A list of the top 17 recipes of 2017. Pin them, save them or bookmark them to make in the New Year!
I can think of nothing but the oft-used expression of someone at the threshold of a new year, “Oh my, how time has flown! I cannot believe that we’re at the end of another year…!!”. Millions around the world are thinking the same thing, much as we inevitably do every December. And even though clichéd, it is one of the truest sentiments.
2017 has been good to me and the blog. Blogging is turning out to be hard work as the months go by. It is not enough if one can churn out good content periodically, but one must also juggle many technical, PR and research tasks. I have learned a lot, and I have let several things pass me by. I think I have improved on the SEO and social media front, but the technicalities of maintaining the website leaves a lot to be desired. But I am okay with it. Given a choice between being creative and just churning out content for the numbers, I will always pick the former.
2017 put me in touch with several lovely brands, both big and small. And as always, thank you for supporting brands that support us. But the biggest surprise of 2017 has been Instagram. I think it is my favorite social media platform right now. To the uninitiated, Instagram (IG) seems finicky or even fake. Granted that most of the “big” IG feeds are carefully curated, and every post is picture-perfect with glossy filters bearing no resemblance to everyday life. But, I don’t let that faze me and just try to be as creative as I want to be. It is hard to grow an organic following there, but IG has given me many lovely friends and acquaintances; some bloggers and some not. Follow me on Instagram if you aren’t already, and drop me a comment here with your handle name. I’d love to connect.
I hope 2018 turns out to be an even more creatively enhancing year. But before that, here are the top 17 recipe posts of 2017. I pick these recipes based not just on blog traffic, but on a couple of factors. Firstly, these recipes have been tried and loved by readers like you. And secondly, several of them are my personal favorites; connected to special memories or finding their way into our meals regularly.
So, here they are, in no particular order. Click on the title links to read the entire recipe.
1. Kung Pao Chicken Noodle Bowl
One of my most pinned and saved recipes ever, this is a family favorite too. Chicken and vegetables stir-fried in a spicy Kung Pao sauce are tossed with al-dente rice noodles for an easy, delicious one-bowl meal. Great for days when you are too lazy to go out for a Chinese meal or when you are in the mood for something new.
2. Super Crunchy Oat Crusted Chicken Fingers
My mom whipped these up for the kiddo on our summer vacation last year. And since then, I have been making them regularly. It is a great alternative to those frozen chicken nuggets. It takes a bit of prep work, but once you make a large batch of these chicken fingers, it is so easy to fry or bake some for a quick snack.
3. Aloo Paratha (Potato Stuffed Indian Flatbreads)
These scrumptious golden flatbreads (paratha) stuffed with a spicy potato (aloo) mixture are a staple in many Indian households and a personal favorite. Eaten with a generous dollop of butter and cool yogurt, aloo paratha is comfort food at its best.
This playful take on the classic tiramisu is made with orange juice soaked lady fingers and a whipped cream cheese and berry topping for a delicious, kid-friendly dessert.
5. Carrot Chai Coconut Cake With Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting
This stunning two-layer cake is every bit as divine as it sounds. It is the moistest, softest, most delicious take on carrot cake ever. And of course, it has my favorite chai in it!
6. Pineapple Upside-Down Pancakes
Speaking of classic cakes, how about a popular cake in breakfast form? These fluffy pancakes with a lightly caramelized slice of pineapple in the middle makes that possible.
7. Pineapple Coconut Cooler (Virgin Pina Colada)
This year, I rediscovered the pineapple and this recipe is one of my favorite uses for this tropical goodness. If only summer would get here already!
I almost didn’t post this recipe because this is a such a classic, everyday recipe. But I am glad I did, because this spicy vegan Indian chickpea curry has several lovely testimonials to it’s credit.
Every time I make this cake or even think about it, I fall in love with this floral delicacy all over again. This beautiful bundt with notes of saffron, rose, cardamom and almonds in the cake, a lemon glaze on top, and decorated simply with pistachios and rose petals, is a delicious celebration-worthy cake. I am so grateful to the lovely readers and followers who baked this and sent me pics!
10. Salmon Tacos With Salsa Ranchera & Avocado Crema
Tacos are my weakness and it is also one of those few things that the kiddo gobbles up without me prompting him again and again. They call it taco Tuesday, but it really should be taco everyday!!
11. Carrot-Strawberry-Orange Smoothie
Smoothies really don’t need a recipe, but when you find a killer combo like this, it is worth documenting.
2017 really was the year of cakes for me, there are so many favorites! Be sure to save this recipe for when those cherries are in season again.
13. Minecraft Themed Layered Birthday Cake
I always make my son’s birthday cake and this year was no different. This three-layer vanilla-chocolate-vanilla cake with a buttercream decoration was tinted in shades of green nd brown for his Minecraft themed day.
This recipe should technically not make it to this list because I originally posted the recipe in 2013. But I revisited this family favorite and gave the post a facelift. And guess what, it just took off and I received so many emails and messages from readers who tried it. Go on, give it try when you have the freshest oranges in stores right now!
15. Vanilla-Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
I am so glad I finally conquered my fear of thumbprints and I have the perfect recipe for buttery vanilla cookies filled with the silkiest chocolate ganache. You don’t have to wait until next Christmas to make some!
16. Badusha/Balushahi (Mini Indian Doughnuts)
My son doesn’t like several Indian desserts because they can be quite monotonous in texture and extremely sweet for his taste. But these soft, flaky deep-fried pastries dunked in a sticky cardamom and rose flavored syrup hit the right note. Or maybe he liked them because grandma made these for him!
17. Best Ever Chocolate Mug Cake
What did I tell you about this being the year of cakes? Well not every cake has to be a labor of love. Sometimes all it takes are a couple of pantry staples, a coffee mug and a minute of your time, literally.
Did your favorite recipe make it to the list? Have you tried any of these recipes? Please do give them a try and let me know how it turns out. If you think any other recipe should make it to the list, let me know! As always, share your pics with me on social media and tag me (@happyandharried & #happyandharried)
Interested to see recipe roundups from previous years? Here are a few:
I hope you had a lovely year. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my posts and cheering me on. I hope to see you around in the New Year!
Have a blessed and fun-filled 2018. Happy New Year, y’all!!
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I am sharing this over at Fiesta Friday.
What a lovely collection, Anjana! Thanks for sharing it with us at Fiesta Friday! Happy 2018!
Thank you, Sandy. Happy New Year!!
Loved it all Anjana!
Will be taking your berry Tiramisu for my collection.