2014 Favorites {Mine and Yours!}
It’s always interesting to take a peek at the posts getting the most attention throughout the year. Blog stats are like a huge, dark hole that can suck you in and make you start questioning the meaning of life, which is why I usually don’t even look at the nitty gritty until this day every year when I want to figure out what posts you loved the very most.
Because the most popular posts (traffic-based) aren’t always my very personal favorites, just like last year, I can’t resist giving you my top picks, too. Did your favorites make the list?
It’s been a great year! Can’t wait to see the delicious eats 2015 brings!
Your Favorites
My Favorites
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A belated Happy New Year, Mel! I’ve finally come up for air after my four adult “kids” came home for Christmas bringing their significant others. It was nonstop cooking and eating for almost two weeks before they left on New Year’s Day. I just finished posting my followers’ favorite recipes as well as my own, and I wanted to tell you that two of your recipes were on my personal top ten favorites list–your pumpkin cheesecake with white chocolate mousse (made it 3 times in 4 weeks) and your chicken curry in a hurry which is now in my normal dinner rotation–so delicious! I look forward to another year of delicious recipe sharing!
I saw your site for the first time when I was visiting PW’s recipe site and found your recipe for French Bread pizza. It was a huge hit and I still make it often. I was also thrilled to see that you hailed from the land of the frozen: Minnesota. I live in the Mpls area and loved that you were even colder than I was. LOL I know you’re elsewhere now. 🙂 (Hope you’re warmer at least now that your furnace is working!)
Anyway, my fave recipes from this year are not on either list. My family just loves your Pumpkin Spice Apple Muffins. The other one we love so much, which I don’t think is from this year is Chicken Cordon Bleu (the easy way). I’ve even served that for New Year’s Eve dinner!
Not to gush along, but when I need a recipe, I come to your site first to see “what Meg has” and usually I am not disappointed. Thanks for the awesome recipes!
Thanks, Becky! I never thought I’d say this, but I actually miss Minnesota, cold and all!
I came across your blog in the fall when I was madly searching “how to make a bat cake…the kind that flies” for my son’s 5th birthday and have been hooked ever since. From the perfected yellow cake and magical frosting recipes I started with, to all the fun Halloween ideas I made for my family, to every ‘sweet treat’ recipe I made over this Christmas season… all the thanks (and the “hey, can you share your recipe with me” comments) come back to you and your super fab blog. Seriously. You have made me love being in the kitchen again. My husband has even noticed and tells everyone about me and my new-found blog reading (and recipe-making) hobby, too. So, thank you, thank you. Truly.
Did I miss the announcement that your recipes can’t be saved to Ziplist anymore? That would be so sad!
I love this list because I don’t have time to try all your recipes, so now I know which ones to focus on. I’m feeling excited about cooking after a break while traveling over the holidays. I was in a foreign to me kitchen so I didn’t make the cinnamon rolls for Christmas even though I really wanted to. I was brave and tackled the cranberry fluff salad, and it was delicious! And I don’t know if I mentioned it previously, but you saved me on Thanksgiving. Our brined turkey was fabulous! As well as the chocolate pecan pie! You are my hero, Mel, and all my loved ones know it. I have happily referred many people your way. Thanks for all you do! Happy New Year!
P.S. I shopped from your gift guide this Christmas, and my boys are thrilled with their new games and toys. We especially like Ten Days in the USA and FastTrack. Thanks again!
That makes me so happy, Stacie!
Hi! Fabulous website!!! I was wondering if you would be willing to share your insights on curries. I know you have several recipes, but I never know what type of curry powder to use or buy so it seems to never taste right.
We have a local Thai restaurant that serves the BEST Chicken Massaman Curry with peanuts. I would love to learn how to make it.
Hi Jennifer – my favorite, favorite brand of curry powder is the Sweet Curry Powder from Penzey’s spices. Totally worth buying (I buy it in bulk so I don’t run out); the flavor is amazing and lends the best curry taste in my opinion (each brand varies so widely).
Awesome! Can you buy it online?
I have to say, I made your chicken curry last night and it was the best!!! I added about a tablespoon of chunky peanut butter and potatoes and my kids LOVED it! Now I’m off to look at your sight for healthy, make ahead meals since I go back to teaching junior high on Monday and need some yummy meals for the upcoming week. Thanks so much!
Yep, I buy my spices right from their website.
