My Wish For You in 2014

Today, there is no new recipe to share. Instead, today being the last day of 2013, it is a day to reflect on the past year and to let you in on what's been going on in my personal life. I don't share very much here on the blog because, let's face it, it's a food blog not a documentary. But I can't tell you what I wish for in 2014 without giving you a little personal background.

Top 10 Appetizers

New Year's Eve is synonymous with appetizers. Well at least it is in my family. We generally forgo eating a large, formal dinner and opt for different appetizers instead. Years ago I used to make the whole formal dinner thing with filet mignon or shrimp and then later while we were watching the ball drop we would have our hors d' oeuvres. But eating all of that food, especially late at night, left us feeling EXTREMELY full and bloated.

I decided to take a peek in the CEK archives to see what appetizers were most popular here on the blog. Believe it or not, once I make a recipe, I'm so consumed with making something new to experiment with and share with all of you, that I rarely make the same thing again. Here are the Top 10 Appetizers based on the most number of views and I think I'll be making a few of these again real soon! ~Enjoy!

Tabasco & Honey Chicken Wings

The next New Year's Eve appetizer idea I'd like to share with you is for these Tabasco & Honey Chicken Wings. I first posted this back in February 2012 under the 10 Must Have Foods for Superbowl. 

Semi-Homemade Green Goddess Dressing

Did you ever plan a last minute get together and wanted to serve something quick and easy to your guests? Look no further! All you need are three ingredients to make this Semi-Homemade Green Goddess Dressing.

Pesto and Goat Cheese Crostini

I originally shared this recipe back in March under my Irish Bunco and Other Ideas for St. Patrick's Day post, but wanted to give this Pesto and Goat Crostini it's own page on the site; especially since New Year's Eve is right around the corner.  

How to Clean & Prepare Mussels

Most of you know that I don't eat seafood; especially if you've been reading my blog for a while. My family however loves most of it; especially mussels which I will be making once again on Christmas day. So I'm sharing some tips I got from my mother on how to clean and prepare mussels. I've been told that "They are the cleanest mussels I've ever eaten!" so I must be doing something right! :)

Recipe ReRun: Spinach, Mushroom & Goat Cheese Stuffed Pork Loin

The next Recipe ReRun I'd like to share with you is for this Spinach, Mushroom & Goat Cheese Stuffed Pork Loin.

Recipe ReRun: Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls

Looking for another breakfast idea for Christmas morning? How about these Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls! (click for recipe)

ZipList Partnership Announcement

I am so THRILLED to announce my new partnership with ZipList!

If you're not familiar with ZipList, the site allows you to search and save recipes from thousands of popular food websites (including those from Carrie's Experimental Kitchen!) to your personal recipe box; then allows you to add the ingredients directly to your grocery list. You can then sort your favorite recipes by source, ingredients or cook time and add them to your weekly meal planner. How cool is that!

Here is what you have to do:

Recipe ReRun: How to Make a Standing Rib Roast

The next Recipe ReRun I wanted to share with you this week is How to Make a Standing Rib Roast. I originally posted this last January, but thought it was appropriate to share before Christmas this year. Especially since I will be making one myself.

Recipe ReRun:Bacon and Havarti Quiche

This week I'll be running a few favorite recipes and I'm starting with this Bacon and Havarti Quiche. This dish not only makes a wonderful brunch menu item, it is also a fabulous dish to serve Christmas morning.

Honey Cinnamon Roasted Cashews

Cashews are one of my favorite nuts to snack on. I just love the natural buttery flavor. So I decided to sweeten them up a bit by roasting them in honey and ground cinnamon. These cashews were delicious and made a light salty-sweet snack. ~Enjoy!

Pomegranate Cabernet Braised Short Ribs

Beef short ribs become extremely tender when braised and I like to use the English Cut; which is when the ribs are separated from one another along the bone and the meat sits on the top. They come in either a long slab or cut in half into 2" pieces; which is what I prefer using as I feel it's easier for portion control. I've made two other variations of short ribs including Braised Short Ribs made with two types of mustard, fresh rosemary and red wine and Beer Braised Short Ribs. Both were phenomenal and it had to do mostly with the cooking method. Low and slow = perfect every time! 

The Greek Yogurt Cookbook #Giveaway

My dear friend Lauren Kelly, C.N. wrote another cookbook entitled,  The Greek Yogurt Cookbook and I was honored to have three of my recipes included in this publication as well. Greek yogurt is being touted as "the next superfood" and for good reason--it's delicious, low in fat, and has about 18 grams of protein per serving! The Greek Yogurt Cookbook expands the food beyond the quick breakfast or snack with 125 delicious Greek yogurt recipes for any time of day.

Blueberry Almond Crumb Cake

Are you ready for the EASIEST dessert you're ever going to make? This Blueberry Crumb Cake is it! Five (YES 5!) ingredients and less than one hour of your time are all you need to make this scrumptious dessert.

Copycat Panera Broccoli & Cheese Soup

I have my own version of Broccoli & Cheese Soup in my cookbook, but so many people asked me about Panera Bread's version that I had to seek out their recipe and try it myself. I found this version made with half and half and it was very similar to my own recipe.

National Cookie Day

When I first saw it was National Cookie Day, I thought to myself,  "Self, you have so much on your plate this year, are you really going to make a ton of cookies like last year?" My first reaction was "Of course I am! I love blaring Christmas music throughout the house while baking up a storm in my kitchen. I do it every year!"

And then my chest started palpating and anxiety started to set in. When would I make these cookies? Which new ones am I going to make, photograph and share? How many commitments do I have in the next month?

And there it was in black and white. "How many commitments do I have in the next month?". 

Chicken Florentina

Did you ever go to your local pizza place and look at their menu? Many places serve a lot more than just pizza. They have so many wonderful sounding chicken, veal, pasta and seafood (if you like that kind of thing!) dishes, yet I rarely try anything else on the menu. If I want pizza, I get pizza.

$600 Visa Gift Card Holiday Cheer #Giveaway

Can you believe it's December already? Thanksgiving is over and Hanukkah is under way; which also means that it's officially shopping season! In fact, today is Cyber Monday, the busiest online shopping day of the year. So I rallied some of my favorite food bloggers together and we decided to give someone a little extra spending money this holiday season. A little? Heck...we decided to give away $600! After all, we truly appreciate and love all of our readers!

All you have to do is enter through the Rafflecopter link below and tell us what you would do with an extra $600 this holiday season. Once you comment, you will have over 50 other chances to enter. The giveaway runs from December 2-15, 2013 and one winner will be chosen and notified on December 16, 2013. Please read the complete Terms & Conditions as this giveaway is only valid for U.S residents only (Sorry, rules of the gift card company prohibit us from offering this outside of the U.S.).

Good Luck and Happy Holidays from
Carrie's Experimental Kitchen, Ally's Kitchen, Basilmomma, That Skinny Chick Can Bake, Lauren Kelly Nutrition, Moore or Less Cooking, Chocolate Chocolate and More, Food Done Light, Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen, Cupcakes & Kale Chips, Recipes for My Boys, Knead to Cook, The Fountain Avenue Kitchen and Amee's Savory Dish. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway