty one!

Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

9. This Arroz con Pollo is one pot, easy, and tastes as authentic as any version I've had! Thankfully, the Pinterest comments so far have proven to be a hit, too!

Arroz con Pollo

8. This rice continues to be a huge hit on Pinterest. It's one of my favorite recipes from The Homesick Texan and tastes JUST like the Tex Mex restaurants back home.

Mexican Rice

7. Oh, how I love a copycat recipe! This one, from PF Changs, continues to do well on Pinterest - and for good reason. It's AMAZING. Like, make it tonight.

Mongolian Beef

6. These muffins are some of the best I've made - total sleeper hit! I'm glad others are giving them a shot, too. It's like dessert at breakfast!

Snickerdoodle Muffins

5. This is, hand's down, my favorite pasta salad of all time. It should be at every summer picnic! I recently updated the photo to something less offensive, though the old photo is still getting the majority of the hits. It seems like people don't care what it looks like if it sounds delicious!

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

4. Y'all, another copycat. You're fans too! After our neighborhood Chinese restaurant closed, we've struggled to find a good alternative. This chicken is hand's down, better than restaurant quality and an instant family favorite. Have you tried it yet?

Honey Sesame Chicken

3. This one surprised me because I think the photo is so bad but the sandwiches are SO good. Super simple and perfect for snacking or light meals.

Ham and Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

2. One of our favorites! This chicken is super easy and delicious! I'm so glad that others are trying it and letting me know how great it is.

Blackened Chicken and Cilantro-Lime Quinoa

1. And the most pinned - by a landslide, I might add - is this Disney copycat. Of all the Disney recipes I've shared, this is by far the most popular. Everyone needs a little magic at home, right? {psst - it tastes like cookies and cream icing!}

"The Grey Stuff"

The Best of 2014: My Top 10

This was a lighter year on the blog; my work has been a bit hectic which meant a lot less cooking and blogging. I shared 72 recipes (half of what I made in 2013!) but they were all so tasty, it was hard for me to narrow it down to 10!

These are my favorites, in no particular order. Just click the picture to be taken to the recipe! 

Christmas Dinner Inspiration - Appetizers, Sides, and Desserts!

A round-up of some of the best guest worthy dishes to include on your Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or other holiday menu!

We're in the final days and I'm sure I'm not the only one still finalizing menus. If you need some inspiration, look no further! Check out these recipes before heading to the grocery store one last time.

Appetizers

Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus

Baba Ganoush

Warm Black Eyed Pea & Artichoke Dip

Avocado Feta Dip

Sides

Fried Brussels Sprouts with Pecans & Capers

Roasted Green Beans with Mushrooms, Balsamic, and Parmesan

Maple Roasted Butternut Squash with Pancetta and Sage

Spinach Artichoke Mac & Cheese

Cheesy Potato Casserole

Roasted Broccoli with Garlic, Lemon, and Parmesan

Cheesy Broccoli Orzo

Desserts

Sugared Grape and Phyllo Tart

White Chocolate Lemon Truffles

Pear & Dried Cranberry Baked Custard

Ginger Burst Cookies

Gingerbread Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce

Cranberry Pistachio Eggnog Bark

Brownie Truffles

Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodle Bars

Bacon and Butternut Squash Risotto

Roasted butternut squash and crispy bacon are paired with creamy risotto to create one ridiculously delicious dish!

I used to be intimidated by risotto and I think many others are, too. People have often said that they only eat it in restaurants because they can't make it at home. That stops today! Risotto is very easy, it just takes some time and a little patience. And your family will be so impressed!

Winter squash is so tasty and butternut is probably my favorite. When roasted and pureed in a risotto, it's practically magical. And then add bacon? You'll be licking the bowl.

Easy enough for a weeknight, fancy enough for company.

Bacon & Butternut Squash Risotto

2.5 cups diced butternut squash (about 1 medium squash)

Extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper

Honey, for drizzling

8 slices thick cut bacon, diced

4 cups chicken stock + 2 cups water

1 small onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup dry white wine

1.5 cups Arborio rice

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400.

Place squash on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and honey. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Arrange in a single layer and roast until tender, about 20 minutes. Transfer half of the squash to a food processor and puree with a little water or stock. Set aside both the pureed squash and the remaining roasted squash.

While the squash roasts, heat stock and water in a pot over medium-low heat. 

In a deep pan, or a dutch oven, cook diced bacon until crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from pan with slotted spoon and set aside. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons bacon grease.

Add the onions and garlic to the grease and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the wine and deglaze the pan with a wooden spoon until the wine evaporates. Add the rice and toast, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. 

Add a few ladles of the warm stock/water to the rice and stir until all the liquid has been absorbed. When the rice looks almost dry, add another few ladles of stock. Repeat until the rice is creamy and al dente. It should take 18-20 minutes total and may not use all the reserved stock.

