As another year draws to a close, it’s always a special moment to reflect on the incredible journey of delicious food, memorable travels, and cherished times with family and friends that filled our days from January 1st to December 31st. Here at Foodie with Family, 2014 was a truly wild and wonderful culinary adventure, overflowing with amazing recipes that brought joy to countless kitchens. It’s an absolute pleasure for me to delve into the analytics and discover which posts resonated most with all of you, our wonderful readers, this past year. The list showcases a delightful blend of exciting new culinary creations and timeless classics lovingly brought back from our recipe archives. As we bid a fond ‘Sayonara!’ to the year, join me in a delicious recap of the Top 14 most beloved posts of 2014. I’m eager to know: did your personal favorite make it onto this much-anticipated list?
Get ready to explore a vibrant collection of comfort food, quick meals, sweet treats, and even a few surprising lifestyle tips that captured your hearts and taste buds throughout the year. Each entry is a testament to the diverse culinary interests of our community, offering something delightful for every occasion and palate. Let’s dive into the countdown!
14. Totchos Supreme {Tater Tot Nachos}
Revolutionize your next Nacho Night with the ultimate comfort food innovation: Totchos Supreme, affectionately known as Tater Tot Nachos. This delightful twist combines crispy golden tater tots with a generous topping of savory chorizo, melted sharp cheddar cheese, fresh green onions, vibrant cilantro or parsley, finely diced bell peppers, a dollop of cool sour cream, and a drizzle of irresistible Smoked Paprika Chipotle Sauce. It’s an explosion of textures and flavors in every bite – crispy, gooey, spicy, and utterly satisfying. Perfect for game days, family gatherings, or simply a fun weeknight meal, Totchos Supreme promises to be a memorable hit that will have everyone reaching for more. Prepare for a new family favorite!
13. Bacon Jam
Prepare yourself for an incredibly addictive culinary creation: Bacon Jam. This intensely flavorful spread transforms strips of smoky bacon into a chewy, meaty, salty, and subtly sweet concoction that you’ll want to put on everything. Imagine spreading this savory delight on warm toast, topping it with a perfectly fried or poached egg for the ultimate breakfast experience, or even slathering it on burgers and sandwiches. It’s surprisingly easy to make, yet delivers a gourmet punch of flavor. Seriously, do not even contemplate halving this recipe; you will undoubtedly regret not having enough of this “Oooh-Mommy!” Jam. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it earned its legendary status among our readers.
12. Cajun Blackened Salmon
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this fabulous, flavorful, and incredibly versatile Cajun Blackened Salmon. The secret to its success lies in our Homemade Smoked Cajun Spice Blend, which imparts a deep, smoky heat that perfectly complements the rich flavor of salmon. This dish is not only remarkably fast and fantastic to prepare, making it ideal for busy evenings, but it’s also wonderfully family-friendly and delightfully frugal. Achieving that signature crispy, blackened crust while keeping the interior moist and flaky is simpler than you think. Serve it with a side of rice, a fresh salad, or your favorite roasted vegetables for a complete meal that feels gourmet without the fuss. It’s a healthy, delicious option that never disappoints.
11. Slow-Cooker Caramelized Onions and Fast French Onion Soup
Discover the magic of your slow cooker as the ideal method for creating large batches of luscious, deeply browned, and meltingly tender Caramelized Onions. This hands-off approach transforms humble onions into a versatile ingredient perfect for enhancing burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and so much more. As an added bonus, this post includes my foolproof recipe for a perfect French Onion Soup, utilizing these glorious caramelized onions as its rich and flavorful base. Imagine the savory depth of flavor and the pure comfort of a homemade French Onion Soup, complete with cheesy croutons, all made easier by your trusty slow cooker. This “Make Ahead Monday” favorite is a game-changer for meal prep and gourmet results.
