Your Most-Loved Recipe of 2015: Gallo Pinto (Costa Rican Beans and Rice)

Gallo Pinto (Costa Rican Beans and Rice)

This year, my kitchen became a vibrant hub of cultural exchange, thanks to some incredible friends of Costa Rican heritage who generously shared their families’ cherished recipes. It was an immensely rewarding learning process, allowing me to delve deep into the heart of Costa Rican cuisine and discover a profound love for its vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients. From the moment I first tasted it, I knew I had found something truly special.

And it seems you agreed! According to my site statistics, this traditional Gallo Pinto recipe captured your hearts and palates as much as it did mine. Not only did it proudly claim the title of my most-viewed recipe of 2015, but it also became my most “Yummed” recipe ever, saved countless times to Yummly users’ personal recipe boxes. This humble yet incredibly flavorful dish, especially when paired with a perfectly fried egg for breakfast, is a true testament to the “Pura Vida” lifestyle. It’s a comforting, satisfying meal that transports you straight to the heart of Costa Rica with every bite, making it a clear winner in the hearts of our culinary community.

My Personal Culinary Gem of 2015: French Potato Salad with Baby Arugula

French Potato Salad with Baby Arugula

While Gallo Pinto captured the collective heart of the blog, my personal favorite recipe of 2015 leaned towards a lighter, brighter side of the culinary spectrum. This year, I found myself consistently gravitating towards vinaigrette-based dishes, appreciating their fresh zest and versatility. Sharing my French Potato Salad with Baby Arugula during the summer was an absolute delight, and it quickly became a staple in my own kitchen.

What makes this dish truly stand out is its elegant simplicity and refreshing departure from traditional mayonnaise-based potato salads. The vibrant vinaigrette dressing, combined with tender baby arugula, offers a light, zesty, and incredibly flavorful alternative that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s especially convenient for entertaining, as it holds up beautifully and doesn’t require refrigeration like its creamier counterparts. Whether served at a backyard barbecue, a picnic, or as a sophisticated side dish for a dinner party, this potato salad consistently earns rave reviews. It embodies the fresh, unpretentious elegance I strive for in my cooking, making it a truly cherished creation of the year.

The Culinary Camera Challenge: Roasted Cauliflower and Goat Cheese Soufflés

Roasted Cauliflower and Goat Cheese Soufflés

Every food blogger knows the delicate dance between cooking and capturing the perfect shot, and this year, I encountered my very own “deflate-gate” crisis right here in the Striped Spatula kitchen. My Roasted Cauliflower and Goat Cheese Soufflés were undeniably delicious – airy, savory, and wonderfully rich. However, immortalizing their ephemeral puffed glory in photographs proved to be an epic challenge. The golden window for capturing a perfectly risen soufflé is fleeting, and doing so for multiple ramekins under scorching heat was a true test of speed and precision.

To conquer this photographic feat, I devised a strategic plan: staggering my baking times so that a fresh pair of beautifully puffed soufflés would emerge from the oven every five minutes. This meant a constant sprint against the clock. When that timer chimed, my entire household – friends, family, and even our ever-present dog – knew to clear the path. I had mere seconds to arrange the scene, adjust lighting, and snap the perfect shot before the inevitable deflation began. It was a high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled culinary photoshoot!

Thankfully, perseverance paid off, and the post was a success. It also led me to discover my favorite Instagram hashtag of 2015: #holla4thecolla! This playful hashtag perfectly encapsulated the joy and the triumphant spirit of overcoming such a tricky challenge, reminding me that even the most difficult dishes can bring unexpected moments of fun and connection.

My Favorite Food Nerd Adventure: Epicurean Palette 2015

Epicurean Palette 2015!

Beyond the confines of my kitchen, 2015 offered an unparalleled “food nerd” experience that truly stood out. The annual Epicurean Palette fundraiser at Grounds for Sculpture was, without a doubt, a fantastic afternoon for any culinary enthusiast. I immersed myself in a delightful sensory journey, wandering through stunning landscapes while savoring exquisite small plates and sophisticated sips from some of the region’s most talented chefs and beverage purveyors. It was an inspiring showcase of local talent and culinary innovation, a true feast for both the eyes and the palate.

While I anticipated a fun and delicious event, I never could have predicted the profound impact my blog post about it would have on my professional journey. The exposure and connections forged there opened unexpected doors, leading to some truly exciting opportunities. Most notably, I was invited to join the esteemed Jersey Bites team as a contributor, a role that allowed me to further explore and share the vibrant culinary scene of my home state. This unexpected career highlight truly elevated my year, proving that sometimes, the most rewarding experiences stem from simply following your passion and connecting with like-minded individuals in the food community.

