A year ago I decided to try my hand at blogging.  I wasn’t sure I’d keep it up, and I wasn’t sure I’d possibly have enough to say, but here we are a year later!

Thank you for reading!  I appreciate you joining me for at A Seat at the Table!  If you’re just joining, here are some of my favorite recipes from the past year.  It was incredibly hard to pick just a few, so please forgive the long post.  Also, WARNING:  may cause hunger and food cravings!

Since pancakes, waffles and syrup were about the first recipes I ever made, I definitely have to include them.  They’re kind of my signature dish.  This Dutch Baby recipe is my newest go-to for brunch, the presentation for this is simply stunning and so impressive considering how easy it is to make.  And considering I eat this granola everyday for breakfast, I’d say it’s a keeper.  Can’t get enough of it.  And if you’re interested in something more savory for breakfast, I’d highly recommend this crustless spinach and feta pie, a great vegetarian dish that’s also perfect for a light lunch or dinner.

Moving on to lunch items, it’s hard to pick just a few, but here are some of the recipes that stood out this year.  Roasted Eggplant with Smoked Almonds and Goat Cheese…this dish is awesome.  It’s a flavor explosion and totally satisfying vegetarian dish.  I’ve made it numerous times and love it just as much each time.  If you’re new to eggplant, this is a great way to prepare it.  This Summer Squash and Ricotta Galette and Herbed Ricotta Tart are awesome, easy, and most important, super delicious.  Here are some of my favorite salads which would be perfect as a side or main dish: Curried Couscous Salad, Lentil Salad, Asian Cabbage Salad, Grandma’s Broccoli Salad, Rosemary Chicken Salad, Lemony Tuna Salad, Raw Kale and Tofu Salad with Citrus Dressing, and Sesame Kale.  Or try making your own dressing to jazz up your own salads; try this Balsamic Vinaigrette, or Asian Sesame Dressing.

For the last of these chilly winter months add some soups to your menu plan.  I have a twice a year catering gig, and this no matter what the weather is like, Veggie Chili is always requested.  It’s hearty and delicious, perfect for herbivores and carnivores alike.  Roasted Vegetable and White Bean, Carrot-Ginger, Spicy Vegetable and Bean, Tomato and Red Lentil were some of my favorite vegetarian soups.  And my family recipe for Mennonite Borscht was a hugely popular non-veggie soup, perfect for large groups during cold winter months.

Some favorite dinners include Beef Stroganoff, Island Lime and Coconut Chicken, Foil Pork and Apple Packets, Apple Turkey Burgers with Cheddar and Caramelized Onions, Moroccan Chicken, and Hiyashi Chuka.  For some vegetarian dinners I’d recommend Cheesy Stuffed Pumpkin, Broccoli Pesto Pasta, Roasted Garlic and Mushroom Pasta, Savory Mushroom Bread Pudding, and Black Bean Pumpkin Patties with Raw Kale Salad.

If you want to do some baking, my favorite savory baked goods include Homemade Naan, Savory Rosemary Parmesan Shortbread, Homemade Pizza Dough, Carrot Herb Rolls, and my absolute favorite, Butternut Squash and Feta Muffins.  For some sweet treats, try Moist Pumpkin Spice Muffins, Strawberry-Rhubarb Drop Scones, Rhubarb Snacking Cake, Blueberry Coffee Cake, Apple Walnut Bread, Pumpkin Walnut Bread, and Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Bundt Cake.

And if you’re really looking to indulge your sweet tooth, you’ve got to try these:  Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Orangies, Key Lime Blueberry Swirl Cupcakes with Lime Cream Cheese Frosting, Chocolate Lovers’ Cheesecake, Tres Leches Cake, Blackberry Cheesecake, Chocolate Dipped Toasted Coconut Macaroons, Double Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes, Zucchini Nut Sandwich Cookies, Lemon Ricotta Cookies, Toasted Coconut Cupcakes, White Chocolate Raspberry Blondies, Kate’s Carrot Cake, Cranberry Pear Crumble, Chai-Spiced Snickerdoodles, Oatmeal Toffee Cookies, Decadent Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache Frosting, and Razzleberry Pie.

I hope you’ll stick around for another year of culinary adventures!