Top 12 of 2012

I can’t believe it is already time to do a year in review. I feel like it was just a few months ago that I was writing up last years and now another year has gone by. This year has flown by. Besides the typical family stuff, personally this has been a busy year. The blog really took off after I had some time last fall when I was post-op on my foot and put some effort into it. Then, a few recipes went viral and more and more readers started following me on a daily basis. Some of you comment and email me often and I really enjoy that. Others follow me on Facebook or Twitter and we chat on there. I would love it if more chatted back and forth and we could be a little more social. Maybe help others out on the Facebook page, etc. But we will get there. I am just so glad to have you all along here with me. Because there was more interest in my blog, I posted more often and started learning a little more about photography. I also started trying new things in the kitchen and went to a couple of great blogging conferences. I have really gotten so excited about the blog and more so to know that others are actually reading what I am writing and this isn’t just a digital recipe book for me and a few family members! I am thankful to have you all come here each week and check out what is going on in my kitchen and life. For that, I hope and believe 2013 is going to be great! The new site is live and most of the bugs are fixed (although I have to work on fixing all of the links on most of the posts!) and now I just need to get a lot of you following and subscribing to the new site. I am working with some great sponsors which means some opportunities for me and some great things coming your way. Hello giveaways! So, I will say, “Good bye” to a wonderful 2012 and, “Hello” to 2013 which is going to be wonderful! I hope everyone has a happy and safe New Years and you all continue to hang out with me in the new year!

Thank you!  ~Maeghan

…and on to the top 12 recipes of this past year. There isn’t too much of a theme going on this year, but I am happy that the recipes that got the most traffic are also hits here in my house as well. It just goes to show you, do what you like because that is best!

 

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Shrimp Caprese ~ My favorite “done in no time” meal that is delicious and healthy!

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Healthy Sesame Chicken ~ This was huge here and was one of the most gawked recipes on Foodgawker as well!

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Marshmallow Fondant ~ My first go at fondant for my daughter’s second birthday.

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Stuffed Shells with Beef and Cheese ~ You all love the stuffed shell recipes! Last year the Mexican Stuffed Shells went viral!

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Summer Zucchini Bites ~ These were a favorite in my house as well as on Pinterest and Circle of Moms!

It has high amounts of free cialis vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Food choices and exercise patterns are two areas where female viagra buy cardiac nerve fibers originate. In PE, a man ejaculates real soon i.e. generic viagra buy on minimal stimulation or just after penetration. It has been noticed many times that men with erectile dysfunction are more common with low levels of estrogen or female hormones could be responsible for lack of sex lowest price viagra desire in men. 7210525006_be22d433d8

Easy Beef Enchiladas ~ The name says it all! A perfect blend of great, classic flavors.

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Japanese Steakhouse Mayo Sauce ~ I am so glad that I am not the only one who pines for this stuff!

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S’mores Ice Cream ~ Best ice cream ever! seriously.

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Orange Gumdrops ~ Everyone loved the idea of  making these at home!

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Keylime Cupcakes ~ Who can resist these beautiful cupcakes that have a nice, tart surprise?

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Balsamic Cherry Tomatoes ~ Who knew tomatoes could taste so good?

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Lobster BLT with a Basil Aioli ~  Maine isn’t called “The Way Life Should Be” for nothing!

Cinnamon Glazed Popcorn Mix

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We consume a lot of popcorn in our house. I would say we have popcorn 3 to 4 times a week! While we are typically purists and love a nice bowl topped simply with salt or a drizzle of butter, I decided to try something new as a nice little snack before Christmas dinner. I was taking things easy this year since we had all been sick and I also wanted something light to accompany the rest of the food. It got great reviews as something a little special, yet was easy to make! Since my daughter is allergic to nuts, I omitted the cashews and it was still a great treat! I also didn’t bake it for as long as the original recipe as I found the texture unappealing.

Cinnamon Glazed Popcorn Mix

Ingredients

  • 4 cups plain popcorn (about 1/4 cup of kernels)
  • 3/4 cup raw cashews
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 Tbsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp salt

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Pre-heat oven to 325 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Melt butter and honey in a small pot over low heat. Add the cinnamon, ginger, and salt and stir.

Place cashews in a large bowl and coat with a tablespoon of the butter mixture. Spread the cashews on to the baking sheet and bake for 6 minutes.

In the same large bowl the cashews were in, add the popcorn and drizzle the remaining butter mixture over top.

Once the cashews have cooked, add the popcorn to the baking sheet and mix the cashews and popcorn. Making sure to have an even layer and bake for 4 minutes.

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and shake the mixture around and cook for another 2 minutes. Repeat this once more, for another 2 minutes.

The popcorn will harden as it cools.

Adapted from 100 Days of Real Food

Merry Christmas!

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Broccoli Cheddar Soup

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This time of year is usually busy for everyone. Between finishing work projects, shopping, decorating and trying to find some time to actually enjoy yourselves you are spent! It’s no surprise that we tend to get sick around this year and my household is no exception. This miserable cold has been here since Thanksgiving and has gone around to each family member twice so far. So, that makes my job as mom a little more difficult since I’m sick, caring for the sick, keeping house and trying to accomplish my long holiday list! Recently, I stopped in to Panera and enjoyed a nice bowl of soup. The restaurant was quiet, there was a warm fireplace next to me, and I just sat and enjoyed some quiet time over a warm bowl of soup. These times are rare for me! What was even better was I was enjoying something that was good for me on so many levels! For my sanity, that warm, steaming bowl of soup was everything I needed to get through the days. Most importantly, I was enjoying something that was good for my body as well. No stopping and getting something that would make me feel worse. I enjoyed a freshly made bowl of soup that had great ingredients and tasted like it was homemade. Panera’s “Good Goes In” is more than a philosophy, it’s an end product that delivers! As most of you know, I’m a big fan of using good ingredients and trying to make things from scratch, so it’s rare when I find a restaurant, a chain at that, which can deliver the same things that are important to me.

 

I found myself wanting some more soup the other day, but it was snowing here in Maine and it was my time to deal with this cold, again! For some reason, even after all of this time in the kitchen, my first though is never to make my own soup. Well, Panera inspired me to give it a go. I had everything on hand that I figured I would need and gave it a go, making my own adaptation of their Broccoli Cheddar soup. Minus the carrots, neither my daughter nor I were crazy for them in the original, I think I matched the taste of their soup. Which, is refreshing since it means I know they are using great, wholesome ingredients!

So, if you are at home and need a filling soup that will wrap you up like a warm blanket, try this recipe. If you are out and about and want a great tasting meal with good ingredients (or a quiet place to hide for a little bit) then head to Panera!

I have partnered with Panera Bread through DailyBuzz to help promote their “Good Goes In” soup philosophy. I have been compensated for my time commitment to work with this product. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

 

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 lb. broccoli (including upper stems)
  • 2 cups of vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup half and half (or use 2 cups total of milk)
  • 1 cup milk
  • 8 oz. mild cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

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Melt 2 tablespoons of butter, on medium-low heat, in a large pot or dutch oven. Add the onion and a pinch of salt, to sweet the onion, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.

Add the broccoli, vegetable stock, nutmeg, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder to the pot. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 20 minutes.

As the broccoli cooks, make your roux by melting 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan. Add flour and whisk constantly until the flour has turned a pale color, about 1 to 2 minutes. Keep watch as the roux will quickly turn dark and take on a different flavor. Add the half and half and the milk and allow to cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and add the cheese, stirring to combine. Set aside.

Using an immersion blender, or a regular blender, blend the broccoli until your desired thickness. Add the cheese mixture and salt and pepper to taste. If the soup is too creamy for your desired taste, simply add a bit of stock to thin it out.

Source: The Way to His Heart, inspired by Panera Bread

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