The Almost-Disaster: Grilled Guacamole

Grilled Guacamole

Hello there! I’m Amanda, and while I run a food blog, even I have my moments of kitchen calamity. This year brought a memorable one involving avocados and a grill. I’ve prepared my signature Grilled Guacamole recipe more times than I can count, always yielding perfectly smoky, creamy results. However, the day I finally set aside to photograph it for the blog, fate had other plans.

Just as those beautiful avocado halves hit the hot grill grates, my phone rang with an urgent, pressing matter that demanded my immediate attention. “Just a quick call,” I thought, rushing away from the sizzle. Upon my return, which I believed to be a mere moment later, I was greeted by a disheartening sight: those poor avocados were charred to oblivion! Apparently, my definition of “a short enough time” didn’t quite align with the intense heat of the grill. It was a comical, albeit slightly frustrating, moment of culinary defeat.

Thankfully, with a bit of careful scraping, I managed to salvage enough for an un-photographed bowl of delicious guac for immediate consumption. More importantly, I had the foresight to keep extra avocados in my produce drawer, allowing for a swift re-grill and a successful photoshoot. This experience was a humorous reminder that even seasoned food bloggers face kitchen mishaps, and sometimes, a little backup plan (and extra avocados!) is all you need to turn a potential disaster into a delicious triumph.

Forever in Our Hearts: Chloe, The Striped Spatula Mini Dachshund

This year also brought a profound sadness to our family as we bid farewell to our dearest friend, Chloe, who bravely lost her battle with cancer earlier this month. Despite her petite size and an eternal puppy-like spirit that made her seem ageless, Chloe was a remarkable 15 years old. She wasn’t just a pet; she was an integral part of the Striped Spatula family, often acting as the kitchen’s unofficial mascot and a constant source of joy and comfort.

Chloe possessed an unparalleled love for the enticing aromas that wafted from our kitchen, especially when I was deep in the throes of cooking for the blog. She’d often set up camp directly in front of the oven, her tiny nose twitching with anticipation. She had an uncanny ability to understand the subtle cues of the kitchen, particularly the sound of the 1-minute warning timer. This specific beep meant only one thing: food was almost ready! Without fail, she would spring to action, leading me to the kitchen with an excited wag of her tail. She was truly the best dog, a loyal companion whose loving presence is deeply missed. Her memory continues to inspire the warmth and passion we pour into every dish created in this kitchen.

As we close the chapter on 2015, it’s clear it has been an incredibly delicious and fulfilling year for Striped Spatula. None of these experiences, discoveries, or shared moments would have been possible without you, my cherished readers. Your engagement, comments, and enthusiasm fuel my passion, and I am endlessly grateful to each and every one of you for joining me on this incredible culinary journey. Your support transforms every recipe into a shared experience and every post into a conversation.

Looking ahead, 2016 promises to be an even more exciting year for Striped Spatula! I’m thrilled to announce that a comprehensive site redesign is in the works, featuring a host of fun new functionalities and an even more user-friendly experience. Coupled with this fresh new look, I can’t wait to share an entirely new collection of innovative and inspiring recipes that I’ve been developing. Get ready for fresh flavors, exciting techniques, and plenty of deliciousness to come!

From my kitchen to yours, I extend my warmest wishes for a happy, healthy, and wonderfully prosperous 2016. May your year be filled with joy, good company, and plenty of delicious meals. See you next year!

Featured in the lead photo, from top and clockwise, you’ll find a feast of fan favorites and personal highlights:

• Roasted Radishes with Tarragon Vinaigrette: A surprisingly delightful way to enjoy radishes, transformed by roasting and a fragrant vinaigrette.
• Beef Tenderloin with Cognac Cream Sauce: The epitome of elegance, perfect for special occasions, with a rich, velvety sauce.
• Delicata Squash with Brown Butter Vinaigrette: A harmonious blend of sweet roasted squash and nutty brown butter, ideal for autumn.
• Parmesan Duchess Potatoes: Classic Duchess potatoes elevated with a savory Parmesan twist, visually stunning and incredibly flavorful.
• Bacon Bourbon Barbecue Sauce: A smoky, sweet, and tangy homemade barbecue sauce, loaded with irresistible bacon and a hint of bourbon.
• Carrot Cake with Orange Curd: A moist, spiced carrot cake made even brighter and more luxurious with a tangy orange curd filling.