Love and Olive Oil

The Best of 2013

It’s time again to recount the best posts and moments from the past year. This particular task gets harder and harder each year. It was all I could do not to include EVERY RECIPE from 2013 (I really wanted to).

We traveled a lot this year, more than I remember ever traveling before (take THAT, fear of flying!) to San Francisco, Austin, Philadelphia, Portland, Louisiana, and Las Vegas, among others. We remodeled a bathroom, and vowed never to remodel another bathroom again. We still need a shelf. And a real shower curtain. But maybe, just maybe, I’ll post the results when we finally finish (oy).

This was the year I truly challenged myself in the kitchen, tackling croissants, macarons, bacon, and more (and don’t fret, after a 2 month hiatus I am bringing back the Kitchen Challenges next month!) Our second cookbook made its debut in February, and the rest of the year was pretty much a whirlwind. In fact, my mind is still stuck in September, I’m in a state of disbelief that tomorrow is January.

In attempt to have some semblance of organization in this here post, I’m dividing the best recipes into three categories: your favorites, my favorites, and eye candy. Of course, your favorites are also some of my favorites and some of my favorite recipes are also some of my favorite images, so I chose to show more posts rather than overlap. And even the recipes that aren’t featured here, well, I still love them. I wouldn’t have posted them if I hadn’t.

Here’s to making 2014 the most DELICIOUS year yet!

Love & Olive Oil's Best Recipes of 2013 - Your Favorites

Your Favorites (the most popular posts from 2013, by views) 1. Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad / 2. Jam-Filled Thumbprint Cookies / 3. Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches / 4. Rice Krispie & Peanut Butter Cup Brownies / 5. Ginger and Spinach Green Smoothie / 6. Pumpkin & Ricotta Stuffed Shells / 7. Sesame Crusted Tofu / 8. Meyer Lemon Macadamia Nut Tart / 9. Amaretti Morbidi Cookies

Final score: Healthy: 3, Sweet/Cheesy/Melty: 6. Everyone wins!

Love & Olive Oil's Best Recipes of 2013 - My Favorites

My Favorites (in addition to the ones above, of course!) 1. Elaine’s New York Cheesecake / 2. Brussels Sprout Mac ‘n Cheese / 3. Chocolate-Glazed Almond Horns / 4. Double Chocolate Chipotle Cookies / 5. Dark Chocolate and Marzipan Ice Cream / 6. Black Bean Nachos with Pomegranate Salsa / 7. Breakfast Tacos / 8. Chocolate and Hibiscus Macarons / 9. Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Crumb Cupcakes

Love & Olive Oil's Best Recipes of 2013 - Eye Candy

Eye Candy (my favorite images of the year) 1. Blueberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream / 2. Toasted Almond & Chocolate Granola / 3. Damson Plum & Gin Jam / 4. Lemon Hibiscus Soda / 5. Lemon Layer Cake with Chocolate Fudge Frosting / 6. Chocolate Peanut Butter Hot Fudge Sauce / 7. S’Mores Pumpkin Pie / 8. Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Ice Cream / 9. Butternut Squash Risotto with Pine Nuts, Balsamic Drizzle, and Fried Sage

I can only imagine what 2014 has in store for us! Happy New Year, y’all! Let’s make it a good one. :)

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25 Comments

  1. The pumpkin and ricotta stuffed shells..heaven!! Love this :)

  2. What a delicious year it’s been! Here’s to an even more delicious 2014!

  3. Oh YUM!  Everything looks amazing, and you’re inspiring me to go back and try some of the recipes I missed before. Happy New Year!

  4. Such an amazing year for you and I can’t wait to see what comes out of your kitchen in 2014!

  5. I love that Grandma Elaine’s New York Cheesecake made the #1 spot on your list of favorites! It has always been one of mine. And the cracks add character!

  6. I wish I could have a sampling of each right now. Good stuff!

  7. So much deliciousness – and all eye candy, if you ask me!  Can’t wait to see what next year brings.

  8. Sounds like 2013 was a great year. I can only imagine what 2014 will bring you. Happy New Year, Lindsay!

  9. That blueberry chocolate chip gelato was one of my favorites too! And the cake with the backstory of the book “lemon cake” … love that! Happy New Year Lindsay! I’ve loved getting to know you a bit better this year! 

  10. Great year for you, may 2014 be awesome ! :)

  11. Ohhh I love these posts – Its nice to see how much was accomplished in a year in terms of favorite recipes, so much goodness! Happy new year 2014! xo

  12. I am thrilled to see the Rice Krispie & Peanut Butter Cup Brownies from my cookbook in the #4 slot of most popular with your readers! Wow, I am honored and that’s really nice to see :)

    I love seeing what your personal faves were, too. It’s always interesting what a blogger loves and what the readers love. I always like to compare lists and love the eye candy reel. That blueberry ice cream is a show stopper!

  13. WOW what a delicious year!! I can’t wait to see the tasty 2014 you bring Lindsay!!  Have a happy new year

  14. What a great collection of great recipes. Can’t wait to see what 2014 brings. Happy New Year!

  15. I can’t wait to see what you bring us in 2014! Happy New Year! And Cheers to a delicious 2014!

  16. Reader favorites are so much easier to narrow down, using stats, but good grief was it hard to narrow down my favorites! I love that you added your favorite pictures too.

  17. I want all of it!! (especially the Philly Cheesesteak!!)

  18. Wow, everything looks so amazing!  Happy New Years to you both!!!

  19. Loving all of it!! It definitely was a delicious year. Too bad I can’t reach in and try a little bit of everything ;) 

  20. I wish you two also a very happy new year 2014!! I cant wait to see more of your recipes :D 
    Take care, rebecca

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