Discover A Cedar Spoon’s Top 10 Reader Favorite Recipes of 2015: Your Most Loved Dishes Revealed

As we fondly reflect on a truly wonderful year, 2015 stands out as a pivotal period for A Cedar Spoon, made exceptional by the unwavering support and enthusiasm from each one of you! This year marked significant transformations and exciting new beginnings, both in my personal life and for the growth of this blog.

Just over a year ago, my family embarked on a new adventure, moving our lives from the bustling energy of Chicago to the welcoming embrace of Cleveland. This geographical shift prompted a profound personal decision: to step away from my full-time career and wholeheartedly dedicate my time to nurturing my burgeoning passion – A Cedar Spoon – and to savor more precious moments at home with my children. The prospect of leaving a stable job and a steady paycheck was, I admit, quite daunting. It felt like a leap of faith into the unknown. However, looking back now, I can genuinely say I have never been happier or felt more fulfilled. It’s a decision I haven’t regretted for a single second, as it allowed me to align my daily work with my deepest passions.

What initially began as a humble space to share cherished recipes with my immediate family and closest friends has, over this past year, blossomed into something far grander and more meaningful than I could have ever envisioned. A Cedar Spoon is now my full-time creative endeavor, a platform where I joyfully craft and share new, wholesome, and delicious recipes with a vibrant, global community. This is more than just a job; it is my absolute passion. I genuinely look forward to “going” to work every day, feeling incredibly blessed to have somehow stumbled into a career that allows me to merge my lifelong love for cooking with the incredible opportunity to connect with so many wonderful people.

My culinary journey commenced in my childhood kitchen, standing beside my grandma and mom, learning to prepare traditional Middle Eastern delights like creamy hummus, vibrant tabbouleh, and savory kibbeh. Food has always been the magnetic center of my life – whether it’s exploring new flavors, experimenting with innovative recipes, discovering diverse global cuisines through travel, or, most importantly, sharing these rich experiences with family and friends. Now, I have the profound privilege of extending that cherished tradition of sharing not only with my intimate circle but with a broader audience worldwide. To merely say I am blessed would be an understatement of the joy and gratitude I feel.

Your continuous encouragement, thoughtful comments, and trust in my recipes have truly made 2015 the most rewarding and memorable year yet for A Cedar Spoon. I am incredibly excited for the fresh opportunities and culinary adventures that 2016 promises. My commitment remains steadfast: to continue creating easy-to-follow, healthy, and genuinely delicious recipes that you can effortlessly bring to your family’s table, always with the occasional, much-loved sweet treat to brighten your day!

Your input is invaluable and truly inspires my creative process! Please feel free to send me your ideas and requests for 2016 recipes via messages, emails, tweets, or Facebook. I genuinely love hearing what you’re craving and enjoy cooking up the types of dishes you and your family will undoubtedly enjoy. Here’s to wishing you all a safe, happy, and incredibly delicious New Year filled with wonderful flavors and cherished moments!

Your Most Loved Recipes: The Top 10 Reader Favorites from 2015

Without further ado, let’s delve into the culinary creations that captured your hearts and taste buds the most throughout 2015, beginning with the highly popular recipe that earned its spot at Number Ten:

Number Ten: Slow Cooker 4 Ingredient Shredded Beef Tacos

This recipe truly embodies the essence of effortless cooking without compromising on incredible flavor, making it an undeniable reader favorite for busy weeknights. Requiring just four simple ingredients, these Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos transform into a tender, juicy, and utterly delicious meal, perfect for a lively Taco Tuesday or any evening when time is short. The beauty of this succulent, slow-cooked beef extends beyond tacos; its versatility is unmatched. I frequently incorporate this flavorful shredded beef into various dishes, from vibrant salads and hearty quesadillas to satisfying burritos and even loaded nachos. It stands as a testament to how minimal effort can yield maximum deliciousness, solidifying its place as a staple in many households for its ease and incredible, family-friendly taste.

