The Westering Hills

Hi! I’m still sick! In fact, I had a relapse today and feel quite crummy, thankyouverymuch. Head pressurized like, uh, like some pressurized thingy, and whatnot. I really hope I don’t get/have a sinus infection because then you will hear my wrathful roar, oh yea, even you clear across the country!

Okay, onto the topic at hand. I am following Sher’s lead and jumping in on the Top 10 Favorite Recipes of 2006, except for me, it will be Top Whatever Number I Choose Recipes That I Found Solely on Blogs From the Time I Started Blogging. So, in no particular order:

1. Wok Tossed Salmon with Chilies and Basil. My mouth waters just thinking about the simplistic yumminess of this oh-so-easy-to-make dish.

2. Black Bean and Corn Salad. This is a fairly standard recipe but man, do I dig it. It’s become my summertime potluck dish and I always get compliments for it!

3. Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Apples, and Onion. The two times I made this, I thought people were going to drool into their plate. A great way to reintroduce Brussels sprouts to those who hated them as kids (except for Barrett, he is implacable on his dislike for the sprouts!).

4. Vietnamese Spring Rolls. These are so fun to make and very worthwhile for the way folks chow down on them! They became my second potluck dish to bring. Who knew making spring rolls was so easy?!

5. Bok Choi with Peanuts and Cilantro. From the divine Miss Sher. My newest favorite! I realize that I’m probably the last person on the planet to discover the wonder of fresh bok choi. I just bought some more bok choi tonight in sweet anticipation of making this again over the weekend!

6. Scallion-Ginger Linguini. Sher strikes yet again! As she says on her blog, the aroma that fills the house is mmmmm. This recipe works without any meat too.

7. Penne alla Vodka. A classic Italian dish that I’d never made before I started really cooking in the last year or so. I don’t know how it had eluded me!

8. Linguini with a Basil-Pea Cream Sauce. This is cheating a bit because I found it in a magazine at the gym, but I posted it on my own blog so it sort of counts, right? I think this basil-pea sauce is so good, it could be bottled and sold on its own. It’s one of Barrett and mine’s favorite pasta dishes. I think it works best with a whole wheat linguini.

9. October Stew with Pears. The pears make this dish. Wonderful winter comfort food. Alas, as I’m not eating meat anymore I won’t be tasting this again but I’ll make it for Barrett.

10. Spinach Soup. A fantastic way to use up spinach that is languishing in the fridge. And the bright green color is so purty!

11. Mushroom Bisque. One of the sexiest and delicious-est soups I have ever made. The wilder the mushroom, the better. This one has ‘em drooling in the aisles.

12. Spicy Lemongrass Shrimp. From Sher. Need I say anything else?

13. Creamy Salmon with Lemon. From Anne of Anne’s Food. All the time it take to grate an entire lemon into zest? Totally worth it. If you’re a salmon fan and you’ve never made this before, hop to it! You’ll be amazed that you somehow lived without it.

14. Red Seasonal Salad. When I made this last month, Barrett and I took our first bite, turned to each other, moaned, and Barrett said, “We’re making this every week.” It’s just that good.

and finally,

15. Herbed Barley Salad. A nice, crisp barley salad for warm summer days. I think the dressing is what really makes it. Be sure and have the recipe on hand when you serve this because you will be asked for a copy!