Stir in the squash puree, bacon, and Parmesan. Taste for seasoning. Serve in shallow bowls with reserved roasted squash and additional grated cheese over top. 

Source: adapted from Rachael Ray

Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup

All the flavors of chicken enchiladas - in soup form! Stocked full of chicken, beans, corn, and loads of cheese makes this soup easily a meal on it's own.

Now that it's dark around lunchtime (kidding...), I find myself becoming more of a hermit in the evenings. I don't want to run errands, shop, or even head out to dinner when it's so dark and cold outside. I'd much rather come straight home, start a fire in the fireplace, and eat dinner in front of our latest Netflix series addiction.

Come to think of it, those bears sure are onto something with their hibernation lifestyle!

Meals that are ready when I come home on a chilly dark night are my FAVORITE. Sure, I love cooking but my winter sloth-ness wins out if an appliance will do it for me.

This soup is perfect for long, cold, winter days. It's a little spicy, very chunky, and substantive enough to call it a full meal on it's own. Even the husband agrees! It's loaded with flavor, which I think is often missing in chicken enchilada soups. Definitely one of our favorite soups!

The stovetop prep will take you just 10 minutes to whip together before transferring it to the crockpot. Worth the 10 minutes - promise!

Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 cups milk
1 can (15 ounce) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes and green chiles
1 bag (10 ounce) frozen corn
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 can (10 ounce) enchilada sauce
1 pound boneless/skinless chicken breasts (around 2 breasts)
1 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the flour and stir until smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat and add the chicken broth and 1/2 cup milk, a little at a time, stirring to keep smooth. Return to heat and bring the sauce to a gentle boil. Cook, stirring occasionally until thickened.

In a large bowl, whisk together the enchilada sauce and chicken broth mixture. Gradually whisk in the remaining milk until smooth. Set aside.

In the crockpot, combine the drained beans, diced tomatoes and their juices, corn, and onion. Place the chicken on top of the mixture and then pour in the sauce.

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. When ready to serve, remove the chicken and shred. Add it back to the soup and mix well.

Serve each bowl topped with cheese.

Source; slightly adapted from So Tasty So Yummy

Fried Brussels Sprouts with Pecans and Capers

Brussels sprouts are deep fried alongside parsley and capers and then tossed in dressing of honey, anchovies, red wine vinegar, garlic, pecans, and more! Salty, sweet, tangy, and ridiculously delicious. Perfect for Christmas dinner!

I find food trends so interesting! You can go back through old cookbooks - especially those with recipes submitted by home cooks - and easily spot what the food trend of that time period was. That's why old church cookbooks are so fascinating! I probably wouldn't cook a single dish shared but I read it with such interest... and occasionally amusement :)

Kale, macarons, quinoa, and sriracha, have seemed to all peak in recent years. I've recently noticed a surge in cronuts, juices and smoothies, and BRUSSELS SPROUTS! If you hop on Pinterest and search for them, a bajillion recipes come up. Since I think they're a deliciously tasty veggie, I'm totally okay with the trend.

This recipe is actually not new - matter of fact, I made it for my dad 4 or 5 years ago and it changed his mind on Brussels sprouts! The ingredient list seems very odd, I know, but Chef Symon knows what he's doing. It all ends up so perfect! Even the anchovies (which I know many of us respond with 'ewww' when asked about them) give a umami quality to the dressing that is a must. The anchovies completely dissolve into the dressing and do not give a fishy taste at all.

This is the perfect green veggie to add to your Christmas spread!

Fried Brussels Sprouts with Pecans & Capers
Vegetable oil, for frying
1 clove garlic, minced
4 anchovy fillets, rinsed and minced
1 serrano chile, seeded and minced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
2 scallions, thinly sliced on the bias
1/2 cup pecan pieces, toasted
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered
2 cups loosely packed flat leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and patted dry
salt and pepper

In a heavy bottomed pot, pour enough oil to come around 3 inches up the side of the pot. Heat oil to 350.

In a large bowl, whisk together the garlic, anchovies, serrano, vinegar, honey, scallions, pecans, and olive oil. Set aside,

Once the oil is hot, deep fry the sprouts in batches until the edges begin to curl and brown, about 3 minutes a batch. To the last batch, add the parsley and capers and let fry for about a minute. Remove each batch using a slotted spoon and place directly in the dressing bowl. Toss to coat and add salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe: adapted from Michael Symon

Overnight Ham and Cheese Strata

Cubed bread is tossed with eggs, milk, ham, and loads of cheese before refrigerating overnight. The next morning, just pop the pan in the oven and bake! Perfect for Christmas morning!

To say I'm not a morning person would be the understatement of the century. So, in my house, breakfast isn't commonplace. Even if I am up early, the last thing I want to do is cook - much less talk to another human! On holidays, though, things are relaxed and lazy and begging for brunch.

