2019 The 10 Best of What I Cooked

2019, it’s the end of a year I’m happy to put behind me.

But let’s focus on some of the food I cooked in 2019 that was great–my 10 best.

My new favorite corn salad: a riff from that Mexican staple, elotes, this will be on steady rotation next summer (or as soon as there is corn in the supermarket). It did however lead to this life-changing realization…
Pad Thai and General (Sort of) Tso’s Chicken: Necessity is the mother of invention, or so they say. With the closing of our favorite, decent, Chinese restaurant I decided to try my hand at some more Asian inspired dishes. I’ve made them many times since they were first posted and while neither of them will ever be mistaken for authentic, they also won’t be mistaken for “lap sap”.
Another good one is Cumin Lamb with Sichuan Peppercorns.
I tried to put more fish in my/our diet and two winning dishes both featured salmon—not one of Frank’s favorites. The Salmon and Spinach curry from one of my favorite cookbooks Made in India got high praise from the non-salmon lover!
Salmon also took the starring role in a Roasted Salmon Niçoise salad, which had you roasting the fish, potatoes and vegetables before tossing them in a salad. Later on, I used the same technique in a more classic Salade Niçoise which was a nice way to switch it up.
One of those recipes that I think can’t possibly work, worked great and was a delicious way to use up those summer CSA staples zucchini and summer squash. 5 ingredients and pizza dough and you’ve got a great dinner. If you’ve got a favorite pizza dough recipe, I’d love to know what it is!
Something else I was skeptical about was a one pot ravioli dinner. While it wasn’t one of my favorites, it is something I’ll revisit in 2020 and tweak. Stay tuned.
Meatballs of any kind usually have a place in my heart and these from Ottolenghi’s latest book Simple with lamb and feta, were easy and delicious (and I’m making them again as you read this).
And the surprising thing that turned me into a baker, wasn’t so much a recipe as an invention. With the Baguette Baking Box, anyone (including me and my 93 year old dad) can make a good baguette!
If all else fails, and you’re drug of choice is chocolate, stock up on Saltines, butter, brown sugar and chocolate chips and get ready to make this Toffee Crack. It’s not called crack for nothing…