My Favourite Recipes from 2012

I shared your favourite recipes from this past year the other day, so today I decided to share some of the recipes that I loved, but that never made the list.

10. Hamburger Pie

This is a Clarke Family classic. I hadn’t had it in years, I had forgotten how good it is!

Try it!

9. Corn and Quinoa Salad

I just whipped this simple salad up one day this summer, I just sort of threw some stuff I had in the fridge together and it turned out to be amazing! So fresh and light, perfect for any BBQ or picnic.

8. New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies

I swear to you that the extra time and effort these cookies take are so worth it. TO DIE FOR!!

7. Chicken Noodle Soup

I was never a big fan of this classic soup, but I made my own stock and put in simple fresh veggies and it was amazing!

6. Lemon Buttermilk Cake

I am a sucker for anything lemon so this cake was perfect for me. The crunchy lemon topping is killer.

5. Penne with Goat Cheese, Kale, Tomatoes and Olives

This is my idea of a perfect meal! I could eat it everyday.

4. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies

I seriously can’t tell you how good these cookies are. Make them; eat them, just do it!

3. Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce

I just made this sauce a few weeks ago, but it is definitly one of this year’s favourites. So easy and so full of flavour. I will never make another spaghetti sauce again!

2. Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies.

Soft and chewy and salty and sweet. A perfect cookie!!

1. Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

People, I beg of you to make these. I am drooling as I write this.

I LOVE this recipe, and it is my favourite from this past year.

What were your favourites? Any that didn’t make the lists? Let me know!

I hope you all have a safe and happy New Year's Eve!

 

Jen

Left Over Mashed Potato Soup

I bet you all had a ton of leftovers after your big Turkey dinner.

If you are anything like me you end up cooking WAY too many mashed potatoes.

This is the perfect recipe to use up all of your left overs taters!

My sister Kate has been making this soup for quite a few years now. I had at her place about 5 years ago but I have never made it myself, until now.

What you need,

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6 slices of bacon, chopped

4 tbsp. butter

1 medium onion, diced

4 tbsp. all-purpose flour

4 cups of low sodium chicken broth

2 cups left over mashed potatoes, I used heaping cups!

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Salt and Pepper to taste

Chopped fresh parsley or chives, optional

In a large Dutch oven cook the chopped bacon over medium high heat, until crisp.

Remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and let them drain on a paper towel lined plate.

Drain off the excess bacon fat.

Melt the butter in the pot and add in the chopped onion. Cook for 8-10 minutes until the onions are soft and starting to caramelize.

Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Whisk in the chicken stock until smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it thicken slightly, about 10 minutes.  Stir in the mashed potatoes.

Turn down the temperature to medium and cook until heated through, about 10-15 minutes.

Stir in the cheddar cheese.

Season the soup with salt and pepper to your taste.

Garnish with some of the bacon bits and some chopped fresh parsley or chives.

This soup is amazing. I think I will be making extra mashed potatoes from now on, just so I can make this soup.

It is warm and comforting and full of wonderful flavour.

The crispy bacon topping really kicks it up!

I loved it!

Thanks for the recipe Kate, you rock!

Jen

Recipe from my lovely sister Kate

Top 10 Most Viewed Recipes of 2012

I am not sure how it can be the last few days of 2012. It really feels like this year just started.

I thought it would be fun to take a look back at your favourite recipes from this past year.

Here they are,

10. Herb Crusted Salmon

This recipe is crazy good. It is my go to salmon recipe.

9. Bachelor Button Cookies

These cookies were my Grandma Clarke’s speciality. I love them and I miss her every day. They made the list last year too and I am glad people are still enjoying them!

8. Morning Glory Muffins

These muffins make a perfect on the go breakfast. They are so full of flavour and texture.

7. Pepperoni Pizza Bites

These tasty little bites are the perfect addition to any party.

6. Better Than Crack Brownies

What can I say … Just look at these babies!

5. Mushroom Roll Ups

A classic appie that has never gotten old. I still can’t stop myself from eating them till my stomach hurts!

4. Creamy Caesar Salad Dressing

Simple and easy and WAY better than the bottled stuff.

3.Wife Saver

A great make ahead breakfast good for Christmas morning or any morning!

2. Cactus Cut Potatoes

This recipe is really about the dip, it is spicy and creamy and a perfect pairing with the crisp potatoes

1. Orzo with Parmesan and Basil

This recipe is amazing, and thanks to Pinterest a bunch of you have gotten to try it too. It just exploded on this year, so many re-pins!

It is easy and flavourful and a perfect side dish for almost any meal!

So there you have it,  the top 10 most viewed recipes this year!

Thank you all again for taking the time to visit me!

I hope I can come up with some great recipes to keep you coming back in 2013!

Jen

Merry Christmas

I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with family, friends, laughter and tons of food!

Thank you all for taking time out of your busy lives to visit my crazy Tiny Oven!
You guys are the best!

Jen

Christmas Sangria

I can’t believe it is Christmas Eve Eve! 

I am just getting all my prep work done for Christmas Day, making my cranberry sauce, homemade buns, and Hawaiian salad.

My in house taste tester and I are going to my friend Tracy’s for Christmas Eve. She is having a gathering of sorts, full of appetizers, Christmas baking and cocktails!

I volunteered to bring some Christmas Sangria.

This is a great recipe, so easy and it tastes like the holidays!

What you need,

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2 bottles of red wine, I used Zinfandel it is nice and fruity

6 oz. Cointreau or Triple Sec

2 tbsp. honey

3 cinnamon sticks

2 oranges or clementines, cut into small wedges

2 pears, chopped into small pieces

3 granny smith apples, chopped into small pieces

2 cups fresh cranberries

Pour the wine into a big pitcher, stir in the Cointreau and honey. Toss in the cinnamon sticks and fruit, stirring to combine.

Cover the container and put in the fridge for 24 hours.

Serve cold or at room temperature. 

It tastes lovely. A little bit spicy and a lot fruity.

A perfect holiday cocktail!

Enjoy!

Jen