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…
January – Tom 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.
February – Oh 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).
March – Paella – 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!
April – Nutella 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!
May – Homemade 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.
June – Rosemary 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!
July – Buttermilk 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.
August – Sunburst 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!
September – Rosemary 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.
October – French 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.
November – Pumpkin 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).
December – Wild 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.
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!
Looks like a great year! All of those recipes look so delicious! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
What a wonderful lineup! Everything looks delicious–but that PAELLA! Holy cow! I’d like to eat that right ow for breakfast!
I want that wild mushroom risotta, Happy Holidays to you!
Wow, where was i when u shared that panna cotta recipe?! What an awesome dessert n what great roundup!
Happy Holidays Gwen!
Ah I’m sitting at work after a lack luster breakfast and this made me so hungry!!!! Good thing we have a lasagna in the oven for lunch with Snicker-doodle cupcakes for dessert! 🙂 Yay for holiday parties.
Love your blog! Thanks for the reminder of recipes I meant to try but haven’t gotten to yet. LOVE the photos, especially the one of the cookies.
Oh my! What a fabulous round up and thanks for offering us such a great gift for the holidays. I want to make each and every one! Bookmarked, for sure! I hope you are feeling better, up and around and can enjoy the holidays! Merry Christmas!
Thanks for the reminder of just how beautiful and seasonal your creations are! GREG
What a gorgeous round up – your photos are so evocative! I’m drawn to that savory paella and refreshing trout with buttermilk sauce. You’ve created such a comforting place here and what a wonderful feeling to have it acknowledged by others. Merry Christmas, Gwen!
Hi Gwen: All wonderfully delicious choices! Great work, a great year…I hope your ankle is healing well and you and yours will have a happy new year! Ronnie
Holy YUM! awesome roundup here…. Happy 2011… I can;t wait to see how you top these beauties lovely creations 🙂