Year One

One year ago today I wrote the first blog post on this blog. To say it was a hasty decision would be an understatement. 2 days before I decided I was bored and tired of my old blog—that it just didn’t have the right direction or focus I wanted. In class I scribbled down on a piece of paper everything starting a new blog entails: A name, a design, a facebook page, business cards, even what I would change my twitter handle to. The next 48 hours I worked tirelessly making all of that a reality, buying the domain name and throwing together a header for a simple format, and starting writing.

After a year, not much has changed. And I’m glad about that. The header looks different, and my writing and photos(I hope) have both gotten better. But I still feel as passionate and determined on the focus of this blog as I did on day one. It’s made me try new things, as big as working at a restaurant for 3 months to little things like trying to make authentic macarons(which were a huge fail between you and me), and for all of that I am grateful.

I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate one year than looking back at what are my 10 favorite recipes, the ones that I still go to bed thinking about and end up making time and time again. I wouldn’t be surprised if in another year these are still favorites of mine. Maybe looking at these you’ll find a favorite, too.

Cheesy Rosemary Flatbread—For something that I made without cheese or gluten, these are incredibly tasty.

Microwave Fudge—What’s more dangerous than knowing you can make fudge in your own microwave?

Burnt Caramel Sweet Potato Mash—This one never really caught on, and I can’t imagine why. It takes mashed potatoes to a whole different level.

Almond Flour Brownies—The perfect gluten-free/grain-free brownie recipe in my mind. It’s the one I go to first above all.

Vegged-Out Quinoa—If you think you don’t like quinoa, this just might be the recipe to change your mind.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars—The name says it all with these. And just 4 ingredients, too!

Caramelized Onion and Balsamic Vinegar Bean Salad—Bean salad is never the hit of a party, but I think this recipe is an exception.

Raw Vegan Hazelnut Chocolate Cake—Easily my most popular recipe ever.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Dessert Hummus—Another recipe whose popularity astounds me. One taste and you’ll understand why, though. It’s deceptively healthy for something so delicious.

Flourless Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Fudge Sauce—Technically only the sauce is my recipe, and the cake is Godiva’s. It was a good enough cake to make for my birthday last year and it will be good enough to make again this year.