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See ya, 2016! This year was a tough one for me and for so many others, I’ve heard. May 2017 be better to all of us! Here are the top ten recipes from 2016. Looking through them is almost like looking through a scrapbook, because they remind me of the circ*mstances surrounding each one.
I worked harder this year than ever, and I’m proud of these recipes and the cookbook that I made this year. Since the cookbook took so much time away from the blog, I published fewer recipes here so I could maintain my quality standards. I’m excited to share many more delicious concoctions for you all next year. What would you like to see? What are you craving for 2017? Please let me know! I’m always listening and adding your suggestions to my lists.
1) Veggie Black Bean Enchiladas (and enchilada sauce)
“OH MY GOODNESS. I stumbled upon your page on Pinterest and am so happy I did! I made these tonight and my husband and I devoured them! It was nearly impossible to stop at 2 each.. I resisted but he had 3! The enchilada sauce makes all the difference in the world. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe with us! xo” – Elizabeth W.
2) Healthy Apple Muffins
“These are some of the fluffiest, most apple-icious muffins I’ve ever tasted! Made them with half KAF gluten free flour & half oat flour. Came out amazing!” – Amanda
3)
“I’ve made this three times now and I think I love it more each time I make it! Thank you for such an awesome recipe – this delicious casserole has become a regular dinner at my house. And I love the picture of Cookie eating the broccoli stem – my dog loves it too! Looking forward to trying more of your recipes.” – Sara
4) Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
“I made this with 2 cups sliced banana and 1/2 cup mixed berries on top! It was superb! Thank you. I have loved many of your recipes. (We make the sweet potato and black bean tacos all the time!)” – Lauren
5) Simple Seedy Slaw
“Super easy to make and delicious, to boot! I forgot to pick up carrots so mine was cabbage only. Didn’t matter, my taste buds were beyond pleased.” – Sondra
6) Spicy Black Bean Soup
“This soup is amazing! It will definitely be put in our weekly rotation this winter. This was quick to put together, healthy, and there are so many ways to add on ingredients like the avocado, radishes, cheese, Greek yogurt, etc for extra tastiness. Thank you…your recipes are quickly becoming favorites in this house!” – Martha
7) Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
“This is quite possibly the best recipe I’ve made this year! I’d eat this for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. I left out the white wine (I drank it instead ;) ) and added about 2 generous handfuls of spinach with the butternut squash at the end. The wilted greens, creamy rice, and nutty squash made the absolute perfect meal. Usually, I’m not satisfied with a one-bowl dinner, but this required no sides. Perfect on its own. Thanks!” – Alyssa
8) Healthy Pumpkin Bread
“I think I made this cake at least 10 times with pecans or chocolate chips or just plain and it is always so delicious!! I love how easy it is to make but still super healthy.” – Cecilia
9) Kale Pesto Pizza
“This pizza is incredible! Your dough recipe is now my go-to pizza dough. So easy and quick. I used walnuts instead of pecans and added some sun-dried tomatoes on top and my whole family is obsessed with this pizza. The slices freeze and reheat really well too. Thanks!” – Sarah
10) Sun-Dried Tomato, Spinach and Quinoa Salad
“I have made this on several occasions. It is always a hit!! I have taken the liberty of adding feta cheese after the quinoa has chilled a bit. Other than that, I follow the recipe exactly, and it always comes out great!” – Barbara
More resources you might appreciate: 13 make-ahead breakfast recipes, 16 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You can shop my essential kitchen equipment here. Don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for a steady stream of recipe inspiration!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Lis
Amen to those enchiladas – they were a HUGE hit in our house!
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Kimberly
Howdy, Kate! Yours and the Minimalist Baker’s are my top two sites that me and my vegetarian soul love and use regularly.
Recently, because I struggle with menu planning and grocery shopping, I’ve been trying this lady’s generously offered meal plan (four weeks, for one person). She’s done a wonderful job, but some of her accompanying recipes are lackluster in taste.
Yanno what would be Epic-Sauce? Combining the two: Your recipes in a meal/grocery plan by the week!
But that’s a huge project….
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Kate
Thanks, Lis! That’s great!!
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lld
tell us more/where to get yur ckbk u have been working on. love yur recipes that are so good AND healthy with easy, doable i gredients and time. wishing u a new and improved 2017!
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Kate
Thank you, LLD! I appreciate that. My cookbook comes out next May!
Maria
This list read like a greatest hits album… So so many of these dishes have made their way into our typical rotation of meals! Especially the enchiladas and the quinoa gratin;) YUM!!
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Kate
That’s so great, thanks Maria!
