2014 Highlights: Best Recipes and Memories from a Pretty Amazing Year

Posted on Jan 14th, 2015

by Johanna

Categories:

Uncategorized

As I’ve done each year (2013, 2012), I want to take a moment to look back on all 2014 has had to offer. It’s been an awesome year, full of fun, friends and adventure. While there’s no denying that change is hard, I’m excited about the new beginnings 2015 promises to bring. It’s also been another good year in eating. Many of my favorite recipes come from my month of Whole30 and experimenting with my CSA, others were inspired by Leftovers Club and Cookbook Club. And to sum up my philosophy on good food and adventure: you only live once, never thing twice about asking for seconds.

Top 14 Recipes from 2014:

Spaghetti Squash with Swiss Chard, Spiced Nuts, Tahini Tomato Sauce and a Fried Egg
“I’m telling you, this truly ranks right up there with some of the best meals I’ve ever made.”

Vegan Citrus Quinoa Plate with Glazed Tempeh and Avoacado Cream
Deemed restaurant worthy. Delicious and downright beautiful.

Plantain Nachos
Anddd tortilla chips are officially obsolete.

Waffle Sliders with Pulled Pork, Bacon and Maple Mayonnaise
The picture says it all.

Chicken Plantain Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing
The textures and flavors in this dish go together beautifully.

Okra Parmigiana
A lot of work, but worth every minute of it! I was so excited about the leftovers that I threatened the dogs for just looking at my plate the wrong way.

Smoked Salmon, Spinach and Avocado Breakfast Scramble Over Sweet Potato Hash
The best breakfast ever, if only I had the time to make it every day.

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Zucchini topped with Melted Cheese, Bacon and an Avocado Blue Cheese Dressing
Some recipes I see and immediately know I’m going to love. Like this one that combines pretty much all my favorite things.

Mediterranean Pasta with Creamy Eggplant Sauce
I didn’t think it was possible to make this baba ghanoush any more delicious, but that was before I stirred it into my pasta. Pureed eggplant gives the pasta dish a certain creaminess without actually using cream and the smokiness really comes through and pairs extremely well with Mediterranean ingredients.

BBQ Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole
This BBQ Chicken casserole is A-MAZZING. Although a little heavy on the cheese, it’s gluten-free, low-carb and packed with vegetables.

Roasted Hubbard Squash and Caramelized Onion Galette with Fontina Cheese
Galettes are great, because they’re rustically beautiful but much easier to make than a traditional lattice pie crust. Plus, your options for fillings are truly endless! The roasted squash and caramelized onions were the perfect flavors for Fall.

Paleo Pastelón: Puerto Rican Sweet Plantain Casserole
I think I actually preferred this paleo version to the original. Same great taste, but without the heavy dose of cheese and MSG, I can feel good about eating the leftovers all week!

Homemade Fig Newtons
Not too difficult to make, and far superior to their store bought counterpart!

Coconut Chai Chocolate Chunk Cookies
I absolutely adored the texture of these cookies, super chewy and almost like an oatmeal cookie thanks to the coconut. The chai and dark chocolate are icing on the cake.