Yesterday I shared with you the most popular posts from 2013 here on Tide & Thyme. Today I’m here to share my favorite recipes that were posted this year. Drum roll, please….
Hot Ham & Cheese Sliders – these are without a doubt the recipe that I’ve made the most often this year. We have them for lunch or dinner at least once every couple weeks, which says alot in our house. They’re too easy to be so good!
Cheerwine Cake – another easy favorite. The cake is moist and sweet, and the frosting – which is somewhere between a frosting and a glaze, is just unbeatable. This is the dessert I always turn to when I want something homemade, but don’t feel like spending a ton of time in the kitchen. Equally delicious when made with cola or root beer!
Chicken Tortilla Soup – I find myself thinking about this soup on the regular. And, once I think about it, I have to make it. The flavors sing in perfect harmony with each other. It’s a meal that fills you up, without weighing you down. And as with most other soups, it’s even better the second day around!
Macadamia Key Lime Pie – This year I became a Field Editor for Taste of Home magazine, and this is one of the first recipes I tried from them. It’s dreamy, and it was all I could do not to eat the entire thing myself. In fact, I need to make another one soon – it’s been too long!
Lumpia – This was a favorite that an old family friend used to make, and I finally gave it a spin on my own this year. Having a family full of boys (with one more on the way!), they love meat – so to stuff a bunch of ground pork into a crispy wrapper and then fry it was sure to be a winner. A great football snack!
Shrimp & Grits – We had the opportunity to visit the beautiful city of Charleston, SC this spring. When I got home I couldn’t wait to give this dish a try in my own kitchen. This version is from the Lee Brothers. Shrimp cooked in a delicious tomato gravy, served over creamy grits. It doesn’t get much better than this!
The Grapefruit Crush – any form of citrus crushes are popular here on our Eastern Shore beaches, but the grapefruit rendition is most definitely my favorite. The ingredients are so simple, but they make for a cocktail that is so refreshing and delicious. They’re especially tasty when made with ruby red grapefruits, which happen to be in season right now!
Strawberry Pretzel Salad – I’m really proud of myself for taking a classic barbecue staple, and making it even better by replacing the Cool Whip with homemade whipped cream. It still held up just as well, and I feel so much better knowing what’s inside. I’m already looking forward to summer to make this one again!
Chicken Chesapeake – this was definitely another year chock full of blue crabs for us, and this stuffed chicken breast was one of the favorite things I did with it. Chicken, crab meat, bacon, cheese – what’s not to adore?
Raspberry Truffle Brownies – these brownies taste even better than they look, which is really saying something. Rich brownies studded with fresh raspberries, and topped with a chocolate ganache frosting that contains more pureed fresh berries. Beautiful and absolutely delicious!
I can’t wait to see what the next year brings in my kitchen, and I really can’t thank you guys enough for spending the year with me here at Tide & Thyme. I hope that everyone has a very Happy New Year – and here’s to a wonderful 2014. Cheers!
