14 Comments
This year was big, wonderful, and completely life-changing. We fast-forwarded through some major life events, which was trying at times but always worthwhile.
Twenty-nineteen in summary: My boyfriend asked me to marry him in January, and my answer was a resounding yes. We got married on the first of June, spent a few days in Santa Fe immediately thereafter, celebrated my brother’s wedding at the end of the month, drank wine across France and Spain for two weeks in July, transformed his perfectly respectable bachelor pad into a cozy home that suits the both of us, finally mailed out our thank you notes, met my newest little nephew, and split our holidays between his family and mine. We’re excited to see what the next decade will bring.
I truly love every recipe I publish here, so it’s impossible to pick “favorites.” Please indulge me as I highlight some recipes that deserve more attention and tell you the stories behind them. Ready?
1) Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
For our first date, my husband asked me to meet him at a nearby Thai restaurant for spring rolls and beer. These spring rolls are my variation of the ones we enjoyed over two years ago.
2) Favorite Carrot Cake
I’ve wanted to create a decadent, layered, naturally sweetened carrot cake for a long time—here it is. Choose between classic cream cheese frosting and naturally sweetened cream cheese frosting (made with dates!).
3)
These tacos are just really fun, fresh and delicious. This recipe combines fresh pineapple salsa, Peruvian herb sauce and seared, golden halloumi cheese.
4) Lightened-Up Creamy Tomato Soup
You may have enjoyed this recipe from my cookbook—this is the only tomato soup recipe you’ll ever need! Even better with a grilled cheese sandwich (below).
5) Favorite Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This grilled cheese sandwich features a layer of golden, crusted cheese on the outside. Someday, I hope to become neighborhood-famous as the mom with the best grilled cheese sandwiches.
6) Farro and Kale Salad with Goat Cheese
This salad is my homemade version of one of our favorite local salads at The French Market. My mother-in-law makes it nearly every week!
7) Chilaquiles Rojos
These chilaquiles are so good, if I may say so, and I’m afraid they didn’t get as much attention as they deserve. Maybe the photos don’t do them justice?
8) Pimento Cheese
My grandmother Mimi made the best pimento cheese. I couldn’t find her recipe anywhere, so I came up with my own.
9) Favorite Breakfast Tacos
My husband makes the best breakfast tacos, and I’ve attempted to recreate them for you. His hack—he goes to the grocery store’s salad bar for pre-cut fresh ingredients, which is a brilliant time-saver and waste-minimizer, if you think about it.
10) Quick Collard Greens
This recipe is a great example of how I throw meals together at home—hardy greens can become a quick and truly delicious side dish, if you know how to cook them properly.
More resources you might appreciate: 23 make-ahead breakfast recipes and 20 simple weeknight dinners. Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for a steady stream of recipe inspiration!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Hayley
The spring rolls & peanut dip are so good! I make the spring rolls from time to time but I make that peanut sauce at least once a week – it goes with so much! Thanks for sharing your recipes, Kate! You’ve made my transition to vegetarianism SO much easier (celebrating 1 year tomorrow)! Can’t wait to see what you come up with in 2020 :)
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Jocelyn Fisher
I look forward to trying your top recipes of 2019 (but especially the fresh spring rolls and carrot cake!). Congratulations on your wedding and all the best to you for a long, love-filled marriage! All the best for health and happiness in 2020.
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Kate
Thank you, Jocelyn!
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Lety
My dear Cookieand kate l really love all your recipes especially salads l would like more of recipes of them as a maine course because l’m a busy mother and simple but full of nutrients make my life really easy, thank you so much for all of your delicious recipes and for sharing with me!!!!
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Phyll
Congratulations!! I enjoyed your 2019 recipes and your cookbook: Thank you and wishing you and your husband (post some photos) a very Happy and Healthy New Year.
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Andrea
I too just celebrated my first year of going vegetarian in December. It was scary at first because I thought no one would eat my food anymore. I love to cook and eat. CookieandKate has been my go-to site this past year for interesting and tasty meals. I can always count on the flavors to be right. Thanks for making this first year great!
AndreaReply
Margaret Johnson
Thank you for the beautiful recipes for 2019, lookingn forward to many more……All the best in 2020
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Lisa
Congratulations Kate on your marriage in 2019. I have enjoyed using your ideas to bring favor to healthy eating. I especially like the lentil soup, black bean burger and pumpkin soup just a few. All the best in 2020. LG
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Zach
Congrats on getting married last year, I must have missed that. Thanks for another tear of great content!
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Thais Abernethy
Yesterday I made the pasta efasoule from your recipe. It is fabulous. Thank you so much. Your recipes and videos are super. I also made the enchiladas.
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HAYLEY
Love your recipes! I wondered if you could feature “lite” calorie conscious recipes from time to time for those of us who can’t indulge in cream, butter, sugar, and fats. Hard to find tasty things. Thanks!
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Kate
Hi Hayley! Thank you for your comment. I don’t like to focus on light or calories, rather focus on whole foods. But, you can always search via the menu at the top to better suit you. I hope this helps!
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Leigh
OMG. I always feel like I’ve made all your recipes because I have a dozen or so that I make over and over again, but I haven’t made ANY of these. So excited to try them out – especially the tacos and chiliquiles!
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Kate
I can’t wait for you to try them! Be sure to let me know what you think, Leigh!
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