I took the last few days of the year off to prepare for Christmas and spend time with my family, but tonight closing out the year by reviewing the best recipes of 2015, along with a little bit about my year. The best recipes include dinner recipes, dessert recipes, and fabulous appetizer recipes.
If you have been following along, you know that one year ago, on December 20th, my husband had a heart attack at the age of 46. He did make a quick recovery, but had to make lifestyle changes including his diet. Since a good portion of the recipes I share with you are what I make for dinner on any given day, that meant a bit of a change to healthier recipes. Not everything bacon, cream, you get the idea. I did not change to completely healthy, though, it's just not me or the way I cook. Instead, I take something not really healthy and make it as healthy as I can, using things like reduced fat butter, yogurt instead of cream, and whole foods, and only occasionally bacon and cream for a special treat. Let's look back at the
Best Recipes of 2015
of course, I shared many more recipes besides these in 2015, the one's listed here are the one's I loved the most, or were most loved by all of you!
January- The new year started with #SundaySupper and a delicious Light Eggs Benedict. Made with egg whites instead of whole eggs, light English muffins, turkey bacon, and topped with shaved asparagus and a much lighter version of Hollandaise sauce. Turns out I didn't have to give up my favorite breakfast after all!
Later in the month I shared an indulgent recipe for another #SundaySupper, Hometown Foods theme. Victory Pig Silcilian Style Pizza is an absolute favorite of my area, and it's not hard at all to make delicious Silcilian pizza at home. Not healthy, but a great treat!
February- I made Smoked Salmon Sushi at home for the first time when I reviewed a new sushi making kit called SushiQuik, and I honestly loved both the sushi and the kit. Plus, it's much cheaper to make sushi at home.
Also in February, I made Mini Cheese Balls two ways, with bacon and smoked paprika and also walnut wasabi. These mini cheese balls are great for holiday parties, and made a little lighter with reduced fat American Neufchatel, reduced fat cheddar, and uncured smoked bacon.
April- I was busy in April, posting more recipes that month than any other this year, plus I joined Parade's Community Table as a contributor. I share mostly recipe collections there, like my most recent one "9 Unique Game Day Wing Recipes". You can find the links to all my posts on my profile.
It's hard for me to pick "best recipes" for April, since I shared so many I loved, but I guess my favorite would be Turkey Habanero Chili. Spicy and healthy, two of my favorite things!
May- I only shared one new recipe in May, the rest of my posts were talking about my collections on Community Table. But, the Red Beet Horseradish Dipping Sauce I shared that month is another recipe that is perfect for the holidays, pairing well with shrimp, chicken, or veggies.
June- Shrimp and Papaya Salsa was the best recipe of June. It's a great summery salsa, colorful and full of flavor!
July- I didn't post much in the summer, instead spending time with my family. We went on vacation to Wildwood Crest, and spent a lot of the summer outside with friends. One of the best recipes of the summer was a guest post from my friend Allison with her Fresh Strawberry Cream Cheese Cookies. I haven't gotten to try them yet, but they sound great!
The favorite recipe I made in July was Grilled Cedar Plank Salmon, simple yet flavorful cedar plank salmon with carrots, garlic, and lemon that is great for summer grilling! Or winter, if you're brave enough. I'm not.
August- I only shared one recipe in August, a Beer Marinated Grilled Porterhouse Steak topped with blue cheese, red onions, and arugula. I don't always like steak, but this steak is awesome!
September- Back to school for my daughter, Amanda (in first grade now! Where does time go??!!) and back to more frequent recipe creation for me. My favorites from that month have to be Clam Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms (think Olive Garden's Stuffed Mushrooms only much bigger!) and Southwest Chicken Pumpkin Chili, made in the slow cooker with shredded chicken breasts, black beans, hot salsa, and pumpkin puree simmered in chicken stock. This chili is full of flavor, not too spicy, and healthy! Plus, the pumpkin flavor isn't overwhelming, it just makes this chili thick and flavorful.
October- Quite a delicious month with Cheesy Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers and my most viewed recipe from this entire year, Slow Cooker Stuffing with Bacon, Onions, and Sage. Seriously, I don't even care that those holidays are over, I need to make more and go hide in a closet and eat it all share it with my friends!
November- Barbecue Country Style Ribs was the most viewed new recipe in November. These ribs are less fat than regular ribs, and have a homemade barbecue sauce that is to die for!
The next most viewed of that last month was Bacon Wrapped Chorizo Meatballs, which you still have time to make for New Year's Eve tomorrow!
December- Speaking of New Year's, the most viewed recipe published this month is 10 Party Appetizers for New Year's Eve, so be sure to check that one out! I also shared a great No-Bake Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake for #ChristmasWeek, and that post has a giveaway for $800 worth of Amazon gift cards up for grabs that ends tonight, so don't miss your chance to enter. You can enter on that post, or any of this year's #ChristmasWeek recipes.
Come back next year, I already have some great recipes planned, including Savory Ham, Cheese and Sage Waffles, and Crab Poutine, both coming soon!
Here are some more vegetable recipes you might like:
