It’s that time of year again, time to reflect on our favorite foods from the year with the Most Popular Recipes of 2020: the year in review! It’s also a time where I get to review what I accomplished as well as my goals for the next year.
Thanks for being here
Thanks for being here with me on this journey! I am truly grateful to my dear readers! Thank you for sharing your stories, your food, your time. Thank you for helping me grow this blog.
These are recipes that were published in 2020 – new recipes, not ones that have been around for years. Many of the recipes from this year were shaped by 2020, either with the grocery store outages, or by the fact that we didn’t want to go out and shop.
A time to reflect
I know that I didn’t have it in me to do as much this year. 2020 took a lot out of me. I have cried many a tear, some for no reason, and I have cried because I was overwhelmed.
Earlier in the year, had lots of energy to come up with and help people with recipes in the beginning of the lockdown, but honestly, now at the end of the year, I’m so done. I’m tired, and the slightest thing makes me cry. I’m not looking for sympathy, I guess I’m just sharing. Just getting it off my chest.
But, at least I know I’m not alone. I have spoken to so many people who have felt these overwhelming emotions and sadness and fear and just plain tired. Tired of it all. So, dear reader, know that you are not alone either.
Blog improvements
I’m trying to make the blog more user friendly and easy to navigate. I went through an audit with updates to almost every part of the blog. Speed. Recipe card. Sharing. Everything. I’ve always added helpful tips to the post (or “words” part of the post) but I’m really trying hard to catch all the questions readers might have.
I know that people on social media make fun of bloggers and their “long boring” posts all the time, but I think there’s so much that people want to know. I get questions all the time from my friends, so I’d like to treat every reader as my friend. That’s why I’m here.
Many years ago I made the confession that if I were left alone I’d eat junk. I’d probably eat spaghetti-os from a can most of the time. I’m too busy or too lazy to cook for myself. I need someone to take care of. And, yes, that’s what my readers are to me, someone to cook for. Someone to share with. And, isn’t it better to share a meal with friends than eat alone. So, I share.
In 2021 I’ll be updating a lot of the recipes and posts. New pictures, more details, better user experience, I hope.
Please let me know if there’s anything you’re looking for. I’m happy to help if I can.
On a personal note
I took a lot of time off in 2020. I posted about half as many recipes as a normal year.
My sweet kitty, Miso, passed away in March of 2020. I have sobbed many a tear for her. I miss her terribly. Even still. I love her and always will.
We did get a new family member in November. She’s so much fun, her name is Mochi, and she’s adorable! I love her.
There isn’t much to say about 2020 that we all don’t already know. I won’t dwell on the details of the year. But I will say that I’m looking forward to moving on and creating new memories, good times, and bonds with loved ones.
Have you tried any of the top 9 recipes?
Which one is on your “must make” list?
I’m really proud of all my recipes from 2020. I felt like it was a great year for the recipes.
Favorites that you may have missed
These next recipes are ones that didn’t make the top 9, but were so good I wanted to bring them back around. Make sure to keep scrolling to see all the top 9 recipes at the bottom!
Old classics redone
I focused on remaking some of my older recipes, giving them facelifts, new pictures, new descriptions, and more details. Many of them I have republished to give them new life. And, I’m very happy with the outcome on so many of them!
Crock Pot Vegetarian Chili – I make this recipe all the time. It’s so easy to make. It’s delicious, and it makes a ton, so it’s great for leftovers, and it can be frozen for later. I love it for super bowl. We make nachos with it. It’s also warm and cozy while being healthy. Pin it
A classic Peanut Butter Cookies recipe that I published years ago, and I still love it so I remade it at Christmas time so that Christmas cookie plates would be overflowing with these yummies! Pin it
This Cucumbers and Onions Salad recipe is a family favorite. I always loved it at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Many people will think of it as a summer picnic recipe. It’s super budget-friendly, easy to make, and delicious. And, it’s one of the first recipes I shared here on the blog. Pin it
I love the icebox cakes, and this Chocolate Raspberry Icebox Cake is so pretty! They’re so easy and so much fun. I made these many years ago as a Mother’s Day dessert, and I updated them in 2020. You’ll adore these! Pin it
This Chocolate Pudding is a recipe that I’ve made for years! It’s great because I always have the ingredients in the cupboard to make this easy sweet treat whenever I get a hankering for it! Pin it
Chili mac is a classic, and often requested in my house. I included this easy to make recipe that uses pantry ingredients in my cookbook back in 2010. This is the first time it’s made it to the blog. Pin it
These Vanilla Dusted Scallops are so good. A nice perfect romantic dinner. This recipe comes to me from the Seafood for the Future program from the Aquarium of the Pacific, from back when I used to work with them. Pin it
New favorites
These are some new recipes for the blog, ones that didn’t make the top 9, but that are super noteworthy! Make sure to keep scrolling to see the top 9!
