Recipe Round Up 2013

I have managed to steal away just 5 precious minutes to type this quick post. Our Christmas this year has been hectic – mirroring much of the rest of the year. We’ve had family and friends visit from all over the world return home to spend Christmas together and it has been absolutely lovely.

Christmas is a fantastic time to sit back and reflect on the year that has just passed, and we have enjoyed countless hours sat round the dinner table, or in the lounge with a glass of wine reminiscing.

With that in mind, I’m going to share with you some of the most popular blog posts (as well as my favourite) from the last 12 months.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

December – Cinammon and Apple Pancakes with Salted Caramel Sauce

These were a naughty treat I whisked up (quite literally) in the run up to Christmas. The cinammon and salted caramel sauce are a festive luxury.

November – Bonfire Banoffee Bread

As the cold winter nights drew in my kitchen became full of naughty baked goods. This banoffee bread was super warm and sticky which made the winter nights that easier to bear.

October – Carrot, corriander and chickpea burgers

October was the month that I moved in with Jon. Him being a vegetarian, I had to increase my repetoire of vegetarian recipes. This has become a firm favourite!

September – Tenderstem and Tofu, Sesame Stir fry

Over the summer months I tried packing extra vegetables into my diet. (You don’t get a bikini body by eating lots of cheese!) Tenderstem brocolli is one of my favourite vegetables which tastes great with almost anything, but especially stir fries.

August – Dark Chocolate and Passion fruit Cupcakes 

August was a month inspired by the Great British Bake Off. It was the first year I had managed to stay up to date with the programme and I found myself cooking batches and batches of baked goods in pursuit of perfection. I’m sure Mary Berry would be proud of these sweet cakes.

July – Mini Vanilla Doughnuts

For the first time in July I found myself no longer in education! The hours were spent well, experimenting in the kitchen and making these adorable mini doughnuts.

June – Parmesan and Herb Crusted Cod with Garlic Vine Tomatoes and Herb Roasted Potatoes

One of my favourite things about summer is the abundance of fresh fish. This recipe is incredibly versatile and you can swap the cod for any white, sustainable fish.

May – Barbequed Courgette and Bulgur Wheat Salad

With BBQ season arriving early this year, salad season came too. This salad is perfect for convincing carnivores to have a serving of salad alongside their BBQ’d meat.

April –  Pomegranate, Walnut and Bulgur Wheat Salad

This recipe is so fresh and zingy – it tastes just like spring!

March – Hot Cross Buns

Our first big celebration of the year was Easter – it’s another fantastic excuse to have friends and family round, and to cook up a storm. These hot cross buns are very traditional – something every cook should know how to make.

February – Low Fat Chicken Korma

Last year the post-Christmas diet stretched WAY into February. I expect that it will carry on into March this year… This Low-fat Chicken Korma was a staple this year and is perefct for anyone who wants to lose weight without compromising on taste.

January – Baked Spanish Eggs

Not ready to give up the Christmas festivities just yet? Then this recipe for Baked Spanish Eggs will bring a bit of luxury to your mornings.

So here you have it – 12 months of tasty, tasty food condensed down into just 12 delicious recipes. Hopefully there is something for everyone and it will inspire you as we move into the next year.

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful Christmas and have a very happy new year!