Happy New Year & Reader Favs from 2011

Welcome 2012!  Hope you all had a fun end to 2011 & lots of good eats, of course.

 

We had such a great time recapping our best recipes from 2011 over the last week.  Today, I’m sharing with you YOUR favorites from the year (as determined by Google Analytics).  Feel free to link up any 2011 recap posts below, as well. 

Top 11 Reader Favorites from 2011

1. Cheesy Ham & Pasta Bake- We LOVE this dish – a great way to use up leftover ham.  Often, we’ll throw in steamed broccoli too to make it a complete one-dish dinner. 

2. Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns {ready in 40-minutes} – These are our go-to hamburger roll and we recently figured out how to shape them into good hotdog buns too.  You can make them 100% whole wheat, or 50% – they’re awesome either way. 

3. Crockpot Breakfast Casserole – An easy breakfast that uses up all those leftover pieces of bread you have stuffed away in your freezer for a rainy day. It’s a great one to start before church on Sundays and come home to a warm brunch. 

4. Baked Vegetable Sandwiches – Yes, these are amazing.  Very filling, and excellent paired with sweet potato fries & spiced country applesauce. 

5. Ranch Chicken Parmesan – This is an old recipe that we actually haven’t had in ages.  I just tried making homemade ranch dressing {recipe to come in 2012} so I can’t wait to revisit this yummy chicken. 

6. Waffles {of Insane Greatness} – They are great.  In fact, they will be our first breakfast of 2012. 

7. Crockpot Ziti – We love our three cheese baked ziti, and this is a crockpot version that we’ve also grown to love.  You can toss the whole thing together in just minutes (no need to cook the noodles), and you’ll have a delicious dinner. 

8. Spinach Chicken Pasta – A really simple dish with delicious flavor.  Great for chicken leftovers. 

9. French Bread – This was one of the first recipes I made from another blogger… and it’s a winner every time we make it.  Leftovers are great for French Toast! 

10. Olive Garden Bread Sticks & Make-Ahead Spinach Pasta Bake  - These two make a great pair. The bread sticks are fantastic and the make-ahead pasta bake is a winner too. 

11. Berry Baked Oatmeal – I’m so glad this made the list!  We LOVE baked oatmeal, and have it often.  Lately, Berry Baked is our favorite (well, that and cinnamon roll baked oatmeal).  We love it because it has fruit, is low in sugar, and uses applesauce rather than butter/oil.  A terrific breakfast if you ask me!

Top 11 Referrers from 2011

To all you bloggers – thanks for helping to make this year great! 

1. Facebook
2. Organizing Junkie
3. Pinterest
4.StumbleUpon
5. Tammy’s Recipes
6. Tipnut
7. Eat At Home
8. Life as a Mom
9. Amy’s Finer Things
10. Once A Month Mom
11. Recipe Shoebox

Now, link up your “best of 2011” posts!  And, Happy New Year! 

Countdown to 2012: Best Desserts of 2011

This is the day we’ve been waiting for all week!  One more day until 2012… that means, it’s dessert day! 

I don’t know about you – but I’ve really enjoyed finding so much recipe inspiration for breakfasts, breads, soups, main dishes, and using my crockpot more.

Thanks so much for participating in counting down to 2012.  It’s been such a great year – here’s to another wonderful one in 2012!  Can’t wait to count down to 2013 with all of you next year. 

*            *            *

I had a terrible time picking our family favorite best dessert recipes of 2011.  In fact, we made so many new ice cream recipes (and I LOVED all of them) that I contemplated dividing my dessert category in half.  Alas, they are all here – hopefully it’s not a sweets overload:

1. Dark Chocolate Cherry Dessert
2. Whole Wheat Sweet Potato Gingersnaps
3. Frozen Lemon Tart
4. Rainy Saturday Oatmeal Cookies
5. Carvel Ice Cream Cake
6. Dark Chocolate Toffee Bites
7. Apple Pie with Crumble Topping
8. Strawberry Kiwi Fruit Pizza
9. Raspberry Frozen Yogurt
10. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
11. Apple Cinnamon Spice Ice Cream
12. The Best Brownies Ever
13. Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake Squares
14. Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
15. Sweetened Condensed Milk Ice Cream
16. Olympic Cookies
17. Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate Bites
18. Peppermint Candy Cane Ice Cream {with hot fudge!}

Now it’s your turn. Link up a post containing a recap of your favorite dessert recipes from 2011, or link up an individual top recipe choice. 

