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.
So i decided in the last 2 days to do some food shopping. I went out to the market and picked up 1 large center cut Shark steak, pre-cooked Chicken bowls for less than $7 for a pack of 3, bought some Carrot juice from Bolthouse Farms, Strawberry & Banana juice, and stocked up on homemade chicken & bean burritos. I’m recommitting myself to “eating right and doing the transformation work,” and thankful so far for the little bit of weight I possibly lost. I also did 10 minutes of cardio this morning on the treadmill @ the gym.
Your blog is the best! I love the voice you have and the stories you tell. I also love that you are from MN and that you live out your beliefs with such integrity. Blessings for another year!
Thank you Kel! XO
A great best of list! I only found you in August so I had missed out on some if these.
Just made the Baked Mozzarella Chicken Rolls and realized that I hadn’t actually served my husband an actual piece of meat for dinner in months! (I can’t really go vegetarian as he is allergic to all legumes- which sucks, but I am guilty of spreading the meat out a little thin).
I know it has been said before, but your cauliflower sauce has changed my life…literally it has…. I have some dietary restrictions and it has let me eat foods I never dreamed of! … Yay! My favorite has been the shells with sausage… You don’t need a lot of Smoked cheese to add a lot of taste… Yum!
Hope you have a great new year and I look forward to keeping on reading!
Agreed! Thanks Kristy! So glad you liked it!
My mouth is watering at it all! So glad I got to meet you two in 2013! Happy New Year!
Same to you Katie! Best of luck in the New Year with your little one! 🙂
That sauce! I’ve been meaning to try it for months. January seems like the perfect month for some creamy comfort food 🙂 Happy New Year!
Doooo it! 🙂
These are all amazing, but your list is missing one of your amazing recipes – Brussel sprout salad w/creamy shallot dressing. I’ve had numerous requests for this recipe . Happy New Year! looking forward to another year of trying your recipes.
Feature Set Customer Support Price/Value I could have easily ruednfed my cash after the $4.95 trial. I literally went through all of CWS within that first night (I pulled an all nighter). Although at the end of the day I learned something, which is very important to me. If I learn something and feel that I’ve gained some significant value. Then I’ll keep it. Most of it is directed towards beginners just starting out on the internet. This really helped me a lot and I can recommend it to everyone as I have a bunch of experience online and this even helped me.
I loved reading about your life in Cebu. I’m form Manila but you definitely helped in giving me a taste of home 🙂 Happy New Year!
I’m so glad to have discovered your blog this year – such beautiful photos and delicious foods. Thanks for sharing your kitchen with us! 🙂
Hey Lindsay, Happy almost new year to you and thank you for continuing to share your rather delish recipes with us.
I’m absolutely loving those last 3 categories! The baking for my humongous out-of-control sweet tooth, the healthy food I SHOULD be eating, and the infamous cauliflower I’ve gotten my entire family hooked on. You’re incredibly talented and your recipes show it! I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next year! 🙂
Thank you Amy!
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!
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. 😉
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!
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!
Wow, I know what I’ll be doing for the next three weeks. Thanks for all of the amazing recipes! Happy New Year 🙂
This entire page looks amazing! Can’t wait to eat my way through 2014!
MWAH! Right back at ya! Amazing year for Pinch of Yum!
I want a chocolate chip cookie brownie… stat.
Looks like you had a terrific 2013! Can’t wait to see what 2014 has to bring 🙂
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
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!
I am ready to have one of each. Great round up!!
Anything with Cauliflower and Kale – makes a great list!
Congrats on 6 years! The Pancit looks amazing! It’s on my must make list!
That kale salad is everything!
I can tell I’m ready to start the new year now; it’s the salads I’m craving!
Your Caramelized Salmon is on my must try list! What a great list! Toasting you a wonderful 2014!
Thanks Paula! You too!