10. Chicken Sausage, Kale, and Mushroom One Pot Pasta
Embrace the brilliance of one-pot cooking with this incredibly satisfying Chicken Sausage, Kale, and Mushroom One Pot Pasta. Imagine succulent chicken sausage sautéed with aromatic onions and earthy mushrooms, combined with nutrient-rich hearty kale and perfectly cooked noodles, all bathed in a garlicky, creamy, and vibrant tomato sauce. The best part? Everything cooks together in a single pot, making dinner a breeze and clean-up even easier. This culinary marvel puts a wholesome and delicious meal on your table in under 25 minutes! For an extra layer of texture and flavor, don’t forget to pass a bowl of warm Buttered Herbed Bread Crumbs to sprinkle over each serving. Prepare to reap endless compliments with this effortless weeknight hero.
9. Snickerdoodle Cake with Brown Sugar Cinnamon Buttercream
The name alone promises pure bliss: Snickerdoodle Cake with Brown Sugar Cinnamon Buttercream. This show-stopping dessert is the beloved snickerdoodle cookie magnificently reimagined as a moist, tender cinnamon vanilla butter cake. Each decadent layer is generously surrounded and frosted with a smooth, luxurious buttercream, exquisitely laced with the warm embrace of sweet ground cinnamon and delightful, crunchy bits of brown sugar. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors – soft cake, creamy frosting, and a hint of spice and sweetness that perfectly captures the essence of a snickerdoodle. Ideal for celebrations, special occasions, or simply when you crave an extraordinary treat, this cake is guaranteed to impress and satisfy every sweet tooth.
8. Easy Salted Caramel Fudge
Indulge in a truly exquisite homemade treat with this Easy Salted Caramel Fudge. This recipe yields an amazingly creamy, melt-in-your-mouth luscious fudge that feels effortlessly gourmet. Each rich piece is generously topped with a beautiful swirl of gooey, drippy dulce de leche, adding another layer of sweet caramel intensity. To perfectly balance the sweetness and elevate the flavors, a delicate sprinkle of crunchy Maldon Sea Salt flakes finishes each square. For those who appreciate an extra layer of sophistication, this fudge can also be subtly flavored with a hint of smoky, warm caramel bourbon, making it an ideal gift or a decadent indulgence for yourself. Its simplicity belies its incredible depth of flavor.
7. Homemade Claussen Knock-off Pickles
Craving that perfect crunchy, garlicky dill pickle without the fuss of traditional canning? Look no further than our incredibly popular Homemade Claussen Knock-off Pickles. This fantastic recipe guarantees pickles that are always delightfully crisp and bursting with robust garlic flavor, tasting remarkably similar to the popular refrigerated kosher dill pickles from Claussen. The best part? Absolutely no special equipment is required, and you don’t need any prior canning experience to achieve these flawless results. It’s a simple, straightforward process that delivers gourmet-quality pickles that are fresher and more satisfying than anything store-bought. Make a batch and keep them chilled for a refreshing, tangy snack or a zesty accompaniment to any meal.
6. Conditioner-Only Washing {no shampoo}
Yes, that’s my mug proudly gracing this unexpected beauty tip! This post, a surprising but incredibly popular departure from our usual food content, shares the true story of my personal journey into “Conditioner-Only Washing.” As crazy and counterintuitive as it might sound, this method involves giving up traditional shampoo entirely and has, over time, made my hair healthier, softer, and more vibrant than it had ever been before. This “crunchy beauty tip” has resonated with countless readers and continues to be one of our most-visited posts, still going strong after almost two years since its publication. For context, I haven’t used shampoo in over four years, a testament to the transformative power of this simple, yet revolutionary, approach to hair care.
5. Simple 6 Ingredient 6 Minute Creamy Tomato Soup
The timeless American pairing of a warm, gooey Grilled Cheese sandwich and a comforting bowl of tomato soup just got a significant upgrade. Introducing our Simple 6 Ingredient 6 Minute Creamy Tomato Soup, made entirely from scratch! This is no joke – in the same amount of time it takes to prepare your perfect grilled cheese sandwiches, you can have the silkiest, most flavorful creamy tomato soup you’ve ever tasted. Simply put your blender to work, and watch as basic pantry ingredients transform into a pure, wonderful soup. Say goodbye to canned soups, preservatives, and funky additives. This recipe delivers pure, unadulterated tomato goodness, proving that homemade doesn’t have to mean time-consuming, making it a true kitchen hero.
