December 29, 2008 — last updated September 24, 2017 by Kalyn Denny24 comments »
I love those end-of-year lists that start showing up in late December, and last year I had fun picking my twelve Best Recipes of 2007, even though some months it was hard to choose. I had that same problem this year when I checked the monthly recipe archives, so I decided to spotlight a few of my favorites from each month of 2008. Of course I don’t post recipes on the blog if I don’t like the recipe, but these dishes are my very favorites; things I would happily eat over and over. For January 2008, let’s start with the Black Bean and Beef Chili with Avocado, Lime, and Cilantro Salsa that’s pictured above. Another dish I loved in January was the Crockpot Recipe for Southwestern Pot Roast.
In February I really enjoyed this Crockpot Beef Stew with Olives, Garlic, Tomatoes, and Capers. Baked Swiss Chard Stems with Olive Oil and Parmesan and Chickpea Soup with Spinach, Tomatoes, and Basil were other dishes from February that I would eat any time.
In March, I posted this Pinto Bean Salad with Avocado, Tomatoes, Red Onion, and Cilantro, and I ended up making this over and over, sometimes with black beans for a slightly different version. Other March favorites included Perfect Taco Salad and Spicy Sauteed Chickpeas with Beef and Cilantro.
This Spicy Mexican Slaw with Lime and Cilantro from April might be the one recipe I’ve made the most in 2008, and it’s been a hit whenever I’ve served it. Other keepers in April include Roasted Tilapia with Black Bean, Mango, Lime, and Cilantro Salsa, and Chipotle-Lime Deviled Eggs.
Stir-Fried Tofu with Scallions, Garlic, Ginger, and Soy Sauce in May was my first time ever cooking tofu, and what a winner! Other favorites in May were Farro with Mushrooms, Thyme, and Balsamic Vinegar, and Whole Wheat Sesame Noodle with Spicy Peanut Sauce.
This Shrimp co*cktail with Low-Sugar co*cktail Sauce from June was a big hit with my dad and stepmother, and I loved it too. Other picks from June were Tarragon Mustard Deviled Eggs, Cucumber and Yogurt Salad with Feta and Dill, and Leftover Salmon Salad with Yogurt and Dill. (Reminder to self: plant more dill in the garden in 2009.)
In July, my next-door neighbor gave me the recipe for Carol’s Completely Fabulous Steak Marinade and Grilled Tri-Tip, and I made it all summer long. Also tasty in July was Mashed Cauliflower with Cheese and Dill, a great recipe from Sue.
In August I was wowed by this recipe for Baked Falafel Patties with Yogurt-Tahini Sauce that was sent to me by a reader. Other choices for August were Wild Salmon Roasted in Olive Oil and Herbs and Chickpea Salad with Tomatoes, Olives, Basil, and Parsley.
When Merritt brought this salad of Cannellini Beans in Mint Marinade to our neighborhood block party in September, I took one bite and asked her for the recipe. Another complete winner this month was the recipe for Marinated Tomato Salad with Parsley and Marjoram Dressing that I got from my sister Sandee.
This Autumn Harvest Soup with Butternut Squash, Kale, and Farro or Brown Rice was a hit in October, when I also loved Roasted Butternut Squash with Lemon, Thyme, and Parmesan. (Can you tell I had butternut squash from the garden in October?)
In November I was focusing on Low-Glycemic Thanksgiving recipes, and Broccoli Gratin with Swiss and Parmesan was definitely a favorite. Other November picks were Roasted Broccoli with Lemon and Pecorino-Romano Cheese, Farinata with Rosemary and Black Pepper, and Agave and Balsamic Glazed and Roasted Buttercup Squash.
Finally, in December I was inspired by my friend Susan to create this easy recipe for Roasted Carrots with Agave-Balsamic Glaze, probably the best carrots I’ve ever cooked. This month I also loved Hungarian Pot Roast with Sour Cream and Paprika Gravy and Sugar-Free and Gluten-Free Triple Almond Cookies.
So those are my picks for the best recipes of 2008, but there were certainly other good ones I didn’t have space to mention. If there was a recipe from Kalyn’s Kitchen that you liked and I didn’t include it here, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
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Categories: Recipe Round-Ups, Recipes,
originally published on Dec 29, 2008 (last updated Sep 24, 2017) by Kalyn Denny
24 commentsLeave a comment »
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ejm —Reply
What a good idea to look through the archives to decide what was best, Kalyn! Although I don’t know how you manage to narrow your recipes down!
