Countdown to 2015: Top 10 Reader Favorites of 2014

These are my ten most visited recipes for 2014. I've never compiled a list of my most "popular" posts. First, there's always the burning question, do I prorate the visits? As a wannabe statistician, do I need to age the data to account for more time having passed?

Then there's the issue of bots and spammers who account for about half of the traffic to blogs. My blog's platform doesn't really distinguish between real and fake visitors when giving me visitor statistics. Thank goodness for Google Analytics (are you falling asleep at this point?).

I am fascinated by which posts take off and which posts kind of languish without attention. It doesn't really change what I do here, because I like to make and post about food that we will actually eat. My favorite thing is to challenge myself to try new techniques.

And of course, bake bread.

Blogging about food has been an amazing creative avocation, and the best part has been "meeting" simply wonderful people who share my interest in food, cooking, and writing about food and cooking.

I added up the numbers and decided that prorating and aging the data was way too much trouble. Here's list of your top ten favorite recipes of 2014 (plus a bonus).

1. Sourdough Polenta (Grits) Bread 
2. Bouchon Bakery Shortbread Cookies
3. Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Taleggio Cheese
4. Caramelized Onion and Shallot Braided Bread with Gruyere
5. Jalapeño Cheddar Coins
6. Salted Peanut Caramel Sauce 
7. Slow Cooker Asian Glazed Wings
8. Individual Potatoes au Gratin
9. Roasted Vegetable Focaccia
10. Garlic Gruyere Pain de Campagne Boule
11. Section Challah 

My New Year's blogging resolution? To finally get a logo and to learn Lightroom. Please hold me accountable. 

This year, Sarah of Fantastical Sharing of Recipes and Secret Recipe Club is hosting a round up some of the best recipes of 2014. Visit her blog to see what other bloggers have contributed to this Best of 2014 round up.

Countdown to 2015: My 10 Best Dessert Recipes of 2014

These are my top 10 dessert posts from 2014. When I compiled this list, I realized I need to expand my dessert world. There are an awful lot of cookies on this list. It's probably because there are just two of us in this house.

With cookies, I can either pack the leftovers into my grandkid's lunches and take the rest to work. They also keep longer.

My 10 favorite dessert recipes of 2014 (that I made) are:

• Buttery ginger shortbread cookies - I love, love, love shortbread.
• Glazed doughnut cookies - an Italian treat that can be decorated for any holiday.
• Chocolate espresso white chocolate chunk cookies - the name says it all.
• Vanilla sprinkle cookies - sprinkles!!!
• Chocolate coconut macadamia nut ice cream - I need to make more ice cream!
• Chocolate hazelnut sables - such an elegant little cookie.
• Witch fingers - scare the children.
• Peanut butter thumbprint cookies with salted peanut caramel filling - the caramel sauce is divine. 
• Cranberry crackle tart - this is so good. Go buy cranberries now and make this. 
• Chocolate cheesecake brownies - chocolate and cheesecake, right?

This year, Sarah of Fantastical Sharing of Recipes and Secret Recipe Club is hosting a round up some of the best recipes of 2014. Visit her blog to see what other bloggers have contributed to this dessert round up.

Brioche Flower with Cherry Preserves

This Brioche Flower with cherry preserves can be made with any sweet or savory filling. I used cherry preserves, which went perfectly with the brioche dough.

Countdown to 2015: Best Appetizer Recipes of 2014

These are my favorite appetizers from 2014. They are wonderful for any dinner party. Some are easy, others are a bit more complicated, but all of these are tasty.

My favorite appetizers for 2014 are....

• Black Pepper Taralli - A little southern Italian pretzel that you can make ahead. They go wonderfully with wine. 
• Scallop and Pesto Purses - An impressive but easy appetizer that you can assemble in advance and bake just before serving.
• Jalapeño Cheddar Coins - A savory cookie that can be made in advance, and then sliced and baked as needed. They are excellent with cocktails. 
• Greek Salad Skewers - Cucumber, feta, tomatoes, and Kalamata olives. All you need is a toothpick. Easy!
• Mini Maryland Crab Cakes - Really easy, really good. They would also make excellent sliders.
• Hoisin Beef and Scallion Rolls - Meat lovers will thank you. 
• Thai-flavored Pork Belly Skewers - I am so in love with these. This was my first time trying pork belly (except bacon of course), and now I get it. So good. 

This year, Sarah of Fantastical Sharing of Recipes and Secret Recipe Club is hosting a round up some of the best recipes of 2014. Visit her blog to see what other bloggers have contributed to this appetizer and snack round up.

Countdown to 2015: (My) Best Main Courses of 2014

These are my favorite main courses from 2014. I would make each of these again without reservation. I would (and have) serve them for guests, and I would (and have) make them just for me. They are that good (and foolproof).

My favorites main courses from 2014 include the following:

• Cranberry horseradish pan fried steak - so quick and easy
• Stir-fried ginger tomato beef - this is oh-em-gee good
• Apple and ham pizza - you need to give pizza a try, this one is amazing
• Spicy dry fried beef - healthy goodness
• Skillet pizza - this is about the easiest way to make artisan pizza ever
• Cashew chicken - once you make this, you will feel like a stir-fry maven
• Five spice chicken with sugar snap peas -"only" 13 ingredients, but totally worth it
• Crispy soy chicken - one of my favorite recipes for cooking a whole chicken
• Beef and sweet potato stir fry - so lean and healthy
• Sichuan pork with peppers and peanuts - super easy stir-fry
• Tropical pork and pineapple kebabs - another healthy and lean dish
• Maggi steak banh mi with daikon and carrot pickle - banh mi, where have you been all of my life? 
• Individual baked macaroni and cheese - just because.....

This year, Sarah of Fantastical Sharing of Recipes and Secret Recipe Club is hosting a round up some of the best recipes of 2014. Visit her blog to see what other bloggers have contributed to this main course round up.

Countdown to 2015: Best Crockpot Recipes of 2014

Slow cooker meals are just about the best comfort food. They are perfect for the summer, when you don't want to turn on the oven, and perfect for the winter, when you want a meal that will take off the chill.

My favorites from 2014 are these Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Baby Back Ribs, these Slow Cooker Asian Glazed Wings, these Slow Cooker Asian Beef Short Ribs, and this Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Stew.

This year, Sarah of Fantastical Sharing of Recipes and Secret Recipe Club is hosting a round up some of the best recipes of 2014. Visit her blog to see what other bloggers have contributed to this crockpot round up.

Carrot and Cauliflower Puree with Browned Butter

This Carrot and Cauliflower Puree was the perfect side dish for Christmas dinner this year.

It was my turn to host the annual family Christmas Eve soiree. On the dinner menu? Ribeye roast beef, red wine dijon cream sauce, spinach gratin, goat cheese mashed potatoes (contributed by my cousin), and this carrot and cauliflower puree.