4. Candied Jalapenos
Prepare to have your taste buds utterly captivated by Candied Jalapenos, a truly addictive and unique condiment. There aren’t enough words to adequately describe the irresistible combination of savory, sweet, spicy, crunchy, and garlicky flavors packed into these vibrant pickled jalapeno rounds. Their versatility is boundless – spoon them onto sandwiches, tacos, and rice, or bake them directly into cornbread for an unexpected kick. They even make a fantastic topping for cream cheese served with crackers. Be warned, you will find yourself constantly craving more! A quick note: while widely known as “Cowboy Candy,” please refrain from using that specific name when referring to this recipe, as a company has registered it as a trademark and is quite particular about its usage.
3. Homemade Gyro Meat and Gyros
Why order takeout when you can create restaurant-worthy gyros in the comfort of your own kitchen? This incredible recipe for Homemade Gyro Meat and Gyros empowers you to craft perfectly seasoned flatbreads, generously filled to bursting with garlicky, herbed, and exquisitely crisped strips of our special Greek/Lebanese meatloaf. Each gyro is then loaded with cool, refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce (tzatziki), crisp salad greens, juicy tomatoes, thinly sliced sweet onions, crumbled feta cheese, and briny Greek olives. The recipe is designed to yield a substantial batch, allowing you to enjoy one savory meal immediately and freeze another loaf of the prepared gyro meat, ensuring that whenever those irresistible gyro cravings strike, you’re just moments away from a delicious, homemade solution. It’s a truly satisfying and impressive culinary project.
2. Easy Bacon Pea Salad
When it comes to simple, crowd-pleasing side dishes, it truly doesn’t get much easier or tastier than this Easy Bacon Pea Salad. This delightful cold salad combines the sweet freshness of peas with the irresistible salty crunch of crispy bacon, the sharp bite of crunchy red onions, and a rich, creamy dressing that ties all the flavors together harmoniously. It’s a wonderfully versatile accompaniment that pairs beautifully with almost any main course, whether you’re serving roasted chicken, grilled fish, or broiled steak. This salad is particularly fantastic as a vibrant and flavorful side dish for an Easter Ham, adding a burst of color and a medley of textures to your holiday spread. Simple to prepare, yet packed with incredible flavor, it’s a staple for any gathering.
1. Guaranteed Crispy BAKED Sweet Potato Fries
Claiming the coveted number one spot as the most popular post of the entire year, this recipe for Guaranteed Crispy BAKED Sweet Potato Fries clearly resonated with a common kitchen challenge – and for good reason! While achieving perfectly crispy sweet potato fries in the oven might seem daunting, and often yields frustratingly soggy results, it’s actually not hard to master. The secret lies in a few key, albeit not-necessarily-intuitive, tricks and techniques. In this comprehensive tutorial post, I meticulously share all my insider tips to ensure your baked sweet potato fries come out gloriously crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, every single time. Say goodbye to limp fries and hello to your new favorite healthy side dish! This guide is a game-changer for anyone who loves sweet potatoes.
And there you have it – the definitive Top 14 posts from Foodie with Family in 2014! This year was a testament to the incredible community we’ve built around a shared love for delicious, accessible, and often comforting food. From innovative twists on classic snacks like Totchos to gourmet homemade indulgences like Bacon Jam and Easy Salted Caramel Fudge, and even surprising lifestyle hacks like Conditioner-Only Washing, your engagement and enthusiasm fueled every single post. We explored quick and easy weeknight meals, celebrated decadent desserts, and demystified tricky techniques like achieving truly crispy baked sweet potato fries. Your clicks, comments, and shares made each recipe a success.
As we look forward to another year of culinary adventures, I’m genuinely curious: Is one of your long-time favorites missing from this year’s rundown, or did your most cherished recipe make this prestigious list? Which posts did you love best, and what kind of deliciousness are you hoping to see more of in the coming year? Share your thoughts and culinary reflections in the comments below – your feedback helps shape the future of Foodie with Family!