A delicious and nutritious collection of the best posts and recipes from Abra's Kitchen in 2020. It has become a yearly tradition, one that I look forward to, to look back and share the most popular posts of the past year.
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How to sum up 2020? Exhausting, at times terrifying, for sure historic. Through all of the challenges, one bright light is that you likely spent time a lot more time in the kitchen, cooking your own food. Perhaps more than ever before and for that, I am proud, and humbled to be along for your healthy kitchen journey.
2020 for me felt a bit like a runaway train, except the train was stuck in the station, but still running. My nutrition practice was busier than ever, I had more corporate speaking gigs than ever before (thank you to all the companies that have looked for ways to nourish their employees through this tough year), and worked hard on multiple new projects that will be ready to launch in 2021. I am so grateful for all of the good, but there were also many tough times including nursing Jordan back to health after a month-long battle with Covid and holding my breath for a few months waiting for surgery and test results about Penelope's health. It was a lot, but we are here and all healthy and well. Through it all, I have been so grateful to have this blog to come home to.
Abra's Kitchen had an unprecedented year, thanks to you and all that cooking! You baked, you roasted, you chopped, and you won the year with your kitchen prowess. I am so grateful for you. my dear reader. I've said it every year and I will say it again. Abra's Kitchen is pure joy, I love sharing recipes with you and having space to wax poetic about beautiful salads, favorite new kitchen gadgets, and ways to make our homes healthier.
Thanks for coming along for the ride.
Without further adieu… here are the top 20 posts from the year that shall not be named 🙂 (Harry Potter reference, in case you missed it!)
#1 The BEST Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
By a landslide, the big recipe winner of 2020 is a chocolate chip cookie. Perhaps this year encouraged more stress baking? Or maybe this chocolate chip cookie recipe is so popular because I spent 6 months testing and perfecting it and the cookies are just truly the BEST! Here are some of my favorite reader comments:
#2 Mediterranean Meal Plan
This post has been going strong as one of my most popular posts ever. I get it, sometimes figuring out what's for dinner is the most stressful part of the day, having a guideline to take the pressure off (even if only for a week) can feel luxurious. I'm so glad you have all loved this post so much, I have many more fun meal plans planned (planning plans to be planned!) for 2021!
#3 Sesame Spaghetti Squash Noodles with Broccoli
This recipe took on a life of its own this year. An oldy but a goodie. If you are looking for a no-muss, no-fuss, easy and delicious weeknight meal look no further.
#4 – One Pan Mediterranean Cod with Kale and Olives
Perfectly flaky cod nestled in a tomato fennel broth with briny olives, bright orange zest, and floral oregano. This dish, this beautiful Mediterranean cod is a must-try.
#5 – Spanish Garlic Soup
The soup that saved my life. Twice. Also the 5th most popular post on the site for a few years. Yay for garlic! Yay for soup! Yay for travel memories!
#6 – Easy Polenta in the Instant Pot
The post that has sparked the hottest debate – can polenta successfully be made in the Instant Pot? I vehemently answer YES! A few readers have reported that their instant pot produces the “burn” signal when trying the recipe. I have replicated the original recipe over TWENTY times trying to get a burn signal and I never do. I still say it's a winner, if you figure out the “burn” controversy I am all ears for a solution!
#7 – Thai Peanut Broccoli Salad
Spicy peanut dressing, crispy broccoli, red cabbage… all. the. things. Broccoli has never looked so good (also, 3 of the top 20 recipes are broccoli recipes! Do you all want more broccoli recipes next year? Comment below and let me know.
#8 – Mason Jar Sauerkraut
I love that this easy sauerkraut recipe does so well on the blog, I also love that this year an old childhood friend contacted me because she found me from this recipe! She googled “mason jar sauerkraut” Abra's Kitchen came up, she thought… “Hey, I used to know someone named Abra” and blamo! Sauerkraut brings you together, that's all there is to it!
#9 – Icelandic Fish Soup – Fiskisupa
Not only do I love this recipe and think you should make it, but it is officially my favorite post I've ever written. This is another travel memoir recipe and y'all know those are my favorites.
#10 – Amazing Ways to Use Chamomile
I remember writing this post years ago and thinking… ugh this took so long to put together and no one will even read it or see it. Years later this is consistently one of the most visited pages on my site. All that to say, do the thing, do it well, don't give up, and also chamomile is awesome.
#11 – Vegetable Quinoa Stew
One of my all-time favorite recipes. Easy, nourishing delicious. You should make it.
#12 – Super Green Broccoli Soup
All the greens, in soup form. It's creamy, dairy-free, delicious, and consistently one of the most popular recipes on the blog.
#13 – The BEST Healthy Guacamole Recipe
This is Jordan's recipe, he made a video for you, it's funny, it makes me laugh, also the guacamole is the best you will ever eat.
#14 – Cinnamon Sweet Potato Bread
Another one of my favorite recipes of the year. The texture of this bread is just insanely delicious. Sweet potatoes, almond butter, cinnamon, it's good. It's really, really good.
#15 – Mexican Street Corn Salad
I've made this recipe probably more times than any other recipe on the blog. It is a summertime staple in my house.
#16 – Butternut Squash Mac + Cheese
Just look at that creamy deliciousness, not much else to say except you need to make this recipe stat!
#17 – Vegetarian Stuffed Sweet Potato
Some version of a stuffed sweet potato will end up on my meal plan nearly weekly (I literally just ate a lentil stuffed sweet potato for lunch). This salsa verde kale and tofu stuffed sweet potato is a favorite and I'm glad it's a favorite of yours too!
#18 – Instant Pot Apricot Ginger Chicken
I was so happy to see you loved this recipe! Oftentimes I will make a recipe that I absolutely adore and know post with crossed fingers hoping enough people will try it and love it right alongside me. This sticky apricot ginger chicken took a few months to gain traction, but I am so glad it finally did. One of my all-time favorites!
#19 – Korean Seasoned Kale and Spinach
I couldn't wait to share a few Korean inspired recipes this year. If you make this recipe be sure to also check out the BEST Korean Instant Pot Beef and Korean Cucumber Salad.
#20 – Tahini Espresso Brownies
Grain-free tahini espresso brownies, my favorite brownie recipe I've ever had. Periodt.
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