Top 10 Healthy Eats of 2015

Happy Holidays, everyone!  I hope your Christmas was fabulous and you’re healthy and rested from the many festivities.   After a little time off, I’m charging into 2016 with a renewed passion for cooking and I can’t wait to share some new ideas with you.  I’ll be sending out surveys in my newsletter to get your input on what you’d like to see here.  One thing I know for sure – everyone likes chicken and salmon!  Once again, those dishes made the top ten for the year and I’ve got some fun new chicken creations already lined up for January.

So let’s take a look at what you liked best….

#1.  Roasted Lemon and Rosemary Chicken

Such a simple dish yet it packs a punch that will surprise you.  When this is in the oven, your family is going to be pestering with “When can we eat??”.  Tuck a few artichokes in there and they won’t even notice.

#2.  Balsamic Chicken with Strawberries, Basil and Feta Cheese

It doesn’t come much easier than this – or any more delicious.  You can use frozen berries in the winter months to give you a nice break from our traditionally heavier foods.  There’s something about chicken with fruit that makes a meal special.

#3.  Tuscan Vegetable Bean Soup

From the moment I posted this soup 18 months ago, it’s been one of the most searched recipes on the blog every day.  I love this soup and it’s earthy tastes.  It’s so colorful and inviting and let’s face it, your guests are going to be impressed with anything you call, ‘Tuscan’,  ha!

#4.  Mediterranean Salmon

This dish looks like it’s a little more work but it’s an easy one too because you simply wrap the salmon with all the ingredients in foil, bake it and voila – gorgeousness.   It still surprises me that after two years, this recipe is still one of the most popular.  Time to reshoot some pics.  Oy vey – so much to do in the new year!

#5.  Healthy Popcorn Snacks

Thanks to Greatist.com, this recipe has skyrocketed on the blog.   They included this recipe in a round-up last January and it hasn’t lost any traction since.  Seems that popcorn is one very popular snack.

#6.  Tuscan Kale, Carrot and Parsnip Soup

One of my favorite soups for sure.  It’s so chock full of nutrients, flavor and color.  I made a huge pot of this and ate it for days on end.  It’s a filling meal even for the hungry carnivores in your family.

#7.  Ful Medames

This dish was created because I love international foods and Batman (the man!)  suggested that this popular Middle Eastern dish would make a nice addition.  I had not tasted fava beans before and this was one delicious surprise.  If you haven’t tried it, you must.  It’s a very cost efficient dish and the taste will blow you away.  We have so much to learn from other countries about cooking!

#8.  Turkey Bolognese with Quinoa Veggie Pasta

This dish made me dance because it came together so easily.  I love turkey.  I love pasta.  And I love tomatoes.  And when your dish can be especially delicious using quinoa pasta, you’ve got it made.  It tastes just like pasta, you guys!

#9.  Chicken Penne Florentine

So many of my recipes this summer were inspired by the fresh produce from the farms I am working with.  I was blown away each time I visited by the beautiful fruits and vegetables coming in from the field.   Can’t wait to see what the Spring will bring!

#10.  West Coast Paella

This recipe was a labor of love.  I miss living on the west coast and the fresh seafood so readily available.  I tend to think this is one of my best creations and I’ve made it often since – not changing a thing except maybe adding a little more bacon…hehe!

Looking forward to more fresh, whole food eating in 2016!

Cheers!