2016 top 10 posts on Caroline’s Cooking (& a few favorites)

So 2016 is almost over – where has the year gone?! It’s been busy here, but we have definitely eaten some great food, as I was reminded when I was looking over posts for this 2016 top 10 posts on Caroline’s Cooking. There’s been a little bit of everything and I think the top 10 posts reflect that. Some of the most popular were not actually posted in 2016 but seem to be long-term favorites. Without further ado, here are the top 10 (with a couple of my own favorites too).

Sweet treats

Everyone likes the odd sweet treat now and then, although if you are in any way a regular here, you’ll know I try to make most things on the healthier side. That’s reflected in the most popular posts, which include my cracker and strawberry yogurt parfait and sugar free date and oatmeal cookies (an older but always popular recipe). My British scones maybe weren’t quite as healthy, but they are a classic and made a little better when paired with my low sugar strawberry chia jam. (I did share some healthier scones, too, like carrot cake scones and coconut & coffee gluten free scones, both some of our personal favorites). All quick and easy, all tasty.

Easy, satisfying mains

Main meals that are quick to make are another feature of the 2016 top 10 posts. My apple squash and pork skillet, vietnamese-style pork and rice bowl and bacon sundried tomato pasta with spinach and cream were all in the top 10. It’s not surprising, really, that tasty meals that are made in under 30 minutes are a hit.

International flavors

We love meals inspired by our travels or in lieu of traveling, and that seems to be popular with you too. Some older posts that are eternally popular (and for good reason) and fit this space were in the top 10. Beefed-up shakshuka is always a winning dish, and we’ve loved serving it to guests again this year too. Porchetta, Italian roast pork, is such a classic and we really should have it again soon. Then a newer post, youvetsi (Greek lamb or beef and orzo stew), reminded us of our travels to Greece and we’ve enjoyed it many times this year. All take a little longer than some of the other dishes above, but they are not difficult and the flavors are amazing.

Finally, the last of the top 10 is my roasted apple and acorn squash soup. It’s so incredibly easy to make and tasty too.

While I loved all of these, there were also a couple more that didn’t make the top 10 that were some personal favorites. Romesco de peix (Catalan fish stew) is one my husband will always request given the chance and has been loved by everyone that have tried it. My Meyer lemon cookies were also really popular, both with us and with you, they just didn’t quite make the top 10. While on sweeter dishes, I started the year with some delicious dessert gnocchi and have loved the cakes I have made more recently, like the clementine cake with cranberry glaze. And let’s not forget some of the great breakfast/brunch dishes like Tex Mex migas and my steak and egg breakfast skillet.

Yes, we ate well in 2016 and I hope you have enjoyed reading the recipes as well, and hopefully trying some too. What shall we cook in 2017? I’d love to hear any requests and do my best to work on them! In the meantime, Happy New Year when it comes and happy, healthy eating (well, most of the time) to you too.