Your Top Food Recipes of 2014: A Delicious Culinary Retrospective
As 2014 draws to a close, it’s a wonderful opportunity to look back and celebrate the culinary journey we’ve shared together. This year has been filled with exciting flavors, heartwarming comfort foods, and innovative twists on classic dishes. Your engagement and enthusiasm for these recipes have made them truly special. To properly commemorate this delicious year, I’ve decided to create two distinct recaps: one dedicated entirely to your most cherished food recipes and another focusing on the delightful desserts that captured your hearts.
This post is a tribute to the savory sensations that graced your tables throughout 2014. From quick weeknight meals to weekend showstoppers, these are the dishes that resonated most with you, our amazing community. Each image below is a gateway to the full recipe, allowing you to revisit these beloved creations or discover a new favorite you might have missed. Get ready to browse through a delicious selection of the year’s top food recipe picks, handpicked by you, for every month of 2014!
Join us on this flavorful trip down memory lane, as we explore the twelve sensational recipes that defined our year in cooking. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a home cook looking for inspiration, these tried-and-true favorites are guaranteed to bring joy to your kitchen.
January’s Delight: Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizzas
Kicking off the year in January, you absolutely adored the ingenious concept of recreating these iconic Copycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizzas right in your own kitchen! This recipe brought the beloved fast-food classic to your home, offering a customizable and often healthier alternative. The allure of crispy tortillas, seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and fresh toppings proved irresistible, making it a stellar start to our year of favorite recipes. It’s a fantastic dish for family dinners or a fun movie night, proving that convenience and incredible flavor can go hand-in-hand without even leaving the house. The simplicity and nostalgic appeal of this dish cemented its place as a January favorite, demonstrating a strong start for homemade versions of restaurant classics.
February’s Fan Favorite: Copycat Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits
February continued the trend of popular copycat recipes, this time bringing the buttery, garlicky goodness of Red Lobster’s Cheddar Bay Biscuits directly to your home. These fluffy, savory biscuits are legendary for a reason, and our homemade version proved to be just as irresistible. Perfect as a side dish for almost any meal, or simply enjoyed on their own, they offer a burst of cheesy flavor and a tender texture that melts in your mouth. This recipe quickly became a go-to for many of you, transforming ordinary meals into something extraordinary and making every dinner feel like a special occasion. The joy of baking these at home, filling your kitchen with their incredible aroma, was definitely a highlight.
March’s Speedy Sensation: Easy Dump Salsa
As spring began to hint at warmer days, March ushered in this incredibly simple yet utterly delicious recipe for Easy Dump Salsa. What made this recipe a runaway hit? Its uncanny resemblance to authentic restaurant-style salsa, combined with the astonishing ease of preparation – it’s all made in your blender! Fresh ingredients come together in minutes to create a vibrant, flavorful salsa that’s perfect for dipping, topping tacos, or enhancing any Mexican-inspired dish. This recipe proved that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to achieve incredible taste, making it a staple for quick appetizers and flavorful meal additions. It’s a testament to the power of fresh ingredients and minimal effort for maximum flavor.
April’s Comfort Classic: Copycat Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole with Bacon
Who can resist the ultimate comfort food that is Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole? In April, I shared my rendition of this beloved dish, and what made it even better? The addition of crispy bacon! This copycat recipe captured the creamy, cheesy, and utterly satisfying essence of the original, elevating it with savory bacon bits. It’s the perfect accompaniment to breakfast, brunch, or even as a hearty side for dinner. The combination of tender hash browns, rich cheese, and the salty crunch of bacon was a resounding success, making this a top choice for gatherings and cozy family meals. It’s truly a dish that speaks to the soul, bringing a taste of down-home cooking right to your table.
May’s Main Course Masterpiece: Salisbury Steak Meatballs
The Salisbury Steak Meatballs I created in May quickly ascended to become one of the most clicked and adored recipes of the year, and for good reason! This creative twist on a classic comfort dish combines tender, flavorful meatballs smothered in a rich, savory mushroom gravy. It’s a perfect family-friendly meal that’s both hearty and incredibly satisfying. The meatball format makes it fun and easy to eat, while the deep, umami-packed gravy ensures every bite is pure bliss. This recipe is a fantastic way to bring a nostalgic dish to modern tables, offering a comforting dinner solution that’s always a crowd-pleaser and has remained a consistently popular choice.
June’s Grilling Glory: Apple Moonshine Glazed Pork Chops
June brought the glorious grilling season, and these Apple Moonshine Glazed Pork Chops were an absolute giant hit, especially after I made them for my husband on Father’s Day! The combination of sweet apple and a hint of moonshine creates an incredibly unique and tantalizing glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the grill. These pork chops are tender, juicy, and packed with an unforgettable flavor profile that perfectly complements outdoor cooking. They quickly became a staple for summer barbecues and special occasions, proving that grilling can be both sophisticated and incredibly delicious. This recipe truly captured the essence of summertime dining, making it a beloved choice.
July’s Cool & Convenient Cuisine: Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches in the Crock Pot
As the July heat wave settled in, the thought of turning on the oven was less than appealing. That’s why these yummy Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, made effortlessly in the crock pot, became an instant favorite! This recipe kept our kitchens cool and our tummies happy with its tender, shredded chicken infused with tropical BBQ flavors. Served on soft buns, these sandwiches are incredibly easy to prepare, making them ideal for busy summer days, potlucks, or casual family meals. The slow cooker works its magic, ensuring the chicken is perfectly succulent and flavorful, embodying the spirit of relaxed summer dining without compromising on taste. It’s a fuss-free meal that delivers big on flavor.
