A Year in Review

 

Cheers to the New Year

As the old year comes to a close, I enjoy looking back at which recipes on sockfairies.blogpsot.com resonated with you. I also have some of my own favorites discovered along the way of looking back. See if any of your favorites made the list. Be sure to leave your comments in the box below the posting.

JANUARY  2023

COTTAGE CHEESE AND EGG BREAKFAST MUFFINS 

WITH A MANGO BANANA SMOOTHIE

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/01/blog-post.html

February 2023

OVEN BAKED RISOTTO WITH ASPARAGUS

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/02/oven-baked-garlic-parmesan-cheese.html

MARCH 2023

MAPLE GLAZED BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND BEET SALAD

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/03/maple-glazed-butternut-squash-and-beet.html

APRIL 2023

AMARETTO TORTONI

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/04/amaretto-tortoni.html

MAY 2023

CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-grand-finale.html

JUNE 2023

RHUBARB STRAWBERRY ALMOND BARS

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/06/rhubarb-strawberry-bars.html

JULY 2023

BLUEBERRY COFFEE CAKE

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/07/blueberry-almond-coffeecake.html

AUGUST 2023 

HAM CHEESE CORNBREAD TOPPERS

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/08/summer-vibes.html

SEPTEMBER 2023

ROASTED TOMATO BASIL SOUP WITH PEPPERONI ROLLS 

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/08/summer-vibes.html

OCTOBER 2023

ROASTED VEGETABLE AUTUMN MEDLEY

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/10/cozy-fall-sides.html

NOVEMBER 2023

CRANBERRY PEAR APPLE WITH GINGERSNAP CRUMBLE

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/11/cranberry-pear-apple-with-gingersnap.html

DECEMBER 2023

ESPRESSO TOFFEE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/11/espresso-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

If you are wondering out of this 2023 list of 12 recipes which came in at #1

it was Espresso Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies with Oven Baked Risotto as a close second. I follow several linky blogsites and occasionally my recipes have been featured on them. These cookie and risotto recipes were winners.     

Now it's time to turn the page

For last year's words

Belong to last year's language

And next year's words

Await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning

T.S. Elliot

 

Looking for some lighter meals? Let's begin with a flavorful healthy salad that can be paired with a meat entree or served as a light main meal. 

Vegetable Medley

Asparagus, snap peas, radishes, mushrooms, and tomatoes are the stars on the platter. A balsamic vinaigrette drizzle compliments the veggies. 

Cook's notes: Recipe adapted from eatingwell.com and serves 4.
Some optional add-ins to the salad include ciliegine (mini mozzarella balls) and halved strawberries
Salad Ingredients:

• 1/2 bunch asparagus, cut off asparagus spears from the bottom about 4 inches up
• 2 cups sugar snap peas
• 1-2 cups radishes, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped scallion
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup fresh white mushrooms, diced
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup Herb Mediterranean Feta Crumbles or mini marinated mozzarella balls
• 1/2 cup toasted walnuts or almonds
• Store-bought package of Parm Crisps

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Ingredients:

• 2-3 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Sea salt and ground pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup dark good quality balsamic (I splurged and used dark chocolate balsamic-so good)
• ½ cup good quality olive oil
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste

Salad Directions:

• Fill a medium bowl with ice water and place it in the sink. Bring water to a boil in a large pot.
• Place asparagus and snap peas in boiling water. Lower heat to medium-high and boil until al dente for about 1-2 minutes. Drain snap peas and asparagus using a colander. Place veggies in an ice bowl of water for 1 minute. Drain again.
• Add cooked asparagus, snap peas, sliced radishes, and tomatoes in a bowl. Drizzle with dressing and top the salad with crumbled feta cheese, toasted almonds or walnuts, and Parm Crisps, serve immediately.

Vinaigrette Dressing Directions:

• Mix balsamic dressing ingredients in a blender. Taste test to balance ingredients transfer to a screw-type jar and refrigerate until serving. Reshake the jar and refrigerate any leftovers.