If you woke up this morning on the floor, covered in confetti and silly string (it happens — no judgment), and you’re now staring at confetti that’s stuck to your kitchen tiles or hardwood, here’s practical advice: get a butter knife, get on your knees, and scrape. Experience makes you wiser.
Maybe you woke up in someone else’s apartment, house, car, or even on the sidewalk. And you don’t remember your name, where you parked, or what year it is.
So let me fill you in.
2011 — baby, yeah. (Said in my most Austin Powers-like voice.)
This also means it’s the second birthday of Eats Well With Others. Two years ago today I resolved to start a blog, and I did. Since then it has grown into something far beyond what I imagined. I’m amazed every day that this is something I created.
Over the past year I’ve grown a lot as a cook and baker. I began developing my own recipes, baked all my own bread, entered a number of recipe contests (and won a few — thanks to you!), learned to make fresh pasta, and was even featured on the POM website. I was invited to a POM-sponsored dinner at 11 Madison Park and built a great relationship with the folks at Marx Foods.
None of that would have been possible without you. You are my inspiration and the reason I keep coming back. Thank you for supporting me, for encouraging me, and for lifting me up when I needed it. I’ve made so many wonderful friends through the blogosphere; you’ve made this experience precious.
Before I dive into my top posts from 2010, it’s time for resolutions. You already know about my personal goal to regain my rock-star body in 2011 — that’s a neurotic-Joanne resolution, not a blog resolution. Last year’s blog resolution was to bake all my own bread, and I kept that promise. No more store-bought loaves entering this house. Amen.
This year I want to push myself creatively: my goal is to create at least two original recipes each month, crafted from scratch and from the depths of my imagination. Who knows what I have stored back there? I’m a little scared and a lot excited. You should be too.
Wishing everyone a fabulous New Year’s Day — here’s to a delicious 2011!
Now, onto my top 10 posts of 2010.
These keftedes with Greek cinnamon-scented tomato sauce were the first recipe I made from Michael Symon’s Live to Cook, and they started my love affair with that cookbook. I’ve served this tomato sauce many times and it always draws moans and sighs.
Tofu can be polarizing, but this braised tofu in caramel sauce, created for Regional Recipes: VIETNAM, will convert skeptics. The sweet-and-salty sauce is addictive — you might not even realize you’re eating soy.
This zucchini-sausage pizza surprised me: it’s incredibly simple and yet outstanding. I’ll definitely make it again when summer squash return to season.
I love bread in almost any form, and these pretzel rolls were my favorite yeasted recipe of the year. They taste just like the mall pretzels — next time I’m rolling them in cinnamon sugar. Pure heaven.
I’m usually not a fan of raw summer squash, so eating an entire batch of this zucchini crudo in one day proves how delicious it is. Another winner from Live to Cook, I could happily eat this every day for a month.
This fig and ricotta pizza with maple-balsamic reduction was inspired by something I tasted at Au Bon Pain. Why pay for it when you can make it at home and improve on it?
These caramel macchiato cupcakes left me speechless. They were part of my caffeine-infused Project Food Blog dinner party and were by far the best cupcakes I made this year — and I made a lot of cupcakes.
I’m especially proud of this Thai winter squash and sweet potato pot pie. It’s one of the first and most successful original recipes on Eats Well With Others. It’s comforting and deeply satisfying — perfect for warming the soul.
These pumpkin ravioli with sage and roasted hazelnuts were among the prettiest things I made all year. The filling mixes pumpkin with balsamic and Parmesan, and pairs beautifully with the aniseed finishing touch and browned butter sauce.
Finally, this beef and beer chili is a recipe everyone should know and love. It includes Guinness, which is reason enough to call it a winner.
Go brew a cup of coffee and nurse that hangover. I’ll be back on Monday with a nourishing recipe to kick off a healthier 2011.