December 29, 2010 — last updated September 24, 2017 by Kalyn Denny26 comments »
I never post recipes unless I really like how the dish turned out, so asking me to pick my best recipes of the year is like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. Still, I love the top ten lists that pop up on blogs during the holidays, and I did manage to choose my favorite recipes in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Last year I had such a hard time narrowing it down that I ended up with ten honorable mentions, and I did that again this year when I found it even more difficult to decide what made the cut. (This is what my mother used to jokingly call “A Good Problem to Have.”) I started with more than forty “best” recipes and narrowed it down to this list of twenty; all of these dishes are things that made me drool during 2010.
In 2010 I became infatuated with peperoncini, and the new recipe I’ve made the most over the year was easily this Peperoncini Chopped Salad with Romaine, Red Bell Pepper, and Feta. I’ve probably taken this to at least 10 family parties since I first took it for Easter brunch at my sister Sandee’s house.
This recipe for Baked Halibut with Sour Cream, Parmesan, and Dill Topping is something I’ve made several times for guests, and even more times just for myself.
In the summer I came up with this easy recipe for Grilled Sweet Potato Salad with Green Onion, Basil, Thyme, and Feta, and I’ve heard from quite a few friends and readers who loved it.
When I was thinking about what to make with leftover turkey, I came across an idea that I adapted into this Coconut-Lime Turkey (or Chicken) and Rice Soup, and it I loved this for a change from the usual after-Thanksgiving turkey soup ideas.
I realize that stuffed peppers aren’t for everyone, but they’re something I’ve learned to love, and my dad went crazy over this version of Stuffed Green Peppers with Brown Rice, Italian Sausage, and Parmesan.
It took me a couple of tries to get this Crockpot Recipe for Double Lentil, Sausage, Brown Rice, and Spinach Soup just right, but when I let my brother Rand sample it, he liked it so much I ended up e-mailing him the recipe before it even showed up on the blog!
West African Chicken and Peanut Stew with Chiles, Ginger, and Green Onions is perfect to make with leftover rotisserie chicken, and I loved the flavors in this.
My walking partner and friend Bonnie found this recipe for Black Bean Salad with Jicama, Tomatoes, Cilantro, and Lime in one of the South Beach Diet cookbooks, and I adapted it a little into a version we loved.
Grilled Zucchini Pizza Slices were a huge hit on the blog when I posted the recipe, and if you’re looking for a way to enjoy the flavor of pizza in a version that’s gluten-free and also phase one, this recipe is perfect.
Roasted Cabbage with Lemon was a recipe that wowed me, and this was a hit with everyone I tried it out on during the year.
Ten More Honorable Mentions from 2010
~Twice Baked Sweet Potato Cups with Sour Cream, Chipotle, and Lime were a delightful change from the other ways I’ve cooked sweet potatoes.
~I absolutely loved Thai-Inspired Turkey Meatball Lettuce Wraps, although when I make them now I usually don’t bother to make the turkey into meatballs!
~When Rand brought me a little box of figs from his tree in California, I made Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese and Balsamic-Agave Glaze, and they were just amazing.
~I love fresh green beans most any way you cook them, but this recipe for Lemony Green Beans might be my favorite green beans recipe yet.
~I’ve been a fan of Egg Foo Yung for a long time, and this recipe for Chicken Egg Foo Yung with Mushrooms and Green Onions was as good as any I’ve had in a restaurant.
~Another long time favorite of mine is Mujadarra or Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions, and I was thrilled when I managed to perfect the recipe at home.
~These Spicy Whole Wheat Sesame Noodles with Chicken, Green Onions, and Cilantro are the kind of thing I’d make over and over for an easy dinner.
~I’m not sure how I came up with the idea of combining balsamic vinegar and tahini into a salad dressing, but Arugula-Chickpea Salad with Feta and Balsamic-Tahini Vinaigrette was completely a winner.
~When I’m cooking for my dad shrimp will always be a hit, and dad loved this Quick and Easy Spicy Broiled Shrimp.
~Finally, another recipe that took me several tries to get it just right was Shredded Chicken Salad with Green Olives, Celery, and Green Onion, but adding some olive juice to the dressing made the final version of this just fantastic.
More of My Favorite Recipes from Previous years:
The Top Ten Recipes of 2009 from Kalyn’s Kitchen (and Ten Honorable Mentions)
The Best Recipes of 2008 from Kalyn’s Kitchen
The Best Recipes of 2007 from Kalyn’s Kitchen
What was the best recipe you discovered in 2010? And if I missed one of your favorites from Kalyn’s Kitchen, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
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Categories: Recipe Round-Ups, Recipes,
originally published on Dec 29, 2010 (last updated Sep 24, 2017) by Kalyn Denny
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Kalyn Denny —Reply
Cara, so glad you like the list. Can't wait to see what you have come up with.
