Your favorite recipe of 2015
Gallo Pinto (Costa Rican Beans and Rice)
This year, some of my friends of Costa Rican heritage have been teaching me their families’ recipes. It’s been such a fun learning process and I’ve discovered a real love of Costa Rican cuisine!
First up was this Gallo Pinto, and according to my site statistics, you loved learning about this traditional Costa Rican dish as much as I did. Not only was it my most-viewed recipe of 2015, but it’s also my most “Yummed” (saved to Yummly users’ recipe boxes) recipe ever. A fantastic dish, especially with fried eggs for breakfast! Pura vida!
My favorite recipe of 2015
French Potato Salad with Baby Arugula
I’ve been all about the vinaigrette-based dishes this year and I was so excited to share my recipe for French Potato Salad with you over the summer. It’s such a light, fresh alternative to mayo-based salads that’s especially convenient for entertaining.
Trickiest to Photograph
Roasted Cauliflower and Goat Cheese Soufflés
I had something of my own “deflate-gate” in the Striped Spatula kitchen this year. These soufflés were delicious, but photographing the scorching-hot ramekins in all of their puffed glory was a challenge. In order to capture them from different angles before they deflated, I staggered my baking times so that two soufflés would emerge from the oven every 5 minutes. When the timer went off, my friends and family (including the dog) knew to stay out of my way. I had limited time to set up the scene and snap the photo!
Thankfully, it all worked out in the end, and the post also resulted in finding my favorite Instagram hashtag of 2015: #holla4thecolla!
Favorite Food Nerd Experience
This year’s edition of Ground’s for Sculpture‘s annual fundraiser was a fantastic afternoon. I spent the day on a food nerd adventure, tasting small plates and sips from some of the region’s best chefs and beverage purveyors.
I knew it would be a fun event, but I didn’t expect my blog post about it to lead to some really great professional opportunities, including being invited to join the Jersey Bites team as a contributor. It was a real highlight of my year!
Almost didn’t happen
Hi there, I’m Amanda, I run a food blog, and I burn avocados.
I’ve made this recipe more times than I can count, but the day I decided to photograph it for the blog, the phone rang with a pressing matter as soon as I put the avocados on the grill. (Of course!) I thought I returned in a short enough time, but let’s just say: apparently not. I charred those poor avocados to oblivion!
Thankfully, I was able to scrape them for an un-photographed bowl of guac and had some extra avocados in my produce drawer to re-grill for the photos.
Forever in our hearts: Chloe, the Striped Spatula Mini Dachshund
Sadly, our family lost our very best friend to cancer earlier this month. Though her small size and spirited personality made her look like a puppy, Chloe was 15 years old!
She loved the aromas that came out of our kitchen when I was cooking for the blog and often camped out in front of the oven. She knew that the sound of the 1-minute warning timer meant that the food was almost ready. She’d actually get up and lead me to the kitchen when she heard it. The best dog!
It’s been a delicious year on the blog, and it wouldn’t have been possible without you, my readers! I am so grateful to all of you for joining me on this journey. I’m planning a site redesign with some fun new features in 2016 and can’t wait to share a new collection of recipes.
I wish you and your families all the best for a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2016. See you next year!
(Recipes featured in lead photo, from top, clockwise: Roasted Radishes with Tarragon Vinaigrette, Beef Tenderloin with Cognac Cream Sauce, Delicata Squash with Brown Butter Vinaigrette, Parmesan Duchess Potatoes, Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Sauce, Carrot Cake with Orange Curd)
Erin @ Thanks for Cookin'! says
Thank you so much for sharing that souffle story! I made my first no churn ice cream this weekend and the photo sesh was the most annoying ever! So frustrating…but we all go through it don’t we? :)
Julia @ bavarianpicure says
I love the souffles, but to be honest everything looks yummy! Great recap of the year
Dini @ The Flavor Bender says
That cauliflower and goat cheese souffle looks AMAZING!!
I am so sorry about Chloe – it’s never easy losing a pet :(
Meghan | Fox and Briar says
This is a really fun post! I’m glad the grilled guacamole worked out because it is such a cool idea! And I’m sorry about losing your pup, it is heartbreaking to lose our pets.
Ashleigh says
All of these recipes look so good, thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to see what’s posted in 2016!!
Christine | Vermilion Roots says
What a fun post. Feels like I know the cook behind the blog better now. I’m glad the grilled avocado made it!
Amanda {Striped Spatula} says
Happy New Year, everyone, thanks for your comments!
Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations says
It all looks so yummy! I love the story about taking the soufflé pictures, so funny! :-)
Amanda {Striped Spatula} says
It definitely was a bit of a soufflé circus around here that day, Justine! :)
Jamie | Sugar & Wine says
So many good recipes to try! That French Potato Salad is amazing through. I love alternatives to traditional potato salad, which ironically I’m not a huge fan of. Glad you had such a great year! Cheers to 2016!
Jenn says
Cute idea for a post! I can see why the Cuban Bean and Rice was the favorite. It looks delicious!
Mary says
Happy New Year :) Your Gallo Pinto is pinned– will be great for the vegetarians and omnivores in my house (always looking for recipes that will satisfy both!). The souffles will be just the thing for the new ramekins I got for Christmas.
Molly Kumar says
OMG, so many delicious recipes and love the Cauliflower Goat Cheese Souffles & Chloe looks utterly adorable.
Amanda {Striped Spatula} says
Thank you, Molly, she was the sweetest dog!
Melissa says
They all look amazing! Love, love Duchess Potatoes!
cheryl@neuroticbaker says
The grilled guac looks super yummy!