A collection of your favorite NEW healthy recipes from Abra's Kitchen in 2023 + 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.
It's my favorite post of the year! I love reflecting on the past year of recipes, I spend an afternoon with a warm cup of tea, digging into analytics and messages to see which recipes YOU loved, shared, commented on, and responded to.
Before we get to the recipes a little life update from the year. 2023 was… well, in one honest word, tough.
The start of the year was beyond wonderful. My husband and I flew my mom to Paris for her 70th birthday, her dream destination. It was magical to see the city through her eyes. If you are sentimental… watch the video I made of the experience (tissues required) We then hopped over to Tuscany, Italy to spend a week with my sister in her new home! She moved to Italy at the end of 2022 and we love that for us 🙂
The year took a turn when we got home to discover that our septic system failed and needed to be completely replaced amid a massive home renovation, the same week we received news of a layoff for my husband, then a few weeks later I had an accident in our under-construction home and shattered my elbow which took me out of work for weeks (I am still on the healing train, almost a year later, with more surgeries to come). So yeah, tough.
But life keeps on life-ing, we persevered. I was unable to cook, test recipes, or even type or write for a few months so the blog certainly suffered, but with a ton of renewed energy and support from all of you, I bounced back and am so thrilled to share that December was the best month in the history of Abra's Kitchen. What. A. Wild. Ride.
This year I primarily focused on updating old posts and adding videos (a labor of love, but oh man it takes time!). Jordan (my husband) has been able to jump in and help with a lot this year and Abra's Kitchen has benefited greatly!
In my nutrition career, I accepted a position as a CNS supervisor with The Nutrition and Herbal Collective, I had my largest speaking year with over 39 speaking gigs, a wonderful year of private nutrition clients, ran my group nutrition program (which is in the process of a major overhaul with updates coming soon!), and launched The Stir it Up Society!!! A monthly membership supporting you with weekly healthy meal plans and live monthly cook-a-longs/ think part cooking club/ part meal plan support.
Despite some tough stuff, I am so grateful for this year. I was reminded how caring and generous humans can be. My family and friends jumped in and helped out in the most beautiful ways. Jordan and I made it through with our sidekick Penelope always by our side.
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. A space to share just how awesome healthy homemade cooking can be. I love this blog, and I am beyond grateful for every recipe you have liked, shared, read, made, commented on, and loved. Thank you.
Ok, let's get to the recipes. Here they are, yours and my favorite recipes from 2023 *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 and here is to a new year full of good food and good people.
xooxox Abra
THE BEST HEALTHY HOMEMADE RECIPES FROM 2023!
We are kicking things off with a chili recipe that will blow your mind. For real. Y'all LOVED this recipe and I am here for it! I publish a new chili recipe every year, some are more popular than others, but this chorizo poblano chili recipe was a big hit.
Chorizo Poblano Chili
Delicata squash salad with warm mushrooms and tahini dressing. Hey there team delicata salad, I see you, I appreciate you, I am so glad we found each other this year because of this mighty salad. I heard from more people about this salad this year than any other recipe. You are making it over and over and over again for your families and that makes me so so happy.
Delicata Squash Salad with Warm Mushrooms
This is a new recipe that quickly made its way into your hearts and kitchens. I have a feeling it will continue to catch some steam through 2024. If you've never tried a whole roasted cauliflower consider this your invitation.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Sage Salsa Verde
I am so thrilled you love this recipe as much as I do. Stay with me for a minute, we are going to talk about traveling and food. This was my favorite bite of food from Venice. Now… I have traveled fairly extensively throughout Italy and I am not alone in the opinion that Venice potentially has the worst food in all of Italy, except for these dang pork chops. I took one bite and immediately knew I would crave them and needed to recreate the recipe at home. It took me many many tries to get it right, but the important thing is that it is here.
Venetian Style Pork Chops
I shared this recipe in my first-ever public live (virtual) cooking class in January! I have taught cooking classes for YEARS, but privately or in small groups. In January, over 100 of you joined me virtually from your respective kitchens and we made the most delicious Mediterranean recipes including these greek chicken meatballs. So so glad you love these little nuggets!
Greek Chicken Meatballs
MY FAVORITE RECIPES FROM 2022
There are always recipes that are my favorites that may not make it to your list. This doesn't make them any less amazing, they just not be as universally appealing, or for whatever algorithm reason they haven't made their way into your websphere yet.
Here are my favorites from 2023.
I knew swiss chard paneer wouldn't sweep the nation but if you love Indian food I promise you should try this. I was taught this recipe about 20 years ago by a dear friend, his sister was visiting from India and he invited me over and coerced her into teaching me her favorite recipes. It was one of the best days of my life. Also, paneer cheese is life.
Swiss Chard Paneer
This baby just needs some time to make its move on the internet, but I trust it will get there. This is one of those back pocket recipes that you will pull out on a random weeknight and your family will think you are an absolute hero. Easy, delicious, packed with protein, veggies, and flavor!
Cajun Shrimp and Rice
Fellow food bloggers have told me I spend too much time testing recipes, and they are right. Also, I will never stop. When I have a recipe idea I have to take the amount of time it takes to perfect it. When I went gluten-free last year I was obsessed with perfecting a blueberry muffin, 16 months later I did it.
The Best Ever Gluten-free Blueberry Muffins
That's all folks! Looking forward to another delicious year in 2024!
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