As we begin 2023, I thought I would take a look back at 2022 and see which posts you all liked the most – that received the most traffic during the year (measured by the total number of page views and sessions – or active engagements with the page). There’s quite a variety – from cocktails, appetizers and main dishes, to how-to instructions and entertaining tips. Interestingly, most of the top recipes were my “quick and easy” dishes!

Here they are, in order of popularity:

red wicker plate holding 4 slices (1 portion) of Leftover Pork Quesadillas with a small bowl of Tomato Mango Salsa alongside

Leftover Pork Quesadillas

Quesadillas are an excellent way to use up leftovers – like these scrumptious Leftover Pork Quesadillas. Cooked pork is combined with sausage, peppers, onion, seasonings and lots of cheese then stuffed inside flour tortillas and sautéed. Crispy on the outside, full of flavor on the inside. You can use just about any leftovers – pork, steak, chicken, shrimp, even chopped vegetables!

martini glasses filled with Vodka Martini with a Twist

How to make a Vodka Martini with a Twist

With my husband Robert’s unique Vodka Martini recipe, you can surprise and wow your friends and family at your next gathering. He’s become known far and wide for his super popular dry martinis, which call for a special ingredient and no vermouth. They are easy to make – and you can even whip up a batch ahead of time!

plate holding one Roasted Salmon Steak, with broccoli on the side

Roasted Salmon Steaks

Roasted Salmon Steaks with a lemon-butter sauce are super quick and easy to prepare, and super delicious, too. Modeled after a recipe my mom created while on a family camping trip in Alaska, it calls for only 6 ingredients, with 5 minutes of prep time. And, the salmon comes out flaky and moist every time! Can also be grilled in foil (see Variation below).

Oval platter filled with Spiced Bacon Twists

Sweet and Spicy Bacon Twists

These addictively delicious Spiced Bacon Twists are chewy, crunchy and both sweet and savory. Salty, smoky bacon is dredged in a sweet and spicy brown sugar mixture and then baked until crispy. The resulting bacon has the most wonderful caramel taste, with a bit of zing.

small white plate holding a few Olive Cheese Balls, sitting next to a martini

Baked Olive Cheese Balls

Olive Cheese Balls are a delicious, impressive and crowd-pleasing appetizer. Tangy pimiento-stuffed green olives are baked in a cheesy, flaky crust and served hot. The best part? These little bites of heaven can be prepared up to 1 month ahead, frozen and then heated just before serving.

close up of a martini glass holding a portion of Frozen Brandy Alexander cocktail

Frozen Brandy Alexander with Ice Cream

Frozen Brandy Alexanders with Ice Cream are a memorable, fun and elegant dessert that I’ve been making for years. Traditional brandy Alexander ingredients of brandy and creme de cacao are turned into into a frosty milkshake by swapping out the cream for ice cream.

close up shot of 4 Kentucky Hot Browns on a foil lined pan

Kentucky Hot Brown Recipe

Kentucky Hot Browns are pure comfort food – an open-faced turkey sandwich topped with sliced tomatoes, bubbly cheese sauce and crispy bacon. Mom added unique touches to the original hot brown recipe – yellow Cheddar cheese and sliced ham – making our family’s version unique, and we think even more tasty. Note that the recipe can easily be scaled up or down, depending on desired portion size as well as number of portions.

mound of pappardelle pasta covered with mushroom and eggplant sauce

Quick Pappardelle with Mushrooms and Eggplant

A super easy pasta dish to prepare on a busy day, Quick Eggplant and Mushroom Pappardelle from my husband Robert is a crowd-pleaser! A bit sweet, a bit spicy, a bit earthy – it has a mouth-watering combination of flavors.

Braising Chicken Breasts

Braised chicken breasts are tender, moist and flavorful. You can use virtually any form of liquid – dry sherry, dry white wine, broth, water – even tomato juice will work. Similarly, you can add in seasonings to your taste. In the ingredient list below, I keep it simple and just add a bay leaf. You could also toss it sprigs of fresh parsley, thyme, cilantro, rosemary, basil, etc. And, you can add some chopped vegetables (onion, garlic, carrot, celery) too!

White cake stand holding Overnight Bundt Caramel Rolls

Overnight Caramel Rolls with Frozen Bread Dough (AKA Monkey Bread)

Overnight Bundt Caramel Rolls are easy to prepare, oo-ey, goo-ey, cinnamon-y bites of moist deliciousness! Not only do they take only about 5 minutes to prepare, you make them the night before, and pop them in the oven the next morning around 35-45 minutes before serving. Easy enough for everyday, elegant enough for special occasions and entertaining!

Step one of butterflying a chicken breast - slicing from the side with hand on top

How to Butterfly a Chicken Breast

Butterfly Chicken Breast Butterflying a boneless chicken breast can be quick and easy – just follow my step by step instructions! I love to cook chicken because it’s so versatile, and always have a few breasts in the freezer. Now, is it just me, or are chicken breast halves getting larger and larger these days?

table filled with wine glasses, plates of salad and white napkins

10 Easy Tips for Planning a Dinner Party Menu

Menu Planning for Hosting a Dinner Party People often tell me they think the most difficult part of entertaining is determining what to serve. Growing up in a household with dinner parties once a week – sometimes even more often! – I learned a lot from my mom, the consummate hostess. Over the years, I’ve

Mexican-chicken-black-beans-and-rice-recipe

Mexican Beans and Rice with Chicken

Mexican Chicken Black Beans and Rice is a quick and easy casserole that takes minutes to prepare and is guaranteed to please!

A single serving of Pistachio Crusted Fish, sitting on a light green plate that's on a cutting board.

Pistachio Crusted Fish

Flavorful, moist and flaky, Pistachio Crusted Fish comes together quickly (less than 20 mins.) with just 5 ingredients. Brown sugar and chopped pistachios form a luscious crunchy topping, dill adds a warm, slightly grassy tone, and lemon juice provides tangy added moisture. Altogether, this delectable, no-breadcrumb topping provides the ideal texture and flavor pairing for a mild, slightly sweet fish like sea bass.

lemon ginger bourbon cocktail over ice in a glass, garnished with a lemon slice

Ginger Lemon Whiskey Drink

Bourbon cocktail mixed with a rosemary-infused honey simple syrup, lemon juice, and ginger. YUM!

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About the author

Hi, I'm Lee.

I am inspired by my mother, Sally’s, love of cooking and entertaining to gather friends and family together over great meals and conversation. In fact, I held my first dinner party at the age of 16. Throughout the years, I’ve provided recipes, menu advice and cooking tips to friends seeking uncomplicated and delicious ideas for home entertaining.


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