Happy New Year my friend! I want to try EVERY.SINGLE.RECIPE on both these “favorites” lists! I need to let Ryan try to make his first batch of pizza dough so your “fool proof” recipe is the one, for sure. 🙂 xo
Happy New Year Mel! I probably personally put that creamy cajun chicken pasta up there since (no exaggeration!) we’ve made it at least once a week every week since you’ve posted it and has become our new favorite pasta dish ever. I make several dinners from your blog every week and during the holidays I go crazy with your treat recipes. My neighbors think I’m obsessed with your recipes but honestly, they never fail me and your pictures are gorgeous and your blog is wonderful to read on top of it all! I can’t thank you enough for making cooking a success, you are a well known name in my household (and my neighbors too!).. I wish you and your adorable little family an amazing year and thank you again!
Thank you, Boe – that is so nice. It makes me feel all sorts of great that you love the recipes so much!
Those cinnamon rolls were life changing. We froze some and ate them today. My husband was even ok with them frozen. lol And Julianne’s and mine turned out the same. What a great recipe! And those brookie cookies are a favorite too. Of course, cream cheese banana bread;) And now I must add the best white bread ever. It’s my great grandmothers. I know you are more of a whole wheat gal, but it is so amazing. And it can make scones too! http://bellesbazaar-heather.blogspot.com/2011/09/homemade-scones.html
I can just see you and Julianne comparing cinnamon rolls, Heather. 🙂
I took the Cranberry Salsa to a party, and everyone was DYING over it! I did like the Funfetti in a mug too!
Seriously, Holly, that salsa is so weird – it makes me people get all crazy (in a good way)!
8 of those recipes are on our monthly rotation! Great round up
That’s definitely a good sign, Britney!
Mel I made Gloria’s famous cinnamon rolls, froze them, then warmed up Christmas morning. They were a total hit! My family kept saying “what time did you get up to make these? Are they fresh? They are divine and delicious. I was nervous to make them- never made them before. They turned out perfect! Thank you!!!
That’s fantastic, Ashlee! I’m so happy your first time making them was a complete success.
I am really enjoying seeing everyone’s favorite’s list. I would really really have to ponder
what would be my favorites. I like food. So just about everything appeals to me.
Yep, you and me, Carol – I like food so very much, too.
Did you really take the time and answer everybody? Sorry for being a little “stalkerish, but you are an amazing, kind person and a great cook and I appreciate what you do so, so much and my belated wish for the new year is that more people out there were like you!
You made me smile, Jane. Thanks for the nice/fun comment. I usually don’t answer every single comment (even though I want to) unless someone has a specific question but posts like this, where everyone is so appreciative and kind about the recipes – well, I just can’t help it.
Tee hee, I contributed at least 10 times to that salsa post… as I looked it up, then had to look it up again in the store because I forgot my shopping list, then looked it up again while cooking, then looked it up AGAIN because I closed the browser tab on my phone, then looked it up again as I switched to a tablet… then looked it up to share the recipe with my friends… etc. (And by the way, it indeed get a great reception at Thanksgiving in place of the long-held tradition of cranberry jello salad!) 😀
So happy you loved that one, Sarah! And as a sidenote how did we ever grocery shop without a smart phone??
I am a computer programmer and still… I NEVER imagined that I would come to depend so much on my “phone” 🙂 !
I’ve looked up ingredients and substitutions so many times and as I live a 30 mile round trip from the grocery…the darn “phone” has saved me many times.
I meant to add a huge Thank you!! – your heart, warmth and generosity fill each post and each response.
I don’t know how you do it, but am glad that you do to whatever degree you can as time goes on…kids in more activities, etc.
Best, best wishes for a healthy, happy and blessed 2015 for you and your entire family!
Thank you so much, Liz!
Just wanted to say Thank You at the close of this year Mel for your fabulous blog- I look/cook something from this blog pretty much every day. As a busy mom of 4 myself, I just thank you from the bottom of my heart! May 21015 find you happy and healthy-
Misty
(Your Aunt Jeanette’s neighbor! 🙂
Thanks, Misty! Hope our paths cross someday what with you living next to one of my favorite aunts and all!
Oooooooh! I would love that! Let me know when you are in my neck of the woods!
I love the Thai Crunch Salad and your Vanilla Funfetti Mug Cake. I can’t wait to try the Pear Crisp and the Blueberry and Almond Baked Steel Cut Oats. My husband’s favorite this year was definitely the Chewy Italian Rolls. He loves them! He is a Panini with extra cheese kind of a guy, so I used the Chewy Italian Roll recipe to make paninis for Father’s Day. He says that is the best meal I have ever made – and still talks about them. Those Chewy Italian Rolls are divine as written, we have tried subbing more wheat flour (half wheat/half white) and they are still really good. I love your blog!
