Best of 2008...

I debated whether or not I should do this and in the end decided that I wanted to show case my top 10 favorite recipes from the past year! These are my favorites. Not necessarily the most popular ones but ones that I really loved and have made over and over again and have become family favorites. It was also really fun to look back and see how my blog has evolved in the year and half (411 posts) that I have been blogging.

Hope you enjoy...

Souvlaki

I found this perfect recipe for Souvlaki on my good friend Peter's blog Kalofagas-Greek Food and Beyond. Not only is this an incredible recipe but through the year Peter has become a very good friend of mine. When I was on vacation over the summer Peter very graciously took me and my family on a whirl wind tour of my hometown through his eyes. Great person, great friend and incredible blog!!!

Lemon Chicken Scaloppini

This has become one of my families favorite meals. Served with rice the sauce is perfect for it. It is a perfect balance of sour and savory. Love this dish! Thanks The Food Channel!

Greek Stuffed Peppers

This was another recipe of Peter's from Kalofagas-Greek Food and Beyond. I was very hesitant to try this one as it has mint and dill in it. 2 things T. hates but I went ahead and everyone loved it!!! Even my tomato hater!

Pomegranate Lemon Bars

These came to be with a pomegranate that had been tagged for something else that I never got around to making. Oldest daughter was home sick and I thought this would make for a nice treat for her. Turned out wonderful and can't wait to make these again! I also needed to make something for some pics that I needed taken for an interview that I did with the fine folks at Capessa.com. Jo from the Adventures of Kitchen Girl has the links embedded in a great post she wrote about me!!! Thanks again Jo!

Pasta with Squash and Prawns

This is an incredible recipe that is nothing like you wold expect it to be. It is made with butternut squash as the sauce! We eat this quite regularly as it is one of my favorite ways to eat squash!!!

Sunshine Citrus Marinade

This is a very, quick and flavorful marinade to help you jazz up that mid week grilled or broiled chicken. It is one of my most searched recipes and is one that I keep coming back to again and again.

Homemade Fig Preserves over Brie

This was a surprise hit. I had been to Whole Foods and had sampled their version of Fig Preserves over Brie. I figured I could make it myself. Guess what? I did and it was really, really good!!!

Beer Battered Squash Blossoms

I had never had squash blossoms so this was a huge treat for me. I loved them. These a zucchini blossoms which are the easiest to get. All you do it clean them up and whip up this real simple beer batter and fry them gently and munch away! We all love these!

Split Pea Soup (vegetarian)

My family is filled with pretty hard core omnivores with meat playing a very strong role in the diet. Over the past year this has changed...a lot! One of the ways that I did this was to make the vegetables the main attraction of the meal. I have also incorporated many vegetarian dishes into our meals. This one for Split Pea Soup is one of our favorites and most requested from all of them! I found this on Heidi Swanson's Blog - 101 Cookbooks

And last but not least...

Homemade HOT Sauce


I made this for T. for his Christmas gift this year. I had no idea when I made it what a huge success it would be. He loved it and I loved the fact that I could play around with the recipe of he didn't like it. Adjust the vinegar to make is less so, add more or less heat. Possibilities are endless. I go this recipe from Caron's blog To Market, To Market with San Diego Foodstuff and was so happy with it!!!

Honorable Mentions:

Grass Fed Arm Roast, Cooked Slow and Low

Oven Roasted Beets

Pico de Gallo

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Peanut Butter Bars

Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing

Hope you enjoyed this roundup of my favorite Top Ten recipes from 2008!

I have loved my first full year of blogging. And it was made all the more wonderful by the incredible food bloggers that I have had the chance to meet and get to know. I would be hard pressed to believe that there was another group of people out there that are more supportive, friendlier and more helpful than food bloggers. Special thanks goes out to:

Kelly
Annie
Ben
Jerry
Peter
Jenn
Val
Jo
Jill
Sandy
Andrea
Elle
Nikki
Courtney
Lori

If I missed anyone I am incredibly sorry...

As Always...

Happy Entertaining!!!

Judy
www.nofearentertaining.com

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Happy New Year!!! (was that really yesterday?)

Oh boy. I missed whole day. It all started on New Year's Eve. I took my Mom to the airport got home and suddenly (no joke-- it was suddenly) I was sick. Stuffed up nose, headache, body aches, fever etc. I kept my fingers crossed that she would make it home to Toronto safely, we have had times when we have made several return trips to the airport. We had a casual get together that night that we were going to but by the time T. got home I knew that I should not be going but was too sad to even think about missing it! I really hope I didn't infect anyone...you all know who you are! T. realized that at about 10 o'clock I was done and needed to be home and in my bed. I got home and went to bed and got up today! I really did miss New Year's Day.

Hope you all had a great one and didn't make too many New Year's Resolutions! They always seem to make us feel so bad about ourselves if we can't keep them. Set some nice goals for yourself and thank me later!!!

I have some great foodie things and a recipe that my oldest daughter created and fed us to post but that will all have to wait...I need to go back to bed!

As Always...

Happy Entertaining!!!

Judy
www.nofearentertaining.com

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Autism Wishes 2008

My autism wish list for 2008:

1. That all persons with autism, their friends and family members will have the best possible year in 2008 with access to effective evidence based intervention, autism trained teacher aides and teachers and appropriate residential care and housing.

2. That a cure will be found for autism, a cure which is capable of reversing, even amongst older autistic children and adults, some of the most severe aspects of autism disorder, a serious neurological disorder.

3. That the stigmatization of intellectually impaired autistic persons by society at large, by prominent media organizations, by some very intelligent and higher functioning autistic persons, and by some 'autism hub' bloggers will cease.

4. That the few who disagree with my views on autism see the error of their ways. :-)

Happy New Year to All!

autism

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