Please make sure to include a link back to the Countdown here on Finding Joy in My Kitchen so others can find the party & share their favorites.  You can do this by including the countdown button in your post:

<a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com " target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VbEVMUjhN__qZyZuJuRnpO_hWUfmoBES8jc1hWn_5qgLG5dv9d75061HxvK4x5zvXANOCW352UzOTMfYOxNMj0Lb6wFQ53U8gTmDqFDvncEjga_vSNeLipBkRFzLRsDC_J2bPhTT6m9w/s300/Countdown_Button_2011.jpg " alt=" Countdown to 2011 with Finding Joy in My Kitchen" width="125" height="125" /></a>

And… Happy New Years Eve!!  I’ll see you in 2012!

Countdown to 2012: Best Crockpot Recipes of 2011

Did you know the crockpot is the most efficient appliance you have in your kitchen?!  That alone should prompt you to take it out of the cupboard, dust it off and put it to great use in 2012.  Did you know that you can use it for breakfasts? Breads? Soups? and even desserts?  Hopefully this link up will help you find recipes to try in 2012. 

Here are our favorite crockpot eats from this year:

1. Crockpot Ziti
2. Crockpot Baked Beans
3. Healthier Crockpot Sloppy Joes
4. Crockpot Chicken Cheesesteaks
5. Crockpot Pumpkin Apple Spice Cake 

I can’t wait to see your best crockpot recipes from this past year.  Link up a post containing a recap of your best crockpot recipes from 2011, or link up an individual top recipe choice.  If you have recipes for the other days this week, link up to best breakfast, breads, soup & main dishes… and don’t forget to come back tomorrow for dessert!

Please make sure to include a link back to the Countdown here on Finding Joy in My Kitchen so others can find the party & share their favorites.  You can do this by including the countdown button in your post:

<a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com " target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VbEVMUjhN__qZyZuJuRnpO_hWUfmoBES8jc1hWn_5qgLG5dv9d75061HxvK4x5zvXANOCW352UzOTMfYOxNMj0Lb6wFQ53U8gTmDqFDvncEjga_vSNeLipBkRFzLRsDC_J2bPhTT6m9w/s300/Countdown_Button_2011.jpg " alt=" Countdown to 2011 with Finding Joy in My Kitchen" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Countdown to 2012: Best Main Dishes of 2011

I hope you all are enjoying this countdown as much as I am!  Your recipes are really fantastic, and I’m feeling inspired to try new dishes in 2012.

Be sure to check out the best breakfast, breads & soup recipes from 2011 if you haven’t already.  Or, check them out on Pinterest!

Today’s theme is BEST MAIN DISHES of 2011.  Vegetarian, meaty… bring them all to cook up some delicious dinners.

We made some delicious dinner recipes over the past year – #1, 3, 6, 8 & 14 are real standouts in our house. 

1. Make-Ahead Spinach Pasta Bake
2. Calzones – Spinach & Mushroom
3. Roasted Garden Vegetable Lasagna
4. Vegetable Risotto
5. Rigatoni with Stewed Vegetables
6. Zucchini Pizza Casserole {gluten-free}
7. Butternut Squash Pasta
8. Balsamic Crusted Chicken and Wild Rice Pepper Salad
9. Smokehouse Maple Fajitas and Grilled Potato Fries
10. Zucchini Burgers
11. Pizza Pockets
12. Tater Tot Hotdish with homemade tater tots
13. Garden Vegetable Ricotta Pizza
14. Parmesan Crusted Chicken with a Crème Sauce
and, a bonus holiday recipe: Bacon-Infused Self-Basting Turkey & Gravy!

Link up a post containing a recap of your best main dish recipes from 2011, or link up an individual top recipe choice. 

Please make sure to include a link back to the Countdown here on Finding Joy in My Kitchen so others can find the party & share their favorites.  You can do this by including the countdown button in your post:

<a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com " target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VbEVMUjhN__qZyZuJuRnpO_hWUfmoBES8jc1hWn_5qgLG5dv9d75061HxvK4x5zvXANOCW352UzOTMfYOxNMj0Lb6wFQ53U8gTmDqFDvncEjga_vSNeLipBkRFzLRsDC_J2bPhTT6m9w/s300/Countdown_Button_2011.jpg " alt=" Countdown to 2011 with Finding Joy in My Kitchen" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Countdown to 2012: Best Soups & Stews of 2011

This week has already been so much fun!  Have you found any new recipes you will need to try? 