I may steal your idea….
-Elizabeth
P.S. I love the sound of the Roasted Tilapia with Black Bean, Mango, Lime, and Cilantro Salsa! How did I miss seeing that?!
kellypea —Reply
Wow — that’s quite some array of delicious food. The pinto bean salad and Mexican slaw are something I could eat all week long. Happy New Year to you!
Kevin —Reply
That is a lot of tasty recipes from 2008! Have a great new year!
Karina Allrich —Reply
Every recipe on your list is so inviting. Your flavor combos are pairings I love- lime + cilantro, garlic + olives…tomatoes + basil. A year’s worth of goodness. Thank you for all you do. Have a healthy, safe and happy New Year 2009!
J.Danger —Reply
i think that the chili is my favorite! Enjoy your break.
Maria —Reply
I love all of your recipes! Thanks for a great year in the kitchen! Happy New Year to you!
Kalyn Denny —Reply
I’m still at my sister’s house but I’m reading all the comments and do appreciate them. BTW, house project is still going, but slow progress with the snow.
melissa —Reply
Oh oh! I forgot about the cannelinis! I have some right now, and mint too. Heck yeah!
I also LOVE the pinto bean salad from March. That is definitely getting tagged for lunches for me.
Congratulations on a year well done – I’m glad I found you sooner rather than later!
carole with an "e" in NYC —Reply
Hi Kalyn,
Love your Top 12 list idea, just like the movie critics. Happy New Year and continue healthy cooking in 2009. How is the house construction coming along?
sue bette —Reply
congratulations on a great round-up! I am excited to check out the falafel recipe (I somehow missed that one)
Best wishes on happy 2009 in the kitchen!Gabi —Reply
That’s a great list you put together! All the best for 2009 too 🙂
Johanna —Reply
Great recipes from over the year – I have been thinking of doing an end of year post but still a little unsure about how to so this is good inspiration!
Hope you have a wonderful new year and that you enjoy all the joys and challenges presented next year with your retirement!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) —Reply
Great selection of recipes; I’m bookmarking so I can follow along month-by-month in 2009!
Dianne —Reply
I love the round ups at the end of the year! I hope you have a fabulous New Year!
Maris —Reply
And I’m officially starving! This is a great round up for SB and non-SB foodies alike!
The mom~ster —Reply
Kalyn,
Happy New Year. Thanks again for sharing all your recipes with us. This morning I zipped on a pair of blue jeans that fit me over 6 years ago before my first baby and 25 ridiculaous pounds came along. (I’m so doing the happy dance today.)
I looking forward to getting the ingrediensts and trying out the chick pea soup recipe you recently shared — using my new Christmas present, an immersion blender (my husband is great with hints as long as you spell it out very plainly).
Hope you have a great visit with your sister … I still have plenty of weight to loose and love this new style of eating so I’ll be around plenty in 2009
Kalyn Denny —Reply
Thanks everyone for the nice comments and New Year’s wishes. I’m visiting my sister for the next few days so I might not reply too quickly, but I am reading all the comments.
(Amber, me too on phase one, and all phase one recipes coming up for the month of January!)
bee —Reply
here’s wishing you and your family a wonderful 2009, dear kalyn.
Amber and Tom —Reply
You got mine in January – the chili with avocado, and the southwestern pot roast. Mmmmmm! Those are two regular favorites around here. I’ve been scouring the site for new recipes since we’re going on Phase 1 again in January…
Mrs. L —Reply
Yummy. Lots of recipes to try out in the new year!
A Cowboy's Wife —Reply
HA! I was doing this on my blog tomorrow too:) Of course, mine don’t look near as good as yours but I think it will be fun to roundup the “good stuff”.
Peter M —Reply
Kalyn, a wonderful recipe with a varied dish touching all all food groups.
Have a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Greg —Reply
They ALL look good!
Even the shrimp and I’m allergic to shellfish…
Bruno —Reply
Hi Kalyn,
All good recipes but the crock pot beef stew w/ olives, garlic, tomatoes and capers is my top pick of them all!
