Talk about a roller coaster! Last year was filled with so many ups and downs, and so many curveballs. It seemed like “normal” changed every couple of months, making it hard for me to keep up with life and stay motivated. 2021 was a quieter year here on Books n’ Cooks, but it was still delicious.
It’s always fun to look back on the year to see both reader favorites as well as my personal favorites. It’s also fun to compare to social media. None of my reader’s favorite dishes were in my top 9 Instagram posts! So come along with me and check out the top 10 recipes published on Books n’ Cooks in 2021, as well as the top 3 reader favorites overall.
Best Recipes of 2021
Reader favorites recipes, published on Books n' Cooks in 2021.
Both your favorite and mine, this quick little appetizer is full of flavor and sure to impress. Amongst friends, Whipped Feta with Honey (and sometimes chopped pistachios) was frequently requested for potlucks.
While these take a bit of time to make, these Everything-but-the-Bagel Breakfast Pockets are a great protein-rich breakfast to make ahead and grab for breakfast on the go during the week. They freeze well and the filling is easy to adapt.
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Simple Syrup is a fun way to jazz up oatmeal, pancakes or French toast, but I liked to use it to sweeten drinks - the Apple Cider Old Fashioned and a Graham Cracker Latte being my favorites.
Spicy Seasoned Crackers are packed with flavor. They're a great little snack or munchie to serve while entertaining. Be warned - it's hard to stop at just one!
You all love this Sheet Pan BBQ Meatloaf Dinner and so did we - it was one of our favorite dinners this year. There's so much to love - minimal dishes, little hands-on time, a balanced meal, and tons of flavor.
This Italian Gnocchi Meatball Bake is pure comfort food. I could eat it all winter long.
For two years running, this Apple Cider Old Fashioned has been my go-to drink every fall. It's easy to make and easy to scale when entertaining. For me, it's fall in a glass.
A family recipe, these Coconut Macaroons don't make a ton - great for satisfying a sweet tooth without having cookies around for days. The coconut-lover in your life will thank you.
My personal favorite new cookie tried this year, these grown-up chocolate chip cookies are packed with chocolate, nuts, and have the most wonderful hit of espresso in every bite.
Salmon has been one of our favorite weeknight dinners because it's quick to make and healthy. This pesto-crusted salmon was one of our go-to recipes, full of flavor. Pro Tip: Make and freeze pesto when summer basil grows like crazy, to enjoy all year round.
There were 3 recipes that were oldies but goodies, and I couldn't let the opportunity pass without mentioning them. These three recipes were the reader favorites of 2021, but were published in previous years. This cocktail has been a reader favorite for several years running. It's just 3 ingredients and light on the alcohol. I made these Crispy Smashed Dutch Potatoes last year and still love them today - as do you! They're sort of like grown-up French fries - tender and crispy potatoes with a healthy dose of salt. I need to put these on the menu again soon! This easy fall side dish is always a winner. Roasted butternut squash with brown sugar and butter - what's not to love? Top 3 Reader's Favorites of 2021
Finally, thank you all for visiting my little corner of the blogosphere this year. I appreciate each and every one of you!
Happy 2022!