Number Nine: Vegetarian Breakfast Egg Muffins

Revolutionize your morning routine and kickstart your day with a burst of flavor and essential nutrition thanks to these incredibly popular Vegetarian Breakfast Egg Muffins. Generously packed with fluffy eggs, a colorful medley of fresh vegetables, and savory cheese, these muffins offer a fantastic way to ensure a wholesome and satisfying start to your day. What truly elevates their appeal is their remarkable convenience as a make-ahead breakfast option. You can effortlessly prepare a large batch over the weekend, store them in the refrigerator, and even freeze them for those truly frantic, busy mornings when every minute counts. They reheat beautifully, providing a delicious and healthy grab-and-go solution that outshines most processed breakfast alternatives. For those who enjoy a flavorful twist, I highly recommend exploring the equally delicious Southwestern Taco Egg Muffins for another exciting, flavor-packed option!

Number Eight: Warm Brie Cranberry Naan

Despite being one of my newest creations on the blog, having been posted just the week prior to this roundup, this Warm Brie Cranberry Naan appetizer absolutely exploded in popularity across all social media platforms. And frankly, its widespread appeal is entirely understandable! The exquisite blend of creamy, luxurious brie cheese with the tart sweetness of cranberries, all spread generously over soft, pillowy naan bread, creates a flavor profile that is utterly irresistible and perfectly encapsulates the cozy, festive spirit of the holiday season. This appetizer isn’t just incredibly delicious; it’s also remarkably simple to prepare, making it an ideal choice for elegant entertaining or a delightful, special snack. I confess, when I first made this, I found myself repeatedly reaching for “just one more piece”—it truly is that addictive and satisfying!

Number Seven: 18 Delicious Pasta Salads for Summer

This comprehensive collection, “18 Delicious Pasta Salads for Summer,” proved to be another resounding hit with readers, and I must confess, it was a somewhat “selfish” post for me too! My personal affection for pasta salads runs deep, and I craved a handy, curated list of inspiring recipes to experiment with. Pasta salads are an absolute culinary gem for any summer gathering, whether it’s a casual picnic, a lively barbecue, or a friendly potluck. They are wonderfully easy to prepare, transport, and serve, consistently delighting crowds, and provide a fantastic way to ensure a vibrant array of fresh vegetables graces the table. This diverse collection offers a wide range of options, from creamy and comforting to zesty and refreshing, guaranteeing a perfect pasta salad for every palate and occasion. They are, without a doubt, an essential component of any delightful seasonal feast.

Number Six: Healthy Fruit Yogurt Dip

At my home, this Healthy Fruit Yogurt Dip is an absolute non-negotiable staple for snacking, especially when generously paired with a vibrant assortment of freshly cut fruit. Its immense popularity comes as no surprise, given how incredibly simple, wholesome, and satisfying it is to prepare. This delightful dip requires just three core ingredients: rich and creamy Greek yogurt, your preferred nut butter (peanut butter is a consistent favorite for us), and a touch of golden honey for a natural, subtle sweetness. The result is a dip that achieves a perfect harmony of healthy ingredients, effortless preparation, and an undeniably delicious taste. It’s a guilt-free indulgence that appeals universally to both children and adults, transforming healthy snacking into an enjoyable and incredibly easy part of your daily routine.

Number Five: 20 Easy One Pot Meals

The ingenious concept of “one-pot meals” consistently resonates deeply with busy home cooks everywhere, which perfectly explains why this comprehensive compilation of 20 Easy One Pot Meals became such an overwhelming success. These recipes are truly the ultimate champions of weeknight dinners, dramatically simplifying the entire meal preparation process and, perhaps even more importantly, drastically reducing the dreaded cleanup time – because who doesn’t appreciate fewer dishes? By consolidating all the cooking into a single pot, skillet, or baking dish, these meals offer a streamlined and incredibly efficient approach to creating delicious, wholesome, and satisfying food. They often feature minimal steps and approachable ingredients, making them ideal for cooking novices or anyone seeking to maximize flavor with minimal fuss. I’m genuinely excited to continue exploring and bringing you even more innovative and deliciously simple one-pot meal ideas throughout 2016!