My husband has been working on his bread making skills through this time of quarantine. He wrote this No Knead Parmesan Rosemary Bread and he included lots of great tips and tricks for making delicious artisanal bread! Pin it
I’ve been making this Creamy Vegetable Gnocchi Soup for years, I finally got it up on the blog. It’s warm and cozy and full of veggies. Pin it
I created this Air Fryer Kung Pao Shrimp recipe because of quarantine; it’s full of shelf-stable and freezer ingredients, super easy to make, and really yummy! Pin it
Here’s another 2020 inspired recipe for Pepper Jack Potato Soup that I’ve made more than a few times now. I created it with stuff I had in the house and it was so good that we’ve gone back to it again and again. Pin it
These little Mocha Candied Almonds are so good, with a nice coffee flavor on a crunchy almond. These are a great snack. And, in case you still have any gifts to give, they make a great gift idea! Pin it
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2020’s most popular recipes!
The 9 Most Popular Recipes of 2020: the year in review, as determined by page views:
Be sure to check out Pinterest, as many people add their reviews and “tried it’s” there. I love finding out what you guys like and how you change the recipes!
Of course I’d love it if you’d come back here and leave a comment on recipes you’ve tried as well.
Let’s start with #9 and work our way up to #1.
Number 9
Two-ingredient peanut butter fudge – Super easy to make, I mean, 2 ingredients, and so delicious! Try them from the freezer too for a fun frozen treat to cool you down in the summer! Pin it
Number 8
Roasted Salmon Risotto – This is a great healthy perfectly roasted piece of salmon on top of a rich and creamy Parmesan risotto. It’s a great dinner, and would be perfect for Valentine’s Day to share with your sweetie! All you need is some Air Fryer Broccoli for a complete meal. Pin it
Number 7
Garlic & Herb Cheese Spread – a copy cat recipe of those expensive cheese spreads you can buy at the store. I made this recipe because of the grocery store shortages as well. My in laws had requested that we go to the store for them, and they really wanted one of those spreads, but it was no where to find, so, I made my own! Serve this with some crackers and veggies, and you have a delicious cheese plate! Serve it with some Chile Cumin Cheddar crackers for a great party Pin it
Number 6
I’ve made this slow cooker chicken taco filling or salsa chicken a few times for parties. It’s super easy, and people love chicken tacos. I noticed that it was one of the few taco fillings missing from my Taco Bar party menu, so I figured I’d add it in and make the party complete! Pin it
Number 5
To be honest, it surprises me to see this Tamarind Cashew Dipping Sauce in the to 5. Don’t get me wrong, it’s super delicious and so much fun, but, I made it to go along with my Air Fryer Avocado Fries (which are fantastic!). So, it was more of a side dish and I didn’t realize just how popular it would be! Pin it
Number 4
No yeast flatbreads are so good, even if there’s no shortage of yeast or bread: These are quick and easy with no rising time, homemade bread that’s perfect for sandwiches, use instead of pita bread or crackers for dips and spread, or, make them into individual pizzas with my easy no cook pizza sauce. Pin it
Number 3
Air Fryer Chili Lime Cod – you guys, I love the air fryer and you can make anything in it! This cod is amazing, moist and tender, flavorful, and it’s perfect in fish tacos, and seafood is so healthy! Pin it
Number 2
There’s that air fryer again for the Air Fryer Parmesan Sugar Snap Peas! I’m telling you the air fryer makes everything so quick and easy to cook, and these sugar snap peas are a fun and delicious side dish, and the little bit of Parmesan cheese makes these extra special! Pin it
Drum roll please….
And the Number 1 recipe
The most popular recipe from 2020 is my Homemade Granola recipe, and it’s funny too, because this is another recipe that had lived on my blog for many years; I first posted it back in 2013 when I injured my leg pretty badly, and since the granola is easy to make and pretty healthy (it’s low in sugar and oil), and I was trying to eat healthier because I couldn’t workout, I shared this great recipe. This homemade granola makes a nice big batch so you can enjoy it for a few breakfasts, and it also makes a lovely gift to give! Pin it
Again, thanks for joining me! If you have any questions, comments, or just want to chat, leave me a note. May your new year be safe, happy, and healthy!
