What a year it has been!

Officially, I have run this blog as you know it today for one year and three months. In that time, I have shared over 40 recipes with you all. What started out as an interest in making more than what comes in a box (the result of thinking I didn’t have time or anyone to cook for) turned into an exploration of food and the endless possibilities of each meal.

Here’s a look at some of my favorite recipes I’ve made, things I’ve seen, and events I have been to throughout 2012 (click on a photo to enlarge and view as a slideshow).

I hope you have enjoyed coming on this journey with me so far, here’s to another year of great food, and more books, and booze!

Lemon chicken salad (Jan. 2012)

Introducing smoothies as a part of breakfast. (Jan. 2012)

Turkey chili with blue corn chips. (Jan. 2012)

Balsamic baked fish. (Feb. 2012)

My first tuna pasta salad. (Feb. 2012)

Seeing mounted police in Rittenhouse Square. (Feb. 2012)

Discovering the deliciousness of skirt steak. (Feb. 2012)

Slow roasted pork over green papaya salad as demonstrated at the Flower Show. (March 2012)

Visiting Hawai’i at the Philadelphia Flower Show. (March 2012)

Trying St. Germain for the first time. (March 2012)

Making one of many turkey burgers. (April 2012)

Learning how to make things we buy from scratch and learning they taste better. (April 2012)

Recreating the dish that introduced me to lamb – Albóndigas in sherry-cream sauce with a salad. (April 2012)

Making hummus for the first time. (April 2012)

Making margaritas. (May 2012)

Lamb enchiladas with salsa verde. (May 2012)

Shrimp quesadillas. (May 2012)

Meatballs in a zucchini and corn cream sauce. (July 2012)

Discovering how easy it is to make ice cream. (June 2012)

What the inside of the feta and spinach chicken roll looks like. (July 2012)

Celebrating July 4 in AC with a 3D light and sound show. (July 2012)

Making almond cookies as a way of discovering the flavors of Morocco. (July 2012)

Taking part in the Foodie Penpals program. (June – July 2012)

Baileys white chocolate truffles. (Aug. 2012)

Seeing Nik Wallenda walk the high wire in AC. (Aug. 2012)

Experiencing the magic of Le Dîner en Blanc in Philly. (Aug. 2012)

Experimenting with my own recipe: Linguine and corn with almond pesto.

Finding out that fried chicken can also be baked – Spicy oven-fried chicken.

Swordfish with mustard and rosemary roasted potatoes. (Aug. 2012)

A peak inside lamb, potato, and cheese pierogi. (Oct. 2012)

Making pasta for the first time – Frascatelli with onions, red peppers, and spinach with a side of chicken. (Nov. 2012)

Meeting Chef Jose Garces, a chef I highly admire. (Nov. 2012)

Meeting Joan Verratti, owner of Pollyodd Liqueurs in Philly. (Dec. 2012)

Making cranberry shortbread. (Dec. 2012)