2010 has been the craziest, busiest and most creative and rewarding year I can remember. Denea and I launched GourmetRabbit magazine in March, which has been such an incredible journey, and we’re now well into production on the second issue to be released early next year. I’ve visited some of my favourite places and made some truly amazing friendships. I’m already looking forward to 2011, which I hope will be an even more incredible and adventure-filled year!

The year has flown past ridiculously quickly, but has been darn delicious! I went on a huge doughnut making bender, I perfected my recipe for BBQ Pork Ribs, and finally made chocolate and chilli “spicy ice cream”. Here’s a quick recap of my favourite posts of the year.

Coconut Pancakes with Banana and Caramel – I made these pancakes for my boyfriend’s birthday when I went to visit in March. They were delicious and totally decadent, the perfect breakfast for a special occasion.

Pomegranate Baklava – I had a little rant about blogging, and gave a baklava recipe a nice little twist. Every single time I see pomegranates at the market I think about remaking this recipe.

Chocolate & Chilli “Spicy Icecream” Sandwiches – For my 3rd blog birthday I thought I would finally make my blog’s namesake! It ended up being one of the most delicious ice creams to ever emerge from my kitchen, apart from…

Lemon Delicious with French Earl Grey Ice Cream – Oh baby, this was one of my favourite desserts of the whole year. I used the first fruits from my Meyer lemon tree, Sparky to make this amazing pudding and paired it with an ice cream I infused with T2 French Earl Grey. It was really something special.

BBQ Pork Ribs – 2010 was definitely the year of ribs. I think I ate more ribs this year than the rest of my life combined. I set about perfecting my recipe, and here it is.

Turkish Delight Doughnuts – This recipe came from an awesome restaurant in Melbourne called Maha, which I visited on my trip in October. I attempted to recreate them at home. They’re delicious, with a honey and rose syrup and sprinkled with toasted pine nuts.

Churros with Orange-Spiked Hot Chocolate – Another foray into doughnut making, these churros require a bit of elbow grease but are totally worth the effort. The hot chocolate spiked with orange and Cointreau is decadent and delicious, perfect for dipping.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Mousse Cake – This is possibly one of the most delicious cakes I’ve ever made, for my dear friend Denea’s birthday. Peanut butter brownie was topped with caramelised bananas and milk chocolate mousse. So much yum.

And of course, I had to mention my favourite restaurant meal of the year. Christine Manfield’s Universal restaurant in Darlinghurst was the winner far and away, an absolutely flawless experience that I can’t praise highly enough. Every dish got better and better, from a fresh and fragrant Sichuan Duck Salad, to a perfectly balanced Venison dish, to a borderline orgasmic Braised Wagyu Vol au Vent. Dessert was a naughty Ménage à Trois of chocolate mousse cake with passionfruit curd and fromage blanc sherbet. I would definitely love to go back in 2011!

Other notable restaurant experiences include the gorgeous Vasse Felix in Margaret River (I’m still thinking about that popcorn ice cream!), Mamasita in Melbourne for the best Mexican I’ve ever had, and my birthday dinner with some of my best friends at Etch in Sydney.

I would just like to take a moment to thank all of my readers for visiting me this year, and for all of your wonderful comments. You really do make my day! Wishing you all a very happy and healthy new year filled with good food, good luck and good times! I’m looking forward to hopping on a plane to Perth tomorrow afternoon to see the boy, then spend three days camping at Southbound festival in Busselton, so I’ll see you on the other side!