It’s not too late to join in – Monday was breakfast day, and Tuesday was all about bread; those links are still open.  Also, be sure to follow on Pinterest too!   

Today’s theme is BEST SOUPS & STEWS of 2011:

1. Roasted Vegetable Minestrone
2. Crockpot Italian Sausage Vegetable Soup
3. Crockpot Vegetable Beef Stew with Brown Rice
4. Cheese-Crusted Lasagna Soup
5. Cheesy Vegetable Soup
6. Turkey & Pepper Stew

I can’t wait to see your best soups & stew recipes; soups & stews are some of our favorite things to eat in the winter & we could use new recipes.  Link up a post containing a recap of your best soup & stew recipes from 2011, or link up an individual top recipe choice. 

Please make sure to include a link back to the Countdown here on Finding Joy in My Kitchen so others can find the party & share their favorites.  You can do this by including the countdown button in your post:

<a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com " target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VbEVMUjhN__qZyZuJuRnpO_hWUfmoBES8jc1hWn_5qgLG5dv9d75061HxvK4x5zvXANOCW352UzOTMfYOxNMj0Lb6wFQ53U8gTmDqFDvncEjga_vSNeLipBkRFzLRsDC_J2bPhTT6m9w/s300/Countdown_Button_2011.jpg " alt=" Countdown to 2011 with Finding Joy in My Kitchen" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Countdown to 2012: Best Bread Recipes of 2011

Thanks so much to all of you who joined in yesterday!  I’ve been drooling over the many delicious breakfast recipes I’ll have to add to our menu plan for 2012.  If you missed yesterday, feel free to link up today.   

Be sure to follow our Best Recipes of 2011 Pinterest Board – I am trying to pin all the recipes that get linked up here this week. 

The rest of the week includes:

{today} Breads
{28th} Soups & Stews
{29th} Main Dishes
{30th} Crockpot Favs
{31st} Desserts

Hope you’ll join us! 

Today’s theme is BEST BREADS of 2011:

1. Whole Wheat Honey Oatmeal Bread
2. Oatmeal Tea Bread
3. Olive Garden Bread Sticks
4. Savory Zucchini Bread
5. Raspberry Blueberry Banana Bread/Muffins
6. Sweet Potato Dark Chocolate Cranberry Bread
7. Grandma’s Cinnamon Sugar Bread
8. Whole Wheat Buttermilk Bread
9. Rustic Apple Bread

I can’t wait to see your best bread recipes.  Link up a post containing a recap of your best bread recipes from 2011, or link up an individual bread recipe that your family loves. 

Please make sure to include a link back to the Countdown here on Finding Joy in My Kitchen so others can find the party & share their favorites.  You can do this by including the countdown button in your post:

<a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com " target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VbEVMUjhN__qZyZuJuRnpO_hWUfmoBES8jc1hWn_5qgLG5dv9d75061HxvK4x5zvXANOCW352UzOTMfYOxNMj0Lb6wFQ53U8gTmDqFDvncEjga_vSNeLipBkRFzLRsDC_J2bPhTT6m9w/s300/Countdown_Button_2011.jpg " alt=" Countdown to 2011 with Finding Joy in My Kitchen" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Countdown to 2012: Best Breakfast Recipes

Hope you all had a blessed & joyful Christmas!  Frog Prince and I had a wonderful time with family – both near & far, and are very much looking forward to a continued week of R&R. 

Today, we are kicking off our countdown to 2012 by sharing our best recipes of 2011 with you.  Today’s theme is the BEST BREAKFAST RECIPES of 2011!  Here are our top picks:

1. Homemade Greek Yogurt
2. Goody Poody Pancakes
3. Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes
4. Pumpkin Pancakes with Apple Topping
5. Sweet Potato Baked Oatmeal with Craisins
6. Make Ahead Brunch Bake
7. Apple Cider Doughnut Holes
8. Waffles of Insane Greatness
9. Chicken Spinach Quiche
10. Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal Cups

I can’t wait to see your best recipes.  Link up a post containing a recap of your best breakfast recipes from 2011, or link up an individual top recipe choice. 

Please make sure to include a link back to the Countdown here on Finding Joy in My Kitchen so others can find the party & share their favorites.  You can do this by including the countdown button in your post:

<a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com " target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VbEVMUjhN__qZyZuJuRnpO_hWUfmoBES8jc1hWn_5qgLG5dv9d75061HxvK4x5zvXANOCW352UzOTMfYOxNMj0Lb6wFQ53U8gTmDqFDvncEjga_vSNeLipBkRFzLRsDC_J2bPhTT6m9w/s300/Countdown_Button_2011.jpg " alt=" Countdown to 2011 with Finding Joy in My Kitchen" width="125" height="125" /></a>

 

All week long, I’ll be pinning the recipes on “THE BEST RECIPES OF 2011” Board.  Be sure to follow along!