Cara —Reply
I wholeheartedly agree with your list. The baked fish with dill sour cream became a fast favorite here, along with it's spin-off recipe, fish with feta-yogurt sauce. The grilled cabbage wedges opened up a whole new world of cabbage for me. And watch for later this week – I have something inspired by the African chicken stew coming up!
Kalyn Denny —Reply
Justin, glad you like the recipes. Have fun learning to cook; such a useful skill.
Justin —Reply
Kalyn: Thank you so much for this! I'm 26 and have been cooking for roughly half a year. I've been going through a couple of cook-books and love it, but have been trying to find something different. I find looking on those cooking sites to be very stressful to find the type of food I like.
These recipes seem just fantastic and I can't wait to try them. I'll be hitting up the grocery-store tomorrow for sure!
Happy New Year!
Justin
Kalyn Denny —Reply
Val, happy new year to you too!
Dara, thanks to YOU for teaching me how to make a collage!
Cookin' Canuck —Reply
Oh my – there are so many wonderful recipes to choose from. That sweet potato salad has been on my list for quite some time. Love your collage!
bellini valli —Reply
It looks as though I will be cooking ip a storm in my kitchen in 2011 to try and catch iup to all these healthy dishes. Have a fantastic New years celebration Kalyn!
Kalyn Denny —Reply
Thanks everyone for the very kind feedback about the recipes and my blog. I'm posting most of these comments from the iPhone while I'm out and about, so it's hard to reply from the phone, but I am enjoying reading them very much.
Abby —Reply
I have never really attempted cooking at all until my friend sent me this blog (since it's so veg-friendly and way healthier than I normally eat). I've made 4 out of your top 10 numerous times now (especially love the stuffed green pepper!). So thanks for saving me from $1 pizza slices or carrots and dip for dinner every night!!
Tiffany —Reply
Wow – what a great time to find your blog! Right here with a top 10! Looks fantastic, and I can't wait to dive into some of those recipes!
blepharisma —Reply
I'm going to have to try the halibut recipe. Always trying to find new ways to make white fish interesting…
I've enjoyed reading your blog in 2010, and look forward to more in 2011!!
Paula {Salad in a Jar} —Reply
Love the sweet potato salad picture but the lentil soup is calling my name.
Joanne —Reply
I have to say, these top ten lists are one of my favorite parts of the new year. All of these recipes sound amazing! ANd I will definitely be trying them in 2011!
Johanna GGG —Reply
happy new year kalyn – wonderful top 10 plus honorables – love seeming these and have bookmarked quite a few that I missed during the year (though am happy to say some were already in bookmarks)
Maria —Reply
They all look amazing. That grilled sweet potato salad is calling my name though:) Happy New Year!
Jeanette —Reply
Lots of wonderful recipes. The Coconut Lime Turkey Rice Soup, West African Chicken and Peanut Stew, and Black Bean Salad are on my list to try in 2011!
♥peachkins♥ —Reply
Great selection! Happy New Year!
FJK —Reply
Kalyn,
I'd hate to pick just 10 of your top recipes for the year! I love them all. I missed the Thai meatballs in lettuce wrap the first time around and will be sure to put that on my list to try soon.Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) —Reply
I've already tried a few of these (when you first posted them), but thanks for the reminder that there are several more on the list that I intend to make. It's really difficult to narrow down from all of the great recipes you share with us throughout the year.
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy —Reply
They all look good but the zucchini pizza slices look the best. Now I just need to find a big zucchini!! 🙂
Karina Allrich —Reply
I love that roasted cabbage made your top ten. Yay. Love it! Tempting round-up of favorites, Kalyn. As usual! Have a healthy, delicious New Year! xox Karina
Reva —Reply
Hi,
I am Reva and new to blogging…this is my first time here and I am stunned…I just can't stop browsing through your recipes, they are simply wonderful….From now on U have a loyal follower….I am so happy to follow u.
Reva.
www.kaarasaaram.comPam —Reply
Great round up post. I wish I had been organized enough to do something like this!
The Culinary Chase —Reply
A great selection and I especially like your zucchini pizza slice. Looking forward to more in 2011. Have a happy New Year Kalyn!
Barbara —Reply
Al s o healthy Kalyn. I love the combo of sweet potato and fetta. Sometimes I use pumpkin and fetta. It was a combo I first tasted while on holiday in Hong Kong about 10 years ago.
Lois B —Reply
I can see why it would be difficult to pick just 10. I see several that I want to try. Great photographs too!
