It feels like only last week that I was writing up my wrap up post for 2008, and yet here we are 12 months and 86 posts later! I’ve added many great new recipes to my list of favourites, and seemed to learn something almost every time I stepped foot in the kitchen. The Daring Bakers gave us some great challenges. I travelled to Perth (again), Port Macquarie, and Adelaide, for the first time. I met more great people than I can count, and shared many fabulous eating adventures with them (including the craziness that was Adriano Zumbo’s Macaron Day!)
I’d just like to say a big thank you to all my readers and friends for all of your kind words and comments, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all in 2010. Wishing you a very happy and safe New Year filled with good times, and good food! And so, here are my favourite nine recipes from 2009!
Walnut Brownies – I realised I didn’t have a single recipe for brownies on my blog, and had to share my favourite. A perfect gooey center with a crispy, crackly top and a scoop of melty ice cream. It doesn’t get better than this.
Fruit Galettes – An incredible recipe from the Tartine Bakery cookbook, one of the most delicious ways to use summer fruit, or almost any seasonal fruit you can imagine. This buttery pastry is an absolute winner!
Pomegranate & White Wine Sangria – Here’s a drink I’m really looking forward to dusting off again this summer. It’s perfect on a hot evening – refreshing yet pretty and pink!
Macarons – I never thought I’d have the guts to make macarons until Daring Bakers challenged me to. It took several attempts, but I finally made successful macarons with perfect frilly feet! It was a very satisfying feeling and I’m looking forward to trying out some new flavours.
Cinnamon Rolls – This amazing recipe was from Molly’s column in Bon Appetit. These cinnamon rolls are sticky, sweet and absolutely divine, but the cream cheese glaze makes these a perfect treat, especially still warm from the oven.
Profiteroles with Maya Gold Chocolate – A perfect combination of crispy choux and chocolate. I flavoured the pastry crème with orange, Cointreau, vanilla and cinnamon to mimic the spices in the Maya Gold chocolate.
Wagon Wheels – July’s Daring Bakers challenge was to make marshmallow cookies. I also made cute home-made wagon wheels – cookies sandwiched with jam and vanilla bean marshmallow and coated in chocolate. One of my favourite challenges this year!
Vanilla Slice – I made this for my Mum on Mother’s Day because it’s one of her favourite desserts. I think it’s also now one of mine! Mum said it was the best vanilla slice she’s ever had – the highest compliment of all!
Cherry Pie – A fantastic recipe for the most perfect cherry pie you’ll ever eat. Ice cream is not optional.
10 Comments on “2009 Favourites”
Great wrap up! I am glad to hear that we HAVE to eat ice cream with your Cherry pie – there is no other way! Looking forward to your wonderful posts in 2010! Happy New Year!
Aww I love all those posts! I want some of that sangria for tonight, and you still owe us a slice of that cherry pie! Happy New Year Lisa 🙂 Can't wait for more fun adventures with you next year!
mmm tasty wrap up! happy new year and all the best for 2010 dude!
Where's my cherry pie? LOL.
Another fabulous year of mouthwatering desserts (gorgeous photos as always!) and I look forward to more. 😀 Happy new year Lisa! xx
A list of favourites comprised of exclusively sweet recipes? A woman after my own heart 😀
The photos are gorgeous! Great round-up of your 2009 posts 🙂 Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! I'm thinking I'll have to try out that drink :))
Wishing you a very happy new year, Lisa 🙂
Lisa, that first photo of the brownie with the ice cream has got to be one of the most tempting ever. Happy New Year and may 2010 be filled with more goodies like these! 🙂
Trissa, absolutely! This pie definitely needs ice cream. Thank you! I hope the new year is wonderful to you too.
Steph, we need to have another picnic before the summer is over so I can make it again! Looking forward to many more foodie outings.
Suze, thanks! Happy and tasty new year to you too!
Karen, hahaa one day I promise! Can't wait for more adventures in the new year.
Hannah, funny how it always seems to happen that way!
Jacq, Lovely to finally meet you this year. All the best for a great new year xx
Laura, I made it again on NYE, it's definitely a winner. Happy New Year!
Ellie, Thanks! Hope to see you again soon. Happy New Year!
Lorraine, Same to you! Hope we can catch up soon xx