14 Recipes for 2014

POSTED BY: Stefanie LaSalle

It's a new year, and while most people are making their Best of (fill in the blank) 2013, I thought I'd share a to-do list I have for myself for 2014. And of course it involves food. Here are the 14 recipes I just HAVE to make this year. See the links for the recipes!

01. Hush puppies

Not just any hush puppies. Sausage Jalapeno Hush Puppies, from one of my favorite food blogs, Shutterbean. Two very important things happened in 2013 that made me put this recipe at the top of the list. One, I had my first hush puppy and it was magical. And two, I learned how to fry things without burning down the house.

02. Cauliflower Pizza Crust

One day when my gluten-free friend, Tess, comes over I will make her a pizza on a cauliflower crust. There are tons of recipes online, but I think I'll go with this one from Eat, Drink, Smile. Its doesn't have any crazy ingredients, and it looks like it could hold up some serious toppings.

03. Yogurt Pizza Crust

And while we're on the topic of pizza, if you haven't made yogurt pizza crust yet, you don't know what you're missing. It's a simple pizza crust that is made with Greek yogurt and self-rising flour. It's so fast and so tasty that you will want to make a big batch and stick it in the freezer for a quick weeknight dinner, or for last minute entertainment. I made these a couple times in 2013, but I added it to this list because I will be making more. Also, quick note, if you don't have self-rising flour on hand, you can make it.

04. Pickles

Pickles are great. I want to make them. I will make them! Check out this recipe from A Couple Cooks.

05. Cheddar Olives

There aren't many foods that I don't like, but on that very short list, olives were at the top of it. Until like, 3 weeks ago, when I ate one and realized that olives are delicious and I want them all the time. So this fancy looking, easy sounding recipe peaked my interest. Cheddar? Olives? Cheddar olives!

06. Eggs in Hash Browns Nests

I host Easter for my family, and I am seriously thinking of adding these to my menu. Potatoes and eggs? Delicious. And they look so pretty. My favorite food blogger and food network star, The Pioneer Woman, has a great looking recipe.

07. Scones

I've never been a big baker. Why? Probably because my family doesn't bake much. Probably because I didn't have the right tools to make baking enjoyable. My few experiences with baking have been overwhelming and messy and time consuming. The addition of a few new kitchen tools recently (thanks Santa) has made the the world of baking seem a little less daunting, and I've found myself saving more and more recipes. I can't wait to try these beautiful Heartbreak Raspberry Cream Scones from Sophisticated Gourmet. I have to wait until I have guests over though, because it's suggested they are eaten the same day, and I don't know if even I can handle eating nine of them on my own.

08. Classic Sandwich Bread

As you can see from the picture at the top of this post, I can check this one off the list! Here is the recipe I used from the professionals at King Arthur's Flour.

09. Wonton Cups

You can do some amazing things with those little wonton wrappers. We have our fair share of parties over the course of the year and I'm always looking for quick and delicious appetizer/party foods to make. Tacos, pizza, salad, and even ravioli!

10. Roasted Chickpeas...on everything.

We had these crunchy chickpeas on a salad at a restaurant this year. Here's a recipe from Steamy Kitchen! They are great on salad and plain as a snack.

11. Chicken Croquettes

I haven't had a chicken croquette since I was a kid. We ate the frozen kind, but they were one of my favorite meals. I had forgotten all about them until I stumbled this chicken croquette recipe. I don't know how they'll turn out, but I imagine if I do my job, they will transport me to my childhood like a little teardrop-shaped time machine.

12. Spiralized Sandwich Buns

I did a post on my purchase of a spiralizer earlier this year, and I've made a couple of recipes from the food blog, Inspiralized. But the one I really want to try this year, out of nothing more than pure fascination, is the Sweet Potato Spiralized Sandwich Bun.

13. Strawberry Shortcake Whoopie Pies

This variation on the classic whoopie pie from Cookies and Cups looks fresh and sweet and light. Just look at them.

14. Leftover Turkey Spring Rolls

Now, I can't only have ONE Pioneer Woman recipe on this list, can I? I might have to wait until next Thanksgiving to make these (or substitute chicken) but they look like a crisp, fresh bundle of goodness.