Countdown with us to 2012!

With Christmas just a week away, that means 2012 will be here in just two weeks!  One of the things I most look forward to about the end of the year, is the chance to look back through the recipes Frog Prince and I made in our kitchen this year, and pick out our favorites. 

In 2009 and 2010 I shared with you these best picks of the year during the week between Christmas & New Years.  This year, I have some of my favorite bloggers joining in with the countdown to 2012: 

Laura from Real Mom Kitchen

Reeni from Cinnamon Girl Recipes

Jackie from Loving My Domestic Life

Lynn from Lynn’s Kitchen Adventure
and, Lynn’s Recipes Adventures

And, Jenna from the Newlywed’s Blog

 

And, I’m also inviting YOU! 

Dear readers, I love your blogs and most often find my recipe inspiration from you!  I would LOVE for you to share your best recipes with us as part of our countdown to 2012. 

The Categories & Dates

Starting December 26th (Monday), come & link up a post containing your TOP recipes in that category from 2011. 

• December 26th – Best Breakfast Recipes
• December 27th – Best Bread Recipes
• December 28th – Best Soup & Stew Recipes
• December 29th – Best Main Dish Recipes (meat/no-meat, all in!)
• December 30th – Best Crockpot Recipes
• December 31st – Best Dessert Recipes

Want to participate?  The Details

Participating is really quite simple:

(1) Look through your posts from 2011, and identify your favorites.
(2) Create a post with these favorite recipes.
(3) Link up the post to the appropriate category.
(4) Visit other bloggers to see their top recipes from 2011.  It’s a great way to find new meals for your family for 2012. 

Feel free to participate one day, or participate all the days!  If you don’t have a blog,  leave your recipe in the comments! 

If you're participating, grab the button below:

<a href="http://joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com " target="_blank"><img src=" https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VbEVMUjhN__qZyZuJuRnpO_hWUfmoBES8jc1hWn_5qgLG5dv9d75061HxvK4x5zvXANOCW352UzOTMfYOxNMj0Lb6wFQ53U8gTmDqFDvncEjga_vSNeLipBkRFzLRsDC_J2bPhTT6m9w/s300/Countdown_Button_2011.jpg " alt=" Countdown to 2011 with Finding Joy in My Kitchen" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Can’t wait to see your BEST RECIPES of 2011. 

Will you be a part of our countdown to 2012?

Get ready for the Countdown to 2012!

What a week it has been!  Sorry that I don’t have a new recipe for you today… I just haven’t gotten that far this week.  We are in our last week of classes, and next week is finals week, which means I’ve had lots of students in my office talking about their projects and exams.  Oh, and I have piles of grading too.  But, the good news is – there is light at the end of the tunnel!  I love Christmas season because there is truly a break to relax and spend time with family. 

And, you know what follows Christmas… right?!  Yep, 2012.  That means it’s time to announce this years countdown!

Countdown to 2012

Starting December 26 and running through December 30, please join us in recapping 2011 and looking ahead to 2012.  Each day, we’ll highlight our best recipes from 2011, and invite you to link up your recipes too!  Last year so many of you shared your favorites from 2010 – I can’t wait to see a recap of 2011’s best recipes. 

The Countdown Schedule

December 26th – Best Breakfast Recipes of 2011
December 27th – Best Bread Recipes of 2011
December 28th – Best Soups & Stew Recipes of 2011
December 29th – Best Main Dish Recipes of 2011
December 30th – Best Crockpot Recipes of 2011
December 31st – Best Dessert Recipes of 2011

Who’s Participating?

Some wonderful food bloggers have will be joining me in counting down to 2011 – look for best recipe posts from:

Jenna @ The Newlyweds
Laura @ Real Mom Kitchen
Jackie @ Loving My Domestic Life
Lynn @ Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures
Reeni @ Cinnamon Girl Recipes

You’re Invited too!

The best part about this countdown is that YOU ARE INVITED TOO!  Browse back through your recipes from the year and pick out your favorites.  Compose them into a countdown post showing off your best recipes and then come here to Finding Joy in My Kitchen and link them up! 

Feel free to participate for just one day, or for all the days!  I can’t wait to see all the recipes that you link up. 

Will you consider joining us?