That’s pretty high praise from your hubby, Trisha! The funny thing is that when I was choosing my 2014 faves, those Italian rolls almost made the cut. Can’t wait to make them as paninis!
The Chopped Thai Crunch Salad is probably my favorite of your favorites…I fix it all the time! Oh, and I asked my hubby for the earrings that were on your favorites list before Christmas. I love them! 🙂 I’m so happy to have “discovered” you this year! Happy New Year!
Oh, I love that, Sharri! So happy you like the earrings. Clearly we are kindred spirits as we sport the same earrings whilst eating our favorite Thai salad!
You tutorial on how to cook pizza is life changing!! Really, I love that!!! Your Monster Bars were also a hit at this house! Love all of your recipes and am going to have to try a few of these on the list
Thanks, Jessica! Really good homemade pizza is revolutionary, don’t you think?
We love your pork verde for parties and I am addicted to your broccoli salad – also never using raisins! 🙂
I have been cooking for 25+ years with more recipes than I could make in a lifetime but I still love checking your site for inspiration. Your recipes are so creative and it’s easy to tell by just reading them that you have perfected them to be foolproof for others. Thank you!
That was so nice, thank you, Julie!
Thank you for another year of wonderful, delicious cooking! You, yourself, through your efforts to continually improve your cooking and keep up this website, have absolutely improved my family’s eating, both in tastiness and healthiness, as well as my personal enjoyment of cooking. Thank you! Happy New Year, Mel!
P.S. I bought my husband an top-of-the-line food processor for Christmas. He likes to cook too and our first one was small and wimpy. I’m so excited for the difference it will make in our dinner preparation!
Thank you, Catherine! You have been so loyal over the years! Have fun with that brand spanking new food processor…I bet the difference will be crazy awesome.
Those no bake chocolate granola bites and the chocolate pudding are sooo good! We make your skillet ham and pasta and your crispy southwest chicken wraps monthly. They are constants in our diets 🙂 among lots of other of your amazing recipes. Thanks Mel! Happy New year to you and yours!
Thanks, Jen! Always love seeing your comments pop up – I love that ham and pasta dish, too! It’s an oldie but a goodie.
I would add the chocolate pretzel pudding pie to the lists. I made two over the holidays and we devoured them in no time. The last thing I made from your site was the cranberry fluff. I ate it for breakfast Christmas morning along with your sausage breakfast casserole. My family is always happy when I make a “Mel” recipe!
Ok, I totally agree with you on that one, Teresa. I made that pie recipe (I 1 1/2’d the recipe) into a 9X13-inch pan last week and it was awesome like that, too.
Yes to the Cream Cheese Banana Bread!!! That’s maybe my favorite from the past year. From both lists, we also love the Quick and Easy Pizza Dough, and the Chicken Curry in a Hurry. I haven’t tried a lot of the rest, so I’d better get to it. Thanks for your wonderful recipes!!
I also wanted to say that we started one of your Christmas traditions in our home this year. You posted last Christmas about wrapping 24 Christmas books, and opening 1 each night leading up to Christmas. I’ve finally purchased enough books to do that next year. Most are the story of Jesus’ birth, but I have a son named Frankie, so I did buy “An Orange For Frankie” which I got from your list. This year we read through a lot of the ones I bought, but I didn’t wrap them. Next year, I’ll be ready! Thanks for the wonderful idea.
P.S. My favorites would also include the Pesto Marinated Grilled Chicken and the Glazed Fruit Salad!! We love those recipes!!!!
Awesome, Raquel! That is hands down my kids’ favorite tradition. They teased me this year (ok, every year) because I always cry in the story about Frankie. I hope you like it!
Whew! I cried when I read it, too! 🙂 And yes, I really liked it. Thanks.
I always enjoy your posts! And just so you know, I ordered several of those Amazon gift ideas for my son, and he totally loves them!! You had some wonderful ideas!
Thanks, Jaren! I hope the gifts were a hit with your son!
Sleeping queens is AWESOME!!!! Thanks for the recommendation.
Yay! Glad you love that one, Heather – we just played an epic 15 rounds last night (no kidding).
OH wait, not sure if it’s from this year, but your chili verde is AWESOME!
I think the bahn mi sandwiches are my favorite from this year — so different yet easy and all of my kids loved it. Just bought the ingredients again to make this week! Chicken curry in a hurry is also easy and fantastic. I’ve been wanting to try the lightened up cajun pasta. On a side note, my husband and I were dying for some chocolate last night, so we made your nutella chocolate mug cakes …. yum! Those did the trick and he was amazed that it came together 🙂
Those nutella mug cakes are so perfect for a quick dessert fix, Stefanie! I have a new recipe I’m posting soon for another chocolate chip mug cake that, believe it or not, is maybe even better.
