Best Recipes of 2010

Best Recipes of 2010

Can you believe that it is almost Christmas and that we are nearing the end of another year? Hours zip by every day at the Bunkycooks, especially when it’s time to write a blog post.  Just where do these days go???

Well, rather than give you a new recipe today, I thought I would do a recap of the year to refresh my memory and yours on what has been cooking over the last year on my website.

I know that most of you are rushing around like wackos frantically trying to prepare for the holiday and probably not too interested at this particular moment don’t have the time to read much of what I have to say.  So, I thought I would do a recap of what I consider to be the highlights of my 2010 recipes.  If you need any other dishes to prepare for the holidays, you might just take a peek here at some of these suggestions. 🙂

By some chance, if you are way behind in holiday baking still need holiday cookie recipes, you should check these posts from last year.  Cooking Baking Day One, Day Two and Day Three.  These cookie recipes have all received the Mr. Bunkycooks stamp of approval!

Think of this as one of those Year In Review television shows like they broadcast on New Year’s Eve, but without the fancy production.  Sorry, no movie stars here (heh…maybe that’s a good thing…who needs that drama?!).  SO, here we go…

JanuaryTom Valenti’s Braised Short Ribs – This is still one of my favorite, go-to recipes.  It is a must try when you have a dinner party or special gathering.

Serve this with mashed potatoes or a potato gratin for a huge hit!

FebruaryOh My Ganache Cupcakes – These are amazing and were good enough to be a finalist in the Great American Bake Off Contest (benefiting Share Our Strength).

Totally decadent with dark chocolate, raspeberry and topped with chocolate Ganache!

MarchPaella – This is as close as it gets to the real thing and as good as I had in Spain last year.  This recipe is my favorite of all I have tried for Paella.  I will be making a pan of this over the holidays!

This is a truly authentic version of Paella.

AprilNutella Cake with Chocolate Ganache – OMG!  This has to be the best dessert ever.  You need to make this when you are looking for a rich and decadent chocolate dessert with a hazelnut twist!  This was a huge hit with everyone.  It doesn’t get much better than this for a chocolate dessert!

This is one of our favorite desserts!

MayHomemade Coffee Ice Cream with Chocolate Chunks and Homemade Dulche de Leche – Need I say more?!  This is to die for!  It is sooo worth your time to make the homemade Dulche de Leche.

The Dulche de Leche takes some time to prepare, but it is worth it!

JuneRosemary Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon Glaze and Old Amsterdam Grits – I cannot tell you how many times I have prepared this for us and for company.  It truly is one of our favorite meals!

Be sure to use good stone ground gtits in this recipe.

JulyButtermilk Panna Cotta with Strawberry–Champagne Soup – This recipe is phenomenal and was given to me by Chef John Fleer when I interviewed him at his restaurant, Canyon Kitchen, in Cashiers, North Carolina.

Don't miss making this special dessert for guests!

AugustSunburst Trout with a Buttermilk Vidalia Onion and Chive Sauce – This is a delightful and light recipe (for you calorie counters!) prepared with one of our favorite fish (fresh trout).  We had a great trip visiting Sunburst Trout this past Summer and there is nothing better than eating fresh fish caught the same day!

The flavors in the sauce really compliment the fresh trout.

SeptemberRosemary Goat Cheese Stuffed Figs with Prosciutto – This appetizer is simple and delicious and perfect if you need another appetizer for your holiday meals.  This recipe was inspired by our trip to Spinning Spider Creamery in Marshall, North Carolina.

This is a perfect appetizer for a dinner party.

OctoberFrench Pumpkin Soup made with a Brodé Galeux D’Eysines Heirloom Pumpkin.  This is the closest recipe that we have found to the soup that you find in France.  Be sure to use homemade chicken stock for a real depth of flavor in your soup.

I love the flavors in this soup at this time of year!

NovemberPumpkin Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting – This was made with a Fairytale pumpkin (I also made a batch with a Candy Roaster).  These were some of our collection of Heirloom pumpkins.  Friends and neighbors have made this several times with canned pumpkin and have raved about the recipe, so you can certainly make it with any pumpkin of your choosing (no Jack O’ Lanterns, please).

They are perfect for breakfast without the frosting, but become dessert with it!

DecemberWild Mushroom Risotto – Perfect for a cold evening with a fire and a bottle of great red wine.  This recipe should definitely make it into your list of “must try” dishes.

Make this for a special romantic dinner for two!

On a a closing note, as some of you may know, I had a blogiversary (one year anniversary of my blog) which was celebrated with Green Apple Martinis (another great recipe!) at the end of November.  I also spoke honestly about blogging and the conflicts that it can create in your everyday life, especially at this time of year.

Mr. Bunkycooks and I attended a neighborhood holiday party a few weeks ago.  When we were leaving, one of my neighbors gave me a gift and told me that I would understand the significance when I opened it.  She told me that it was a thank you for writing Bunkycooks and how much she has enjoyed reading my blog and making my recipes over the past year.

When I got home and opened the box, it was a really cute apron (and us cooking kind of gals definitely need aprons!), so I obviously understood the reason behind the gift.  It meant so much to me that she sincerely appreciates all the work that goes into the writing, cooking, and photography for the blog that consumes all of so much of our lives at our home.  It is moments like this that make food blogging worthwhile.

Happy holidays!

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