August’s Irresistible Innovation: Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes
August found us absolutely swooning over these Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes – a brilliant fusion of two beloved comfort foods! This recipe takes the iconic flavors of a Philly cheesesteak and combines them with the fun, messy appeal of a sloppy joe. The result is an incredibly delicious and surprisingly easy meal that’s packed with savory beef, sautéed peppers and onions, and gooey melted cheese. It’s a fantastic weeknight dinner solution that delivers on flavor without demanding extensive culinary skills. This innovative dish was a huge hit for families looking for something new and exciting, yet deeply comforting and simple to prepare, making it a true August highlight.
September’s Savory Surprise: Taco Meatloaf
In September, I spiced up a classic weeknight meal by serving meatloaf “Taco Tuesday” style, and the response was overwhelmingly positive! This creative Taco Meatloaf recipe quickly became a winner, not just with our readers but also with many of my blogger friends who remade it themselves. It combines the hearty appeal of traditional meatloaf with the zesty, familiar flavors of your favorite tacos. This dish offers a wonderful twist on an old favorite, making dinner exciting and flavorful. It’s incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with classic taco toppings, providing a fun and interactive meal experience that appeals to all ages. Its unique take on a staple earned it much praise.
October’s Comforting Classic: Vegetable Beef, Barley & Mushroom Soup
October brought the delightful arrival of fall weather, and with it, a strong craving for comforting, warming foods, especially soup! It looks like everyone was on the same page, as this hearty Vegetable Beef, Barley & Mushroom Soup quickly became a blog favorite. Packed with tender beef, nutritious vegetables, wholesome barley, and earthy mushrooms, this soup is a complete meal in a bowl. It’s perfect for chilly evenings, offering warmth and satisfaction with every spoonful. This recipe is a testament to the power of simple, nourishing ingredients coming together to create something truly spectacular and deeply comforting, making it a perennial favorite for fall.
November’s Brunch Beauty: Ham and Smoked Gouda Quiche
For lazy Sunday mornings, my family and I absolutely love to make quiche, and this particular Ham and Smoked Gouda Quiche has become one of our most beloved recipes. Featured in November, this quiche brings together the savory richness of ham with the smoky, nutty flavor of Gouda cheese, all encased in a tender, flaky crust. It’s an elegant yet easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for brunch, lunch, or even a light dinner. The sophisticated flavor profile makes it feel special, while its straightforward preparation ensures it’s accessible for any home cook. This quiche quickly established itself as a go-to recipe for gatherings and special weekend meals.
December’s Festive Favorite: Muffuletta Sandwiches
Finally, as the year drew to a festive close in December, these incredible Muffuletta sandwiches with their rich, savory olive spread stole the show. I posted this recipe as a brilliant idea for crowd-pleasing appetizers or essential Super Bowl party fare, and it truly delivered. Originating from New Orleans, the muffuletta is a sandwich stacked with layers of cured meats, cheeses, and a distinctive olive salad that infuses every bite with an explosion of flavor. It’s perfect for serving a crowd, as it can be made ahead and improves as the flavors meld. This recipe provided a fantastic option for holiday entertaining and remains a beloved choice for gatherings and celebrations, rounding out our year of top recipes with a bang.
Reflecting on a Memorable Year for An Affair from the Heart
Beyond the delicious recipes, 2014 was an incredibly significant year for “An Affair from the Heart.” I was absolutely thrilled to launch a brand new website in April, a major milestone that dramatically improved your experience here. This ambitious project wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support and expertise of a few key individuals whom I’d love to acknowledge and thank.
Jeni, from The Blog Maven, was instrumental in migrating all of the content from my old Blogspot blog to this beautiful new site. Her meticulous work ensured a smooth transition, preserving every recipe and post for you to continue enjoying. My talented friend, Rhonda, who owns FPO Designs in Omaha, brought my vision to life by developing the perfect logo that truly encapsulates the spirit of “An Affair from the Heart.” And finally, Lauren Hunt of LP Creative Co. designed this entire website; she has been an absolute God-send, not just with the initial design but also with her ongoing monthly maintenance and invaluable assistance. I can’t express enough how much I’ve appreciated her expertise and dedication, and I eagerly anticipate collaborating with her even more in 2015 to bring you an even better user experience.
This year also saw “An Affair from the Heart” venture into several new social media platforms, expanding our community and making it easier for you to connect and share your culinary adventures. I would be absolutely delighted if you continued to follow along with me here on the blog by entering your email in the upper right-hand corner of this page to receive updates, and also by joining our growing community across these social media channels:
Bloglovin’
Google +
Stumble Upon
Yummly
Thank you for being such an integral part of this incredible year. Your enthusiasm for good food and shared experiences truly makes “An Affair from the Heart” thrive. I am genuinely looking forward to all our new adventures and culinary discoveries in 2015, eagerly anticipating the fresh, exciting recipes we will create and enjoy together. Here’s to another year of delicious memories and shared meals!
Happy Holidays, and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR, my friends!
Michaela