Several of my fellow bloggers are doing, or have done, their top ten posts of 2013. Well, seeing that 2013 was a slow year for All That Splatters, I thought I would come up with the all-time top ten favorite posts of ATS (or what
I thought were the top ten favorite posts of ATS). If you disagree with my list, let me know! In no particular order, here we go:
General Tso's Chicken
This delicious chicken dish seems to be a popular dish among Pinteresters. All the ingredients can be found with a trip to your local grocery store. Easy enough to make, a batch of rice rounds out this meal. If you haven't tried it yet, do so. You're going to love it!
Jalapeno-Cheese Bread
Many people shy away from yeast breads. A little flour, a little yeast, a little water, a touch of salt, and a little time is basically all breads need. Need. Hmm. Okay, maybe a little kneading. If you have a heavy-duty stand mixer (like a Kitchenaid), that machine will do most of your kneading. Now, if you are so moved, add something that makes your mouth water. You can add nuts, or dried fruit, or cheese and/or chopped jalapenos. Yum. You've got the makings of the best toast ever. Seriously. Ever. You'll see.
Oven-Roasted Cauliflower, Onions & Garlic
I learned a few years ago that if you roast a vegetable, the end-product was like candy. Put a little caramelization on Brussels sprouts, asparagus, eggplant, and I'm a happy girl. Roast some cauliflower with onions and garlic and then finish it off with a tangy little dressing, and I'm in heaven. You will be, too. Trust me on this.
Vanilla Bean Butter-Rum Poundcakes
While my chocoholic sisters and brethren enjoy their addiction to the cacao bean, my craving goes towards the other end of the spectrum. I find the aroma of vanilla heady and intoxicating. And if the dessert menu suggests anything with vanilla bean added to it, I'm done. My decision is cemented. With vanilla bean added to the cake and the sauce, these little cakelets are luscious. Absolutely luscious.
Pulled Pork Sandwich
One would think that pulled pork always needs to start in a smoker. Or a barbeque grill of some sort. Not so. My trusty crockpot came out of retirement for this version and was I ever glad to give this version a shot. The meat comes out juicy and tender and delicious. Top the meat with a little cole slaw, and you've got a memorable sandwich. I'm telling you - get out your crockpot. You won't be sorry.
Scallops with Chili and Honey
Here's an appetizer that's easy and decadent. How often is a recipe described that way? Crispy little wontons, blanketed with sliced green onions (scallions), then layered with juicy scallops that have been caramelized with a bit of a saute and glazed with a sauce of honey and chili. Is your mouth watering yet?
Cloud Souffle
This is a pretty and delicious breakfast dish. It's gorgeous enough for guests, and surprisingly easy enough for treating yourself. Serve with asparagus or toast "soldiers". It's wonderful.
Union Square Cafe Bar Nuts
You're going to want to make these. And when you do, make sure you double the recipe. They are spicy and sweet, salty and slightly herbacious. One tip: when you add the rosemary, make sure you use fresh. A dear friend of mine used dried rosemary - the full amount called for in the recipe. She thought I had gone out of my mind for recommending this recipe. Use fresh rosemary. You will think you had temporarily lost your mind for not making these sooner. Promise.
Italian Open-Faced Sandwich
I came upon the recipe for this open-faced sandwich while watching a PBS cooking show many years ago, long before FoodTV or the Cooking Channel. As I mention in the post, the flavors meld together unbelievably well. You'll be surprised how delicious this is. It's an easy casual week-night, after-work, anytime meal.
Chicken with Garlic & Parsley
This is another dish that brings a lot of people to All That Splatters. The recipe calls for few ingredients, and the whole thing is done in less than 1/2 hour. With all that going for it, you'd think this recipe wouldn't have much flavor. But you'd be wrong. It's full of flavor and quite satisfying. Cook up a little rice or pasta as a side, and dinner is done.
BONUS: Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce
I love caramel. I think I could eat a shoe if it had caramel sauce drizzled over it. That's not to say that the apple cake isn't good. It's really moist and delicious. The caramel sauce, however, puts it over the top. My mother has been making this recipe since I was a kid. It is a winner.
