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Friday, December 30, 2011

Wrapping Up 2011 - Food & Favorites from the Year

Well.  Another year.  Flown by!  Isn't it funny how it can simultaneously seem like January was yesterday and forever ago?  I've never done a recap of a year at girlichef before, and I thought I'd like to start doing it this year.  I thought I'd start with the "most popular" posts as determined by statistics, and then move on to share some of my personal favorites from the year.  Really, it was so hard to pick.  I love almost everything in the moment.  But the ones I've picked to share today were definitely some that still linger in the food-bank of my memory today.

So, the top 9.  Oh yeah, I said 9.  I'm defying all reason and throwing 10 out the door.  Here goes.

Starting with the most-viewed...


Now I'll move on to my favorite salads and sandwiches from 2011...


I had a really hard time choosing just a few soups.  And as you  may know, the Tortilla Soup that I shared up in my "most popular posts" collage is my all-time favorite soup.  These however, came very close...

1. Tomato Garlic Soup w/ Cheese Tortellini (& the Garlic Broth that goes with it), 2. Smoky Yellow Eye Bean Soup, 3. Good Neighbor Tortilla Soup, 4. Sopa de Letra (Alphabet Soup)

I realize that I don't really don't post very many whole meals.  But these are four dishes that make very happy bellies when served as an Entree...


Mmmm...side dishes.  I've been known to eat side dishes as whole meals.  Each and every one of these is case-in-point.  However, a small side serving is just as pleasing.  Both the mac and cheese and the scalloped potatoes happen to be my very favorite versions of each...


Mmmm...breakfast...my favorite meal of the day.  While I have a bit of a hard time choosing favorites, because really, breakfast really depends on my mood.  But I tried my hardest...


While I could compose an ode to the glory that is freshly baked bread (haiku's about croissants are also commonplace around here),  I'll share six irresistible versions with you right now.  Irresistible I say!


Whether it's happy hour or the bewitching hour, it's always the perfect time for any of these drinks!  If I had to choose one cocktail to drink for the rest of my life, it would be numero uno...


I'm a sucker for many, many sweet endings but here were a few of my favorite desserts from this year...

1. Fried Nutella Ravioli, 2. Apple Cider Pie, 3. Paletas de Chocolate (Mexican Chocolate Ice Pops), 4. Lemon Bars

And a few odds and ends that didn't really fit into any category, but still deserved a spot in my favorites from this year were...


To go along with these favorite food picks from 2011, I also want to mention a couple of projects that were near and dear to my heart...She Made, Ella Hace and The Homesick Texan Cookbook Spotlight & Cook-Off.
She Made, Ella Hace Banner- girlichef.com and lacocinadeleslie.com The Homesick Texan Cookbook Spotlight and Cook-Off Banner


Thanks so much for hanging out with me in 2011!

I'm really looking forward to 2012...more food...more fun...more projects.  You can look forward to another Cookbook Spotlight (Joy the Baker), more She Made, Ella Hace and this will also be the new home of BYOB- Bake Your Own Bread.  Oh yeah, I'll be hosting MLLA- My Legume Love Affair in March so I hope to see you for that, as well.  And I'll finish the second half of 50 Women Game-Changers in Food along with a lovely group of ladies.
BYOB Badge JTB Cookbook Spotlight & Cook-Off Banner

Be safe and have a blast on New Year's Eve everbody!

Would you like to comment?

  1. I think you made a serious mistake.....you forgot the open-faced turkey sandwich with the mashed potatoes (ha ha)!  I'm still thinking of that one. 

    Seriously though you have a lot of fantastic looking recipes here.  I have to say The Homesick Texan cook offs was one of my personal faves as well. 

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  2. Thanks for the culinary trip through 2011.  Somehow I missed that poached egg warm salad; I have to go back for that recipe for sure.
    Hope you have a wonderful New Year's and I look forward to what you have in store for 2012!

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  3. Kim is correct ...the Turkey sandwich! !! That was a fun review. I sure do look forward to us cooking together in 2012. Xxxxxx

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  4. And a very happy new year to you, as well...thank you!! =)

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  5. Ha ha ha...I know, I know.  I almost put it up, but I was getting tired and I combined the sammies and salads.  Honorary Mention! ;P

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  6. My goodness, your review is an incredible piece of work! It certainly must have been hard to choose from all the wonderful things that you feature on your blog. Happy New Year!

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  7. What a great line up of deliciousness...everything looks wonderful!
    Wishing you a delightful 2012!

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  8. Thank you so much =) ...and a very happy new year to you, as well!

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  9. What an amazing year!!!  As usual, I'm drooling over all of your pics.  Everything really does look incredible.  You have a great eye for styling and photography.   