Number Four: Simple Massaged Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing

My unwavering love for kale, whether incorporated into vibrant salads or comforting soups, is well-documented, and it appears many of you, my cherished readers, share that same appreciation! This Simple Massaged Kale Salad with Lemon Dressing offers a delightful and interactive method for enjoying this incredible superfood. The “massaging” technique, while it might sound unusual, is an absolute game-changer – it skillfully breaks down the naturally tough fibers of the kale, transforming it into a wonderfully tender, palatable, and less bitter green. The dressing, a zesty and aromatic blend of fresh lemon juice, pungent garlic, rich olive oil, and savory Parmesan cheese, infuses the kale with an exceptional depth of flavor. This salad is not only perfect for a light, healthy lunch (consider boosting it with protein like tofu, grilled chicken, or chickpeas) but also serves as an excellent and refreshing side dish for any dinner, beautifully proving that healthy eating can be both easy to prepare and incredibly delicious.

Number Three: Greek Orzo Pasta Salad

Building upon the enduring and widespread popularity of my Summer Orzo Pasta Salad, a perennial top recipe on the blog, I knew instinctively that a Greek-inspired version was an absolute imperative. And judging by its stellar performance in this year’s roundup, you all emphatically agreed! Greek salads hold a very special place in my heart, cherished for their fresh, vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients. This Greek Orzo Pasta Salad expertly captures all the quintessential elements of a classic Greek salad – tangy feta cheese, briny olives, crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and an herbaceous dressing – all beautifully combined with the delightful texture of tiny orzo pasta. It’s a fantastic dish to seamlessly integrate into your rotation for the warmer months, perfect for make-ahead meal prep, and truly shines as a universally crowd-pleasing addition to any barbecue, picnic, or family gathering. Its bright, refreshing profile and ease of preparation make it a standout choice for anyone seeking a flavorful, simple-to-make side or a light main course.

Number Two: Simple Garlic Parmesan Green Beans

It’s abundantly clear from the immense popularity of this dish that many of you, my wonderful readers, deeply appreciate the inherent beauty and efficiency of simple, straightforward recipes, just as much as I do. In our increasingly fast-paced and busy lives, having access to easy-to-prepare meals and side dishes that never compromise on flavor is an absolute game-changer. These Simple Garlic Parmesan Green Beans perfectly exemplify that philosophy. They come together in virtually no time at all, making them an ideal, last-minute side dish that effortlessly elevates any meal, from a casual weeknight dinner to a special holiday feast. The tender-crisp green beans, generously infused with aromatic garlic and crowned with savory Parmesan cheese, offer a delightful and addictive twist on a classic vegetable. My family goes absolutely wild for these, and I am confident that yours will too, making them a fantastic and easy addition to your regular dinner rotation.

Number One: 15 Minute Shrimp Linguine with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

And now, for the reigning champion, your absolute favorite recipe of 2015! I couldn’t agree with you more – this 15 Minute Shrimp Linguine with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce is not only one of my personal go-to dishes but also a brilliant testament to how quickly an elegant, incredibly flavorful, and restaurant-quality meal can come together right in your own kitchen. If you are a connoisseur of succulent shrimp, this recipe is an absolute culinary revelation and a must-try. Plump, juicy shrimp are expertly sautéed in a vibrant and zesty lemon-garlic butter sauce, delightfully enhanced with a splash of white wine for added depth and complexity. This luscious, aromatic sauce then coats perfectly al dente linguine, with a final, elegant flourish of freshly chopped parsley for a burst of herbaceous freshness. It’s a dish that masterfully balances effortless preparation with a stunningly elegant presentation and exquisite taste, making it perfectly suited for a quick, luxurious weeknight dinner or impressive enough for a special occasion. Its remarkable speed, undeniable simplicity, and truly exquisite flavor profile unequivocally made it the standout recipe of the year!

Thank you once again, my dearest readers, for making 2015 such an unforgettable, inspiring, and overwhelmingly successful year for A Cedar Spoon. Here’s to all the wonderful meals, shared moments, and exciting new culinary possibilities that 2016 eagerly has in store for us!

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