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:
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!
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!
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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?
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 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!
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.
Ginger Lemon Whiskey Drink
Bourbon cocktail mixed with a rosemary-infused honey simple syrup, lemon juice, and ginger. YUM!