    My favorite this year were also She Made/Ella Hace & The Homesick Texan Spotlight!   Looking forward to BYOB and continuing to cook with you next year. :)  

    Happy New Year to you and your family! :)  

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  10. What a wonderful list,Heather! Everything looks delicious!Happy New Year!

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  11. There was a lot of good food that went down in the girlichef kitchen this year, that's for sure! And it's always so fun reading along (though I wish I could be TASTING along).  Here's to a great year in 2012!

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  12. What a great round-up. I stopped and admired the drinks and how fun it would be to have a tasting of all of them to ring in the new year. Happy new year to you and your family Heather.
    Sam 

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  13. everything sounds great but I just love the idea of making the root beer cupcakes

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  14. Estupenda selección. Te deseo un feliz año

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  15. Te deseo un feliz año. Has elegido una estupenda selección

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  16. So much great food came out of your kitchen in 2011. Can't wait to see everything you do next year. ;-)  Happy New Year!

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  17. Hi Heather,
    What a great presentation of your year of great food. One of the highlights of my year was participating with you in the Homesick Texasan Spotlight, I had so much fun thanks so much for including me! Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year and Abundant Blessings in 2012!
    Miz Helen

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  18. I'm so glad, Miz Helen! Happy New Year to you and yours, as well!

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  19. Thank you so much, mi amiga!  I'm looking forward to another year of She Made, Ella Hace and cooking along with you.  ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

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  20. Thank you SO MUCH, amiga...you flatter me ;).  I'm looking forward to another year of She Made, Ella Hace and BYOB and cooking along with you, too.  Happy New Year!

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  21. Wow! You cooked up the most delicious storm and I am remembering them. But the tortilla soup quest - always made me smile. Happy New Year, Heather! Here's to delicious days in 2012!

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  22. Alexandrina XandrinneDecember 31, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Happy New Year!!

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  23. Wow, great roundup, Heather. You are one amazing cook!  Happy New Year best wishes to you and your family.

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  24. Natashya Kitchen PuppiesDecember 31, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Mmm, I remember so many of these! You guys eat well. Can I come over for dinner? :-)

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  25. Everything looks so good! Happy New Year!

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  26. Goodness gracious, Heather, you sure have filled our bellies with some outstanding goodies this year. You'll pardon my favoritism for just a moment while I remember that gorgeous Fingerling Potato Salad you brought on the picnic this year:) 

    You are one talented "chef" Heather and I wish you all the best for the new year. Happy Safe & Healthy New Year! to you and yours. Louise:)

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  27. You really spend time cooking this year!  Great collection. I want to try that date shake, it just sounds really sweet.

    Have a great time cooking some more recipes to share this coming year.

    Happy 2012!

    Mely 

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  28. Thank you so much, Louise...I wish you the same.  And I was thisclose to putting that fingerling potato salad in the line-up! ;)

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  29. So many things reminded me of living in Tucson today(it must be a sign), your conchas transported me right back there when I would eat them (and other Mexican goodies) for breakfast almost every day with my cup of tea. You had a most delicious year - wishing you another one - Happy New Year!

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  30. What a tasty assortment of goodies; looking forward to baking bread with you this year.
    Wishing you all the best for 2012.
    Rita

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  31. Wow Heather! WHat an amazing round up of recipe. There's a few here I have missed and they'll be a must to do today on this lazy day. I'm especially excited about the gnocchi with the oxtail ragout. I hope you had an amazing New Year and I look forward to all your creations that are to come.

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  32. FANTASTIC roundup Heather!! I remember a lot of those gems. Looking forward to continue cooking with you through "50 Women", Joy the Baker Spotlight, and Food 'n Flix. Have a fabulous 2012!!

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  33. i'm exhausted just reading about your year...so impressive!!! do you ever get out of the kitchen ;)  Happy New Year!

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  34. Heather....such an amazing spread! I had so much fun cooking with you during the Homesick Texan review! You're one of my very favorite food bloggers, and I'm always so amazed at your posts. You make it look SO easy!! We have very similar tastes, so I always know I can find great recipes here. Happy New Year!!!

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  35. My mouth is LITERALLY watering looking at this list, those mini poptarts came out great when I made them!!  I still have a loooooong list of recipes from your site that I want to try, like the Nutella Ravioli, anything with bread in it, lol.  But seriously, your stuff is amazing and reading your blog brightens my day, it's like food porn-- in a good way!

    -Sara

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  36. OOh, how did I miss the cheesy scalloped potatoes???  I love potatoes any way I can get them - but scalloped are my favorite!!  Well at least they are in the top 3 favorite ways I like eating potatoes.

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