I don't know how it is in your circle but in ours, holiday meals are typically later than normal lunch times. Say, anytime between 1pm-3pm. Which means breakfast is a must!

An overnight strata is the perfect breakfast for me because you make it the night before. First one up (I'm looking at you, husband) gets the honor of throwing it in the oven and setting the timer.

This is super cheesy, just like we like it!

Amounts below are for a very large portion - easily serving 10 people. I halved it and we still had lots leftover!

Overnight Ham & Cheese Strata

10 eggs

3 cups whole milk

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

14 cups cubed Italian bread

2 cups cubed, cooked ham

2.5 cups sharp cheddar cheese, divided

3 cloves garlic, minced

Lightly coat a 9x13 pan with cooking spray and set aside.

In a (very) large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cubed bread, ham, 1.5 cups cheddar, and garlic and gently stir until well combined. Transfer to the prepared pan and top with remaining 1 cup cheddar. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next morning, remove the pan and let sit while you preheat the oven to 350. Bake until set, about 1 hour. 

Source: adapted from Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine

Baked Gnocchi with Bacon, Tomato, and Mozzarella

Simple comfort in one pot! Bacon, tomatoes, and gnocchi are topped with thick slices of mozzarella and baked until hot and gooey. This guest worthy meal is weeknight easy!

One of my biggest Pinterest pet peeves is the overuse of "best" - the "best" chocolate chip cookies, the "best" meatloaf, the "best" iced coffee. Claiming your recipe is the best of all is off-putting in so many ways (not to mention a completely arbitrary measurement!). I know why some bloggers resort to that - it greatly increases their pins and page-views resulting in more income. But I still don't have to like it :)

So bear with me while I claim this recipe to be one of the very best dinners we eat. Yup, I've made it several times and the entire pot was gone before a photo could be taken. I practically guarded this bowl with my life so I could finally snap a (really not impressive) photo. Y'all, hiding under that thick layer of mozzarella is pure joy.

It's creamy, and tomatoey, and gooey, and is peppered with thick cut bacon and pillows of gnocchi that just melt in your mouth. It's what you want to eat after a stressful day. Or when it's freezing outside and you had to shovel your driveway. Or when you have company coming and need something to impress. Or, you know, you just need some bacon in your life.

Will you think it's one of the best? I don't know. I hope so, though.

I know it doesn't look/sound like much but something magical happens in that pot and this tomato-hating-girl is drooling just rereading the recipe.

I think we'll have it again this weekend :)

Baked Gnocchi with Bacon, Tomato, and Mozzarella
8 slices thick cut bacon
1 pound store bought gnocchi
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with their juices
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1/2 cup coarsely chopped parsley
12 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
salt and pepper to taste

Spread the bacon out on a foil lined baking pan. Place in a cold oven, set temperature to 400, and let bake for 18-20 minutes or until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to cook slightly and then crumble. Keep oven on.

In a large oven safe pot, bring a pot of water to boil and cook the gnocchi for 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Return pot to heat and add 1 tablespoon oil. Quickly fry the garlic and paprika for 30 seconds. Add the diced tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomato paste, and sugar. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cream, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir in the cooked gnocchi and crumbled bacon. Top with sliced mozzarella and bake for 10 minutes.

Source: adapted from Simply Delicious

Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus

Roasted butternut squash is blended with traditional hummus ingredients to create a super creamy and slightly sweet twist on a classic. The perfect appetizer for your holiday party!

I can't believe it's already December! I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving holiday. We had a great meal with some good friends (our family is 1100 miles away), watched lots of movies, did some online shopping, and started decorating the house for Christmas.

Just because the calendar turned December (and therefore "winter") I refuse to stop chowing down on fall bounty - especially squash! Look out - I have several more fall-ish recipes coming your way. Butternut squash is still readily available right through the Christmas holidays so this would be the perfect addition to your appetizer spread. Especially since you can make it ahead of time in just minutes!

Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus

1.5 cups cubed butternut squash (1 inch cubes) 

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided (plus more if needed)

2 tablespoons tahini, stirred well

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon smoked hot paprika

2 tablespoons lemon juice

10 pitted green olives (with pimento is fine)

salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 400. Place the squash on a baking pan, drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper to toss to coat. Spread in an even layer and roast for 25-30 minutes, turning once with a spatula, until squash is tender and cooked through. Allow to cool slightly.

In your food processor, combine the roasted squash, tahini, chickpeas, garlic, paprika, lemon juice, green olives, and black pepper. Process for 15 seconds. Stop, scrape sides, and process again for 15 seconds, drizzling in the olive oil as it runs. Taste and add salt and more pepper if needed. Process until desired smoothness, adding more olive oil if needed.

Serve drizzled with additional olive oil.

Source: inspired by Whole Foods