The Top Ten Recipes of 2010 from Kalyn's Kitchen
I never post recipes unless I really like how the dish turned out, so asking me to pick my best recipes of the year is like asking a mother to pick her favorite child.  Still, I love the top ten lists that pop up on blogs during the holidays, and I did manage to choose my favorite recipes in 2007, 2008, and 2009.  Last year I had such a hard time narrowing it down that I ended up with ten honorable mentions, and I did that again this year when I found it even more difficult to decide what made the cut.  (This is what my mother used to jokingly call “A Good Problem to Have.”)  I started with more than forty “best” recipes and narrowed it down to this list of twenty; all of these dishes are things that made me drool during 2010.

In 2010 I became infatuated with peperoncini, and the new recipe I’ve made the most over the year was easily this Peperoncini Chopped Salad with Romaine, Red Bell Pepper, and Feta.  I’ve probably taken this to at least 10 family parties since I first took it for Easter brunch at my sister Sandee’s house.

This recipe for Baked Halibut with Sour Cream, Parmesan, and Dill Topping is something I’ve made several times for guests, and even more times just for myself.

In the summer I came up with this easy recipe for Grilled Sweet Potato Salad with Green Onion, Basil, Thyme, and Feta, and I’ve heard from quite a few friends and readers who loved it.

When I was thinking about what to make with leftover turkey, I came across an idea that I adapted into this Coconut-Lime Turkey (or Chicken) and Rice Soup, and it I loved this for a change from the usual after-Thanksgiving turkey soup ideas.

I realize that stuffed peppers aren’t for everyone, but they’re something I’ve learned to love, and my dad went crazy over this version of Stuffed Green Peppers with Brown Rice, Italian Sausage, and Parmesan.

It took me a couple of tries to get this Crockpot Recipe for Double Lentil, Sausage, Brown Rice, and Spinach Soup just right, but when I let my brother Rand sample it, he liked it so much I ended up e-mailing him the recipe before it even showed up on the blog!

West African Chicken and Peanut Stew with Chiles, Ginger, and Green Onions is perfect to make with leftover rotisserie chicken, and I loved the flavors in this.

My walking partner and friend Bonnie found this recipe for Black Bean Salad with Jicama, Tomatoes, Cilantro, and Lime in one of the South Beach Diet cookbooks, and I adapted it a little into a version we loved.

Grilled Zucchini Pizza Slices were a huge hit on the blog when I posted the recipe, and if you’re looking for a way to enjoy the flavor of pizza in a version that’s gluten-free and also phase one, this recipe is perfect.

Roasted Cabbage with Lemon was a recipe that wowed me, and this was a hit with everyone I tried it out on during the year.

Ten More Honorable Mentions from 2010

~Twice Baked Sweet Potato Cups with Sour Cream, Chipotle, and Lime were a delightful change from the other ways I’ve cooked sweet potatoes.
~I absolutely loved Thai-Inspired Turkey Meatball Lettuce Wraps, although when I make them now I usually don’t bother to make the turkey into meatballs!
~When Rand brought me a little box of figs from his tree in California, I made Roasted Figs with Goat Cheese and Balsamic-Agave Glaze, and they were just amazing.
~I love fresh green beans most any way you cook them, but this recipe for Lemony Green Beans might be my favorite green beans recipe yet.
~I’ve been a fan of Egg Foo Yung for a long time, and this recipe for Chicken Egg Foo Yung with Mushrooms and Green Onions was as good as any I’ve had in a restaurant.
~Another long time favorite of mine is Mujadarra or Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions, and I was thrilled when I managed to perfect the recipe at home.
~These Spicy Whole Wheat Sesame Noodles with Chicken, Green Onions, and Cilantro are the kind of thing I’d make over and over for an easy dinner.
~I’m not sure how I came up with the idea of combining balsamic vinegar and tahini into a salad dressing, but Arugula-Chickpea Salad with Feta and Balsamic-Tahini Vinaigrette was completely a winner.
~When I’m cooking for my dad shrimp will always be a hit, and dad loved this Quick and Easy Spicy Broiled Shrimp.
~Finally, another recipe that took me several tries to get it just right was Shredded Chicken Salad with Green Olives, Celery, and Green Onion, but adding some olive juice to the dressing made the final version of this just fantastic.

More of My Favorite Recipes from Previous years:
The Top Ten Recipes of 2009 from Kalyn’s Kitchen (and Ten Honorable Mentions)
The Best Recipes of 2008 from Kalyn’s Kitchen
The Best Recipes of 2007 from Kalyn’s Kitchen

What was the best recipe you discovered in 2010?  And if I missed one of your favorites from Kalyn’s Kitchen, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

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