Reader Favorites + My Favorites: The Best Healthy Recipes from 2021
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A collection of your favorite NEW healthy recipes from Abra’s Kitchen in 2021 + my favorite picks from the year. It has become a yearly tradition, one that I look forward to, to look back and share the most popular posts from the past year.
Reflecting back on the last year of a food blog is the fun part. Reflecting back on 2021, however, is a mixed bag of emotions.
There was a lot of change this past year, good and challenging. We bought our first home, began a massive remodel project that will take us far into 2022, spent a lot of time reevaluating our life in NYC, and wondered if quieter country life is actually where our heart wants to be for now (decision still uncertain).
I took a step back from social media for a huge chunk of time to preserve my sanity, and also had to slow down on content for Abra’s Kitchen while our life was in major flux. With all that said I still published 58 posts in 2021!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a loyal reader of Abra’s Kitchen. I couldn’t and wouldn’t do this without you. I spend most of my week deep in clinical nutrition supporting private clients and leading classes and seminars on the healing power of food. I come back to this blog as my creative outlet as the space to share with a wider audience just how awesome healthy homemade cooking can be.
Every year I do my best to improve on the blog and create recipes that you want to see. That will not change. I am looking forward to what 2022 has in store for us. You will see some exciting new changes around here, including a new spiffed-up site coming soon!
Here they are, yours and my favorite recipes from 2021 *in no particular order*
I hope you enjoy trying some of these favorite recipes from the past year. If you make any, be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. xooxox Abra
Nourishing Homemade Chicken Soup
This recipe made a big splash in a short amount of time. A classic, homemade, nourishing chicken soup, using the whole chicken. This is the recipe that everyone should know how to make, and once you make it you will never make chicken soup any other way. With immune health still a top priority I highly recommend adding this to your meal plan this week!
BAKED FETA AND OLIVE SPAGHETTI SQUASH
I found this recipe when it went viral on Tik Tok and had to try it with my own spin. Adding olives and more veggies (of course) was a genius move <<pats self on back>> but then mixing it with spaghetti squash rather than pasta was the true epic move. Nothing wrong with pasta, I love it, but spaghetti squash is the perfect vehicle for this creamy salty sauce. You all loved this recipe right out of the gate, and I don’t blame you one bit!
TURMERIC GLOW UP SMOOTHIE
I’m going to be honest with you… I never expect smoothie recipes to do well on the site. Sometimes I post recipes because they are great resources for my clients, but may not be the most popular recipes for the internet. This smoothie took proved me wrong. This was the number 3 most trafficked recipe on the blog in 2021, a simple (albeit delicious) healthy smoothie. Well who even knew! If you haven’t tried it now is a great season to jump on board, spicy turmeric and bright citrus make this smoothie sunshine in a glass.
GREEN CURRY SALMON WITH BROCCOLI
I knew this recipe would be a big hit. Salmon recipes always do well and Jordan was obsessed with this recipe, that’s always a good sign. We made this recipe dozens of times in 2021, and will make it dozens more in the coming year. This all comes together quickly in one pan and is full of flavor.
EASY ROASTED SPLIT CHICKEN BREAST
Don’t sleep on the simple recipes, they are the ones that get you through tough weeks! This easy recipe for roasted chicken breast is my “ride or die”. I have been making this since my personal chef days as a meal plan staple. It is literally “Perfect Every Time” and produces a tender juicy chicken, never rubbery or weird.
BLUEBERRIES AND CREAM BLENDED BAKED OATMEAL
This is another viral recipe from TikTok with my own spin. It’s called oatmeal, but its kind of like cake 😉 Not too sweet but the oats are blended for a cake like texture. Just make it, it will make your life better 🙂
MY FAVORITE RECIPES FROM 2021
For a multitude of reasons each year there are recipes that are my absolute favorites that do not get their deserved attention on the internet. Sometimes its because I won’t rank for a specific keyword, sometimes its because its a recipe that I love but is not universally appealing.
No matter the reasons, I don’t regret posting these recipes, even if they fall flat with the big crowds.
Here are my all-time favorites from 2021 and trust me, you should try them.
#1 COD IN TOMATO BUTTER SAUCE
This recipe is as beautiful as it is delicious and is made with 4 simple ingredients. Best to make when summer tomatoes are at their peak of perfection. You can also serve the tomato butter sauce over rice or pasta.
#2 CHARRED GAZPACHO
Having my own bounty of garden tomatoes this year inspired many tomato centric recipes. If you like gazpacho then you will love this smoky charred version.
#3 Chickpea Caesar Pasta Salad
I know a pasta salad seems so basic but oh man this chickpea caesar pasta salad with quick lemon pickled shallots is so dang good! You must pinky promise me to make this your pasta salad for 2022.
#4 Scallop Tacos with Mango Avocado Salsa
I made this recipe on IG Live (and the video didn’t save so I can’t share it here ?) and also made it for dinner about a billion times in 2021. Super bright fresh and SO EASY.
#5 STRAWBERRY POKE CAKE
I worked on this recipe for months, testing and testing and testing until perfect. I thought it would be a big summer hit, but it just didn’t get the eyeballs on it that it deserves. Add this to your must-make a recipe list. It is paleo, grain-free, and allergen-friendly.
#6 GLUTEN FREE PEANUT BUTTER LAVA CAKES
I shouldn’t have to do any amount of convincing here, these are magical and you should make them. Goodbye forever 🙂
Check out my other favorite recipes from previous years
Meet Abra Pappa, MS, CNS, LDN
Abra is a licensed nutritionist, seasoned home cook, and forever flavor-chaser. She’s spent more than two decades exploring the connection between food and health—and just as long obsessing over what makes something truly delicious. Abra’s Kitchen is where those two loves meet, with recipes that celebrate vegetables, follow the seasons, and make you excited to cook.
