I keep hearing “2014” and thinking that it’s in like 6 years. Um, no, more like 6 seconds. CAN YOU EVEN BELIEVE IT?!
The year 2013 was a really interesting year for Pinch of Yum, because a) I was cooking from the Philippines for half of the year, b) the blog continued to grow in spite of new challenges faced from running a food blog from abroad – seriously, totally unexpected and thank you for your lovin, and c) you showed me that you reeeeally like healthy family-friendly recipes that use the most tasty and delicious whole foods, and I do too! so I started to focus on those recipes more on Pinch of Yum.
Over the last year, you’ve clicked, shared, pinned, liked, tweeted, sampled, gobbled, and loved. Here are the best of the best of the year 2013, according to the collective y-o-u.
Noodle Lovin
Filipino Pancit:
I have two versions of this recipe, one from the aunties at orphanage that I was working at and one that I did on my own. Can I just say? I love that you love pancit.
Hoisin Pork with Rice Noodles:
Inspired by a Thai and Vietnamese restaurant in Cebu. I have dreams about this.
Garlic Butter Spaghetti with Herbs:
An ode to very fresh and simple food.
Oh Yes I Did: Casserole
Chicken and Rice Casserole:
The really basic and cozy food of my childhood.
Chicken Enchilada Casserole:
The really basic and cozy food of my present. Like I might go make it right now.
Southwestern Quinoa and Black Bean Casserole:
For when you’re feeling friendly towards veggies and quinoa dressed up in Southwestern spice.
Meaty Meat Meat, + Chicken
Carnitas Tamale Pie:
Basically an excuse to eat carnitas on sweet corn bread with melted cheese.
Baked Mozzarella Chicken Rolls:
Introduced to me by my sister, inspired by the lovely Gina of Skinnytaste. Itsa good one.
Crockpot Mexican Chicken:
The easiest thing you’ll ever make. And everyone loves it. And you can make NACHOS.
I ♥︎ Sweetness
Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies:
Can’t stop won’t stop.
Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies:
Discovered completely by accident. The basic secret: melt half the butter, let it cool to solid, and get enough flour in there so they stay thick and chewy. MY LIFE.
Healthy Maple Glazed Pumpkin Muffins:
A long time fall staple, updated with less sugar and oil. And oh PS the glaaaaaaaze.
So Fresh and So Clean
Caramelized Salmon:
I photographed and wrote this post at 5am before going on vacation to the cabin with my family for two weeks. Oh the things you never knew about food blogging. #worthit
Pomegranate, Kale, and Wild Rice Salad with Walnuts and Feta:
Like many winning recipes, I made it on a total whim just using what I had on hand. I think luck favors the resourceful cook. I luv this one.
Chopped Thai Chicken Salad:
That stuff that looks like cheddar cheese? It’s PAPAYA. Gorgeous yummy juicy Filipino papaya that’s as big as my head. Promise.
Of Course, The Cauliflower
Creamy Cauliflower Garlic Rice:
It’s totes predictable. And so creamy and so cheesy and so wonderful.
Healthy Fettuccine Alfredo:
BAM. You loved this one. Glad to have some fellow fettuccine obsessors in the crowd this year.
Creamy Cauliflower Sauce:
And the recipe that takes first place in the Reader’s Choice Awards this year is, not surprisingly, this garlic-y cream sauce made from a vegetable. Lots of pins, lots of comments, lots of detailed reviews… WE JUST GET EACH OTHER.
Much love to you, my awesome readers, commenters, emailers, virtual friends, and recipe try-ers for making 2013 a superfun blog year. I adore you and your food lovingness more than you know. Would it be weird if I said *mwah* now?
…Just did it.
All of these look amazing Lindsay! My fav was the chopped Thai chicken salad…fab-u-freaking-lous! You just made planning all me and the hubster’s dinners out for the next 2 months so much easier with this list, thanks girl! So excited to see what you have up your sleeve for 2014!
They all look delicious. I can see why all these recipes make the Best of 2013 list.
Love, LOVE your blog! I have officially decided that I’m going going to slowly work through your recipe archives. I’m doing my student teaching starting January and I’m using you as inspiration to make yummy healthy lunches to take to school with me 😉 P.S. any tips you have on planning ahead (freezing and packing) would be awesome!
Thank you Nina! I rarely freeze stuff, but I almost always keep the recipes in little take-to-work-lunch-boxes and then just eat them as leftovers throughout the week. Good luck with your student teaching!
So fun to look back at the wonderful recipes and realized I tried many of them! I’m excited to have gotten a rice cooker and a new kitchenAid mixer for Christmas that I’ve been wanting for years! Now I can really bake and cook away! I look forward to what 2014, brings your way!
How exciting! I just got a KitchenAid mixer as well and I’m actually using it this morning to make some bread! You’ll have to let me know if you have any great mixer recipes in 2014! 🙂
I love these ‘best of 2013’ roundups to end the year. What a fun way to look back. I of course did mine as well.
You have an awesome blog and work so hard. I appreciate all you do. Happy New Year Lindsay!
i will be trying those noodle recipes soon. thanks for your posts from abroad and healthy meals :O) happy new years.
Thanks Dixya! You too!
I love these end of the year round-ups. It is so fun to see what the reader’s favorites were across so many different sites. Plus it is a great opportunity for current readers to try something they may have missed over the course of the year. Like those Hoisin Pork Noodles for example. I can’t wait to try them soon!
Happy 2014! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with all of us.
Oh amazing – I’ve been on a massive pinning spree!
Particularly making a beeline for the cauliflower garlic rice.
Omg. All of it!
Your pomegranate, Kale & wild rice salad adds great color to any dinner table. Best wishes for 2014!
Your Caramelized Salmon is on my must try list! What a great list! Toasting you a wonderful 2014!
Thanks Paula! You too!
I can tell I’m ready to start the new year now; it’s the salads I’m craving!
That kale salad is everything!
Congrats on 6 years! The Pancit looks amazing! It’s on my must make list!
Anything with Cauliflower and Kale – makes a great list!
I am ready to have one of each. Great round up!!
Happy new year Lindsay! Thanks for all the super delicious recipes this year, I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us for 2014!
Looks like you had a terrific 2013! Can’t wait to see what 2014 has to bring 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
MWAH! Right back at ya! Amazing year for Pinch of Yum!
I want a chocolate chip cookie brownie… stat.
This entire page looks amazing! Can’t wait to eat my way through 2014!
Wow, I know what I’ll be doing for the next three weeks. Thanks for all of the amazing recipes! Happy New Year 🙂
Everything I love from your blog all in one handy dandy spot! Yay! Happy New Year to you and your family and thank you for all you do to help us food bloggers keep cookin’. !
Ha! thanks Kathi!
Thanks so much for this great roundup! I like the idea of the salmon because it’s so simple, and the wild rice salad because of the lovely colours and healthiness of it all! Thanks for all the blog inspiration and tips, too. Happy New Year!
Thanks Helen! You too!
Oh my goodness. So much YUM. I need to put your chocolate chip cookie tips to use sometime soon. I don’t even like chocolate chip cookies, and I’m kinda drooling.
Thanks so much for a year of fantastic recipes!
I am choosing to ignore the cookie comment. 😉
not sure how i missed these earlier this year… but now i’m pregnant and they are ALL sounding good to me! Can’t wait to cook them 🙂
Congrats and happy eating Sara!