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The Best of 2018



The most popular recipe on my blog for 2018 was this Orzo With Roasted Vegetables that I served for visitors who came over for dinner after attending the International Speciality Coffee Expo held in Seattle last year.   This is a HUGE, international trade show that several of Bruce's business associates attend.  It's always fun to have them over to our house while they're in town. 
There are always a few people from Bruce's company who come over and then a couple people from other countries, as well.  It's always a very interesting group and there is lots to talk about because after all, they are here for a coffee convention!  And we all love coffee, right?  I'll usually go to the Coffee Convention at least one of the days to check out all the coffee exhibits and free samples...you can read about it here and here.  It's my favorite trade show that Bruce goes to.  Sadly, it is going to be in Boston for 2019 so we won't be hosting any dinner this year.  I usually have one top three recipe from this dinner  because I pick recipes that are the best-of-the-best.  When I cook for my family, I often "experiment" and try new recipes - not that they mind. 

Coming in at #2 of the Best of 2018 was my Low Sugar Granola recipe.  


I adapted this recipe to be lower in sugar because Bruce and I got addicted to it and ate this for several months. We served it when we had three of my sisters and husbands staying at our house for my niece's wedding last year. That was a week of great food and eating, what my family is known for.  (ha ha ha)  The original recipe is here from a local food blogger and restauranteur here in Seattle named Molly Wisenberg. In fact, we just went to one of her restaurants last week, Delancey.  They have some of the best pizza in town...
The third most popular recipe on my blog last year and one of my favorites was Creole Shrimp and Creamed Corn.


I still can't believe this is a Cooking Light Diet recipe.  I made this early in the year after the holidays when we were trying to recuperate from all our holiday eating.  We're actually doing that now only I'm doing a version of the Plant Paradox Diet which is also an anti-inflammatory diet.  I've been doing it since summer and the good news is that I didn't gain weight over the holidays and feel like I'm eating a lot "cleaner".  It's basically like a Paleo diet, no grains or sugars.  I only list the top three recipes over the previous year, but #4 was actually the Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake I made for Lauren's birthday.  The gluten-free items I've made have been very acceptable to everyone so I'll probably continue, like Bruce's carrot cake I made for his birthday.  I do feel good on the diet and it has gotten to be not so difficult.  Unfortunately, none of the above Top 3 recipes of 2018 would be allowed on the diet!  Like I said, I'm only doing a version of the Plant Paradox Diet which means I go off of it a lot...I just can't give up everything but the amount that I do, seems to benefit me.  Let's see what 2019 brings.  
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