Best Recipes of 2008I 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 Cocktail with Low-Sugar Cocktail 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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