I have tried many of these recipes, and have loved them all. Your recipes are always delicious! Wishing you and your beautiful family a Happy New Year, Mel!
Thank you, Kim! I am so grateful for your love and loyalty and support over the years. Happy New Year!
Funny, because the “Your Favorites” I haven’t made at all, but I have made a few of “Mel’s Favorites.” Wondering if we have similar taste buds. I love your blog and it is my all time favorite. Do you post on a regular basis- like every Tuesday and Thursday? I could figure that out, or you could just enlighten me. Keep it up Mel!
I’d love to enlighten but it’s always changing. Usually I post Mon, We’d and Fri with an occasional extra post thrown in but I’ll probably be posting a bit less come January. Maybe Mon and Wed, not quite sure yet. Seeking that elusive perfect blog/life balance. 🙂
Excited to see what you have up your sleeve in 2015!! The chicken philly sandwiches and pao de queijo are some of our faves. I might be single handedly responsible for putting the cinnamon rolls on the readers favorites list. I think I have looked at that recipe daily since you originally posted it. I have never made homemade cinnamon rolls, but think I have finally worked up the courage to tacklle a 1/2 batch of those lovelies before I return to work on Monday morning! Had your Ultimate Slow Cooker Stroganhoff for dinner tonight and your thick and chewy gingerbread cookies and sugar cookie bars graced my Christmas cookie platter. Apparently my family would go hungry had I not stumbled upon your site three years ago. 🙂
Thanks, Anne! Can’t wait to hear how the cinnamon rolls turn out. You can do it!
We love the Banh Mi Sandwiches and Chicken Curry in a Hurry! Looking at this list, I also have a few more new dishes to try. Thanks for making me look like a rockstar in the kitchen, and for all of the time and love you put into sharing your recipes. Whenever I bring one of your dishes to dinners with friends or other activities I always have people asking for the recipe. Happy New Year to you and your family!
Thanks, Alicia, you are so sweet.
WHAT! I haven’t made a single one of these! My to do list just got really long.
Sounds like me, Sidney – always TOO many recipes to try!
Love the round up Mel! Hope you have a wonderful new year!
Thanks, Millie!
I’m really glad that I discovered your blog. I have pinned so many of your recipes. Your caramels were a big hit as Christmas gifts– I made the Black Licorice (my fave), chocolate and I adapted this to make salted vanilla bean caramels. Awesome! I made the Maple Pork tenderloin, which was also delicious…oh, and the Orange Sweet Rolls… I’m still trying to work off the extra pounds from devouring those. I look forward to seeing what you come up with for the coming year.
Thank you! Those black licorice caramels are my favorite variation, too (favorite enough that I have a hard time wanting to gift them!).
Hi Mel. I just can’t tell you what an inspiration you’ve been to me personally. I have loved to cook since I began staying home with my oldest son 11 years ago. Two more baby boys came along and my love only grew. Since I’ve found your site, I love it even more. At Christmas, I made the creamy confetti corn and the cranberry fluff salad. Both very delicious! And, on Christmas morning, we celebrated with the perfect cinnamon rolls. And, my husband gifted me with the very same skillet that you use, saying that “this is Mel’s recommendation!” Thank you so much for putting so much work into this site, it is such a blessing to me and so many others. All the best for 2015.
Love that your husband gave you a skillet from my list of favorites! Thanks for the sweet comment!
Your favorites match up better with our favorites, although I would have to add Butterfinger Cookies to the mix. They have taken over our lives! I now buy Butterfingers by the bulk and make quadruple batches. I have learned to freeze the cookie dough balls because my boys cravings for the cookies hits fast and hard! Even my teenager who doesn’t love sweets ate 3 dozen Christmas Eve and Christmas. The kids request a food to have in the house on Christmas and that was his. This is the child that usually requests wings. Butterfinger Cookies for lyfe!
How did I forget about those? You are right, they are divine.
I make your slow cooker chicken philly sandwiches regularly–glad to see they made the list! So yummy and easy.
Easy meals like that are a dream; glad you love them. Thanks, Rachel!
Since I never miss a post, this is fun to see what everyone’s favorites are/were and what yours are/were…. I personally can’t pick a favorite. I love every post.. food related and otherwise and It’s always a pick-me-up in my day to read what you have to say about what you post and why. Thanks for making my life a little better and much yummier by sharing a little of your world with the cyber-world.
It’s kind of like picking a favorite child, right? Thanks for the sweet comment, Helen!