The annual "best of" list of recipes, gardening and DIYs, including my favorites from the previous year and the 10 most popular of all time.
Each year about this time I like to reflect back and see what were the recipes and articles that resonated with both you and me the previous year.
It helps me to know what you'd like more of (over the years, you may have noticed it's a lot more recipes than DIYs which is directly because of this), what things I enjoyed - and is a way to celebrate the previous year.
Speaking of that - I'm so thankful for each and every one of you who visits the site, makes a recipe (and reviews it and give a star rating - that's SO helpful), starts a garden, paints a piece of furniture and leaves a comment so I can know about it.
It's the BEST. I have laughed, cried, and given virtual high-fives to the emails and comments I've gotten throughout the year.
I read and answer every one because it truly doesn't get old and it's one of the best parts of this crazy thing that has become my job.
An Oregon Cottage will turn 14 years old in 2023.
That in and of itself is kind of unbelievable to me - and it's all because of the readers who visit and spend time on the site.
So I'm celebrating another year with these two "Top-10" lists, hoping that you will find a gem you missed or be reminded of something you wanted to try.
First up are my 10 favorites from 2022 (most used, eaten, and enjoyed!) followed by the 10 most popular recipes over the 14-year (!) lifetime of the site.
My Favorite Recipes & DIYs from 2022
These favorites aren't in "top 10" order, but just in order from when they were published, January to December, because I don't really have a favorite - I love them all!
1. Farmhouse Before and After Kitchen
While I love with my whole heart all the before and afters of the rooms in our 1900 farmhouse, it's the kitchen that is my favorite.
Yes, we use it everyday. Yes, it's a joy to see how my design flows and how every bit is used. But mainly it's the light and the character. Be still my heart.
2. Simple Baked Pasta With Cheese
I usually have an attitude of "take it or leave it" when it comes to pasta. Except for this cheese baked pasta that I have made for years - it's always "take it."
It's the flavor of the marinara and sausage all layered in different cheeses - I could (and do) clean my plate when it's this pasta. And the fact that it takes just minutes of hands-on time OR that everyone I serve it to loves it? Icing on the cake.
3. Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Although a good vinaigrette is always a jar shaker away, when I paired balsamic with maple syrup it was a match made in heaven. This dressed more salads than I can count last year and will continue far into the future.
4. Trellising Tomatoes The Easiest Way
Trellising tomatoes with the least work possible, yet not resulting in flopping over plants at the end of the season has always been my goal.
When my aunt shared her method to trellis the plants on cattle/hog panels with no pruning and a genius tie system, it was like the garden angels sang. And I've never looked back.
5. Flavorful & Easy Grilled Vegetables
Of course this simple recipe that uses whatever veggies you have on hand would make my list - it's literally on our menu 2-3 times a week in the summer and fall. Change up the seasoning and change out the veggies and you have different flavors with one easy method. SO good.
6. Roasted Chipotle Salsa for Canning or Freezing
I kind of shocked myself by trying a new canned salsa recipe because I love my thick and flavorful basic salsa so much. I still do because it's the easiest - but now I make a batch or two of this incredibly smokey flavored, chipotle spiced, thick canned salsa to go along with it.
Having choices on the canning shelf is always a good thing.
7. Quick Sourdough Vegetable Fritters (Discard Recipe)
I said at the beginning it would be hard to choose a favorite, but if I were to really drill down, these sourdough veggie fritters just might be at the top. I love, love them and will happily eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Oh, man - spread with a spicy mayo, they are the BEST. Plus, it uses up the extra sourdough starter I have when I'm building my starter up to make bread and they are healthy. So many wins.
8. Honey Caramel Triple Nut Tart
This honey caramel nut tart looks so rich and decadent, but it's actually lower sugar than many desserts and the variety of nuts adds nutrients. I'm not saying it's a health food - just that it's healthier than some other desserts BUT you wouldn't know it from tasting. It was my favorite thing to take to holiday gatherings and everyone loved it.
9. Soft 100% Whole Wheat Crescent Rolls
I had experimented with a white flour soft crescent roll to take to a potluck when it occurred to me that I could simply use my proven 100% whole wheat roll dough and make it into crescent shapes. It worked! They are soft, pull-apart delicious buttery morsels that are perfect to take places.
10. Peppermint Fudge Brownie Mix
December was the season of jar gifts - I love how simple they are to put together, how inexpensive, and how nice they are to give so people can make them whenever they want.
Of all the jar mixes I made, the fudgy brownie mix was my favorite - both with and without the peppermint. These are some of the best brownies I've ever made with the perfect balance of fudgy and cakey and with the crinkly top. Almost didn't want to give them away!
All-Time Most Popular Posts
These are in order starting with #10 and working down to the most popular recipe ever on the site, according to Google.
10. Best Thick Canned Salsa
9. Addictive Tomato Chutney (better than ketchup!)
8. Garlic Mint Insect Spray That Really Works!
7. 100% Whole Wheat Soft Sandwich Bread
6. Soft 100% Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls
5. Perfectly Salted Roasted Almonds
4. Roasted Cabbage Wedges With Onion Dijon Sauce
3. Freeze Green Beans without Blanching
2. Three Ways to Freeze Corn
#1 Most Popular of All Time: Easy Sourdough Artisan Bread
I'd love to know what you think - is your favorite on the list? Do you agree with my favs?
What do you wish were on the lists?
Teresa says
My absolute favorite is ur easy artisan sourdough bread, I have been making it once a week.. I had been doing sourdough bread for a while
But never getting it like I want and this is the recipe That did it for me! It never turns out bad now! Thank u Jami!
Jami says
This is music to my ears, Teresa - yay!!
I think with bread baking there is so much you gain just be doing it pretty consistently - the feel of the dough, the look of it, how the weather is affecting it and things like that - and with that experience under your belt, you can turn out consistently good loaves of bread. 😀
Tamar Lundeen says
I laughed at the twisting wisk comment in salad dressings. I have been doing this for years just for eggs for breakfast, so fast and easy and no need for a mixer. I use it for many things in cooking. Thank you for all you do.
Jami says
Yes! But it took me years to figure out, ha!
Christie Hole says
I found your salsa recipe about 3 years ago and I'll never use another one. We love it! I've also used some of your vinaigrette dressing recipes. I love that they're simple without all the additives. I also downloaded your guide to freezing vegetables. It's been very useful. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Jami says
Oh, thank you so much for letting me know, Christie - that's always encouraging to me to know things are resonating with readers!
Pam says
Though we love all of your bread recipes there is absolutely no doubt that our favorite recipe, now and forever is your 100% whole wheat pan rolls . Sheer perfection!!!!
Jami says
Thank you, Pam - many in my family would agree with you!