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Rebecca S
The enchiladas are DELICIOUS! My husband eats meat all day everyday. It’s a struggle for me to plan our meals never mind getting him to eat vegetarian! He requests these..on a weekly basis!! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
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Kate
Thank you so much, Rebecca! Delighted to hear it.
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Sara @ Last Night's Feast
That kale pesto pizza has my name all over it
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Kate
You’re going to love it! :)
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Cindy
Kate, I am so happy I found your website earlier this year! thank you for sharing your healthful and delicious recipes. I especially love your sweet potato and black bean tacos. I make them at least once a month and have incorporated 2 nights a week to meatless meals. Who knew veggies could be so good! Thank you.
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Kate
Thank you so much, Cindy! I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying the recipes.
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Jacquie
Hi Kate, I love your recipes. I am newly gluten free, but have been a vegetarian for 20+ years. I really appreciate the recipes that are either gluten free or have an easy way to make them gluten free. Your salads are my favorite, fun flavors with simple and healthy ingredients. You always seem to make sure that there are lots of different flavors and textures in your food, yum. Thank you!!!
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Kate
Thank you, Jacquie! You’re right, I’m kind of obsessed with texture. Glad to hear you appreciate my recipes! I’ll have more gluten-free recipes for you soon.
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Lora
I’d love more salad ideas (that don’t include squash)…I have a default salad I serve all the time but I’d love some more options that could be used as either a main or side.
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Kate
Thanks, Lora! Salads are my favorite, so I’ll have more soon. Here are my salad archives.
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Stacy
I have made 4 of the 10. And many more. We loved them all. Thanks for another year of great recipes!
Kate
That’s so great! Thanks, Stacy!
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Aneesha
Some type of sweet potato hash recipe would be great.
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Kate
I’ll see what I can do!
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Katherine
Hi!!! I love cooking ur food. I was wondering…. could u make some things with more meat or seafood??? Thanks!
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Kate
Sorry, I’m a vegetarian, so all of my recipes are going to stay vegetarian. I hope you find some more recipes to enjoy here soon!
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Teresa Walker
Many thanks for all your wonderful, delicious, do-able recipes, Kate! Continued success in the coming year. Happy New Year!
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Kate
Thank you so much, Theresa! Belated Happy New Year!
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Gustavo Woltmann
There are recipes for everybody. #6 seems very delicious, can’t wait to try it.
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Kate
Thanks, Gustavo! Hope you get a chance to try it soon.
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Helen
Hi Kate,
I’m from Australia and was wondering where I can purchase yr books? Please help.
Thanks.Reply
Kate
Hi Helen, I hope it will be available in Australia. I’m not sure about the distribution details just yet, but I will be sure to share when I start publicizing the book more in a few months.
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Jennifer
Very yummy recipe roundup! I really enjoyed the quinoa salad and apple muffins. :) some specific recipes ideas I have would be a vegetable Moroccan stew, middle eastern rice with dried fruit/spices, and maybe vegetarian potato soup. In general I love recipes that make great leftovers. Looking forward to your cookbook and new recipes in 2017.
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Kate
Thank you for your suggestions, Jennifer! I have a Moroccan stew in my upcoming cookbook that I LOVE. I’ll add your rice and soup ideas to my list!
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Joan
Number 3….. made so many times!
I expected your The Very Best Brownies to be on this list. love them!Reply
Joan
Oops, just looked at the brownie recipe. It was posted in 2014. Crap, I could have had two extra years! :)
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Kate
Haha! I’m so glad you found the brownies. They’re still my favorite.
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Katie F
I’m pretty sure I’m at least 35% responsible for the Black Bean Veggie Enchiladas and the Baked Oatmeal being on this list…I made them so many times in 2016 as freezer meals for myself and other families having babies! Both are delicious, and freeze and reheat perfectly–they saved dinner on many nights. :) Thanks so much, Kate!
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Kate
That is awesome. Thanks, Katie!
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Marjorie
I love reading these end-of-the-year roundups. :) I want to make those enchiladas ASAP! And the pizza looks amazing too. Happy new year!
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Kate
Me, too! Happy New Year, Marjorie.
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Terri Castonzo
Where are to how too make these?
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Kate
Hi Terri, if you click on the recipe photo or title under the photo, you’ll find the original post with the recipe. Enjoy!
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CJ
Great muffins! I’ve been making various flavors to my one year old. Thank you. I would be interested in vegan alternatives too.
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Kate
Thanks, CJ! I’ve made a note of your suggestion :)
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vikas
thank you for sharing the yummy collection :)
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Kate
You are welcome!
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