Another year to say goodbye to, crazy how time flies! Do you remember when you were younger, and your were told, “enjoy every moment now because when you get older the days fly by?” Boy that really wasn’t a joke!
With all the happiness that 2011 had to offer, there were many challenges. Honestly, I am looking forward to saying goodbye to 2011, and opening my arms wide to what 2012 has to offer:-)
Tonight several food bloggers have come together for a fun virtual New Year’s Eve party! I continue to be inspired by all of them, they are truly fantastic!
So what better way to get the party started….. I will be bringing the happy dances, you know I love my happy dances! A party is never complete until someone breaks out in a dance:-)
I am not one for making New Year’s resolutions….but I do enjoy setting some fun goals! Next year I plan to continue building on my photography, and editing, (I will be getting a new toy to help with that.) I also plan on continuing my 52 ways to use Chobani Greek yogurt, nope I haven’t forget that! I also want to try new things, like make puff pastry, make croissants, a souffle’, and even learn how to decorate a cake with flowers and all. I love challenging myself!
To kick off 2012 right, here are your top 12 recipes from 2011!
Number 12 is fun, and something that brought back found memories. The French-Canadian Tourtiere is a dish traditionally served during the holidays, usually in a pie pan. Well you know me, I like changing things up a bit. Instead I made the Tourtiere into an individual hand pie.
Recipe eleven was the second time I made bread pudding. I took a spin on an old favorite, and added in some diced apples. The Apple Craisin Bread Pudding had a perfect mix of textures, and it was packed full of flavor!
Don’ t you just love a happy accident? Recipe ten, a fun accident opened my eyes to the endless possibilities that baking has to offer! I love making a recipe my own, but this time the muffin took a wrong turn and became crumble……a delicious crumble! A happy accident, or also known as The Serendipity Muffin!
For recipe nine, in 2011, I started teaching myself how to bake gluten free and vegan recipes. The discovery I made, gluten free and vegan recipes are DELICIOUS!!! It is definitely not easy to make a dish gluten free if you have never done it before. It may not be easy, but so worth the challenge.
I had the opportunity to try coconut oil and coconut flour from Tropical Traditions. I made a few fun recipes with the products. Next I will be sharing something with coconut peanut butter, so excited to share! When I made these brownies, I really didn’t expect them to turn out…seriously! It took me two tries to get them right……then I had several friends wanting more of them, love that! Here is a Honey I’m Home Coconut Fudge Brownies, a recipe that is sure to put a smile on any chocolate lovers face!
Recipe eight – Red beans and rice is a perfect comfort food, full of flavor from sausage, chicken, and even ham. Since I am not a huge meat lover, I wanted to keep the flavor, but exclude the meat. Vegetarian Red Beans and Rice = DELICIOUS!!!
In the blog world we have virtual parties, virtual celebrations, virtual love! Last year there was a virtual pie party, oh the pie love that was shared everywhere was beyond amazing! I decided to make a gluten free treat, but wasn’t for sure what to make exactly….
While scooping out my puppies food for her dinner, I looked up and saw a cantaloupe sitting on my counter. My mind was….”Hmmmm…I wonder if you can make pie with melon?” Well of course you can, we food bloggers can do anything right?
Recipe seven was full of almond flavor in the crust, the filling, and even the meringue! Almond Melon Meringue Pie is a fun treat during the summer time heat!
My first attempt at bread pudding, and now a new love! My thought was, “where have you been all my life!” Bread pudding is pretty fantastic, but then you add some bananas, and maybe a pinch of cardamom, AND BAM you have love!
Recipe six I shared over at Cooking With Books, Banana Chocolate Bread Pudding with Cardamom! I even made this recipe when working at the cafe, it was a hit!
Sometimes plums just need a little attention, or maybe a lot! Why not try a new way to enjoy a upside-down cake? Try some delicious summer stone fruit, and maybe some fun sorghum molasses in the topping. This cake was moist, and wellllll… disappeared from my home rather quickly.
Recipe six was shared over at Queen City Exclusive where I contribute recipes. Plum Upside-Down Cake perfect for a party, or just because.
The best cookie EVER in the world? My vote is always a snickerdoodle cookie! BUT not just any old snickerdoodle cookie, it has to be my Grammy’s recipe!
Recipe four was made possible, because my sweet Grandma shared her famous Snickerdoodle Cookie recipe. Growing up she would make each of her Grand kids their favorite cookie. My Sissy’s favorite was her Molasses cookies, Meggie’s favorite was her Chocolate Chip cookies, Ty and I went crazy over Grandma’s Snickerdoodle Cookies!
Recipe three was chosen by you for sure, this post was really given a lot of love! I have never made candy before, so candy corn was a perfect first time experience! The original recipe was a vegan recipe. I love finding recipes that are easy to change to your taste and liking.
When my husband ate a piece, he said, “this is just like the store bought candy corn….but better!” Homemade Candy Corn is a fun treat loved during the holiday season…..but then again who doesn’t like candy?
This next recipe comes in second place, just like I did in a fun recipe contest! I was so excited when I recieved the email that I had placed second. They told me they were impressed with how I put the secret ingredient in each element of my dish. They also let me know how much they enjoyed this unique muffin.
If you look up above, you will find all the recipes I have been creating with Chobani Greek Yogurt. I am still working on 52 ways to use this creamy dreamy treat! This recipe was made with blueberry Chobani, instead of eggs or milk.
Recipe two – Sweet Corn Blueberry Muffin, a dense, sweet muffin, with a roasted corn crumble top!
AND the number one recipe of 2011 deserves a little celebration, maybe a happy dance too! When I created the almond melon meringue pie, I had honeydew sitting on my counter too. Sooooo….I had to make a pie with honeydew melon, I HAD TO!
The first time I made it, I deflated the meringue because of the citrus I added to the egg whites. I love learning! With baking you learn something every time you bake a fun, a easy, or even just a basic recipe, you will learn something.
After I made this recipe for Queen City Exclusive, I received a call that would brighten my year! I was going to have a recipe in a book, A BOOK!!!! AND the best part, I am included in a book with several very talented Chef’s of Charlotte!
Recipe one – Melon Lime Meringue Pie is in the book Signature Tastes of Charlotte. Thank you to Elizabeth and Queen City Exclusive for including me in such an amazing opportunity! You can purchase the book Tastes of Charlotte here.
Thank you to all my devoted followers, CafeTerraBlog continues to grow because of you! I truly appreciate your love and support!
Thank you to Lora from Cake Duchess, and Sanjeeta from LiteBite for hosting this fabulous virtual party!
Thank you to Junia from Mis Pensamientos for coordinating all the lovely bloggers!
Thank you to Heather from Farmgirl Gourmet for making that gorgeous logo you see at the top of my post!
*Raise your glass high* Cheers my friends!
I love what my husband shared, it is a line from the series M.A.S.H. From the words of Colonel Sherman T. Potter, “Here’s to the New Year. May she be a damn site better than the old one, and may we all be home before she’s done.”
Until next time, Come on in, Have a seat,
Hugs, Terra
