Two thousand eleven (2011) was a great year for Nate and I. You can read about some of my favorite events from the year here.
It was also a great year because I cooked so much and learned how to make so many new and delicious things! Last year I made the goal of trying at least one new recipe a week. And I think I was pretty successful too. I don’t know that I made exactly one new thing every week, but some weeks I made two, so that makes up for it, right? Anyway, I am going to stick with the goal of trying one new recipe every week this year. And I’m also going to tack the goal onto it that I will post at least twice a week on this blog. (though I can’t promise a recipe every time, because that would mean I’d be making 2 new things a week and with our busy schedules I know that won’t always happen).
I also want you to share your favorite recipes with me (maybe we’ll start a link party for this) and I promise I’ll try to make them sometime this year as well, and might even share them with the blog world if I like them enough ;).
What is your favorite thing that you cooked in 2011? What is your (or your family’s) favorite recipe?
The top 10 reader favorite recipes for 2011 were (based on total views – from high #1 to low #10):

#1 Baked Ravioli. The amount of views on this post absolutely astounds me, but it seems to keep getting repinned on pinterest and I’m really grateful for that. This ravioli was simply delicious and it’s definitely one I’ll have to try again in the near future.

#2. Baked Southwestern Rolls. This was one of my favorite recipes from 2011. Everything in this recipe was perfect, though I may try adding avocado to the mix this year as well.

#3 A crock pot recipe makes everything 10 times better in my book, knowing that I didn’t slave over the recipe but still got amazing results. This recipe will definitely be repeated this year.

#4. Cinnamon Roll Waffles. I’m not going to lie, this wasn’t one of my favorite recipes this year. It wasn’t bad, but because I cut the measurements down to make a personal waffle (instead of making it for a huge group) it just wasn’t perfect.

#5. Mozzarella Sticks. Its pretty amazing to me that this has so many views, when it was only posted 3 weeks ago. These mozzarella sticks were really good, and easy too, which is always a plus in my book. I want to try baking them sometime this year (instead of frying).

#6. Homemade Tortillas. Once I tried uncooked tortillas I was never going back. And homemade tortillas are even better. Although they are a little time-consuming, so they definitely aren’t always my first choice when tortillas are required

#7. In my book crock pot recipes are the best, because you have to do hardly any work and you can come home to a delicious prepared meal. And this is definitely one of the easiest crock pot recipes, so yummy too!

#8. Orange Chicken. This was another one of my favorite recipes from the year. This meal wasn’t quite as easy as number 7s crock pot meal, but it was a little bit more delicious and is definitely going on my list of recipes to remake (again and again) this year.

#9. Microwave Mug Brownie. I love brownies, but sometimes Nate is not in the mood for a dessert and I don’t want to make a whole pan. This mug option is the perfect solution. And I’m definitely going to be looking into flavorful varieties of this throughout 2012.

#10. Chocolate Mint Surprise Cookies. What a simple and tasty cookie, that I loved sharing with our friends this holiday season. This might become a traditional Christmas recipe, but it might be good enough to eat year round too.
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