A look back at 2012
Happy 2013 everyone! I wish for it to be inspirational and splendid one!
With the New Year, before actually starting off with brand new recipes, perhaps it’s wise to a take a peek at the highs of the previous one!
So here’s a quick round up of some of the more memorable things that happened (or were posted last year)
January
A very very productive and not entirely healthy start to the year. As you can see my 2012 resolutions did not include any self limiting points…
February – March
There are a few memorable posts from February such as experimenting with matcha pastas, red wine and butternut squash tartlets, but let’s be honest, all this fades away in front of chocolate mousse marathon.
Yes, was (still is) the ultimate chocoholics dream, to be able to test and choose literally the best chocolate mousse ever. To do that I’ve gathered my some of the most profound sweet tooth cases I know and having selected 12 (not kidding here) different chocolate mousse recipes, we’ve put them all to the tasting test. There were all sorts of creations: complicates, using many or few ingredients (some even weird like avocado or tofu) and some incredibly simply. What it actually mean to go through 12 chocolate mousses in a row you can read here, and below is a visual recap of all the chocolate goodness.
p.s. now that almost a year has past since the chocolate mousse marathon and I’m back on good terms with my waist line, I’m slowly contemplating (and this is just me thinking out loud) about a chocolate cake… marathon!…
April – May
The next big marathon was a brief introduction to Lithuanian cuisine. Myself being Lithuanian, I though I had far too much ignored the food I grew up with, so for the sake of memories and enlightenment, I’ve picked personal favorites and traditional dishes to represent the cuisine, from making traditional rye bread (which actually is one of the most popular posts of year) to kvass (naturally made fuzzy drink), to breakfast sweets, hangover soup (it really works folks) pancake and doughnut marriage and pink soup!
June
After my very productive first part of the year, June has set sort of a slow trend for the rest. However, there was one clear standout not to be forgotten, or what happens when food bloggers get to play with food…
July
July was sort of the time for cookbook reviews and out all that are cramping my shelfs (and contributed to deprivation of finances over the years) I’ve picked three favorites, that are simply not to be missed: “Sauces” by James Peterson, “Purple Citrus & Sweet Perfume: Cuisine of the Eastern Mediterranean” by Silvena Rowe and “Culinary tea” by Cynthia Gold & Lisa Stern. Some of these books aren’t really light and will take time, but will be absolutely worth it.
August granola
What else to add here, before this I was a non believer, but now I believe…
September
…or pork, paella and Provence. Amen.
October
Kicking off Christmas gift preparations early… (though next year I think I’ll start in July), still having home made Vin d’orange for Christmas was a real treat!
November
The month of the opposites: steak and vegan cookbook, can you be ever more far apart? Seriously, being the a sworn carnivore, I’m probably the last you’d expect to buy a vegan cookbook, but let me tell you it’s incredible, and has plenty of ideas how to spice up regular vegs. Oh, and in case you’re wondering what that stack of fried aubergines, well, it’s one of my culinary highlights of the year. Just saying…
December
As it is customary for the season, treats for festive table!
Wonderful recipes!
Cheers,
Rosa
Gourmantine, your chocolate mousse marathon made me swoon. Your Lithuanian series made me long for the “home country” recipes my Grandma used to make. The rest of your treats, goodies, and gourmet offerings made me glad you play with food.
What a spectacular year in your kitchen! Here’s to 2013…
P.S. I didn’t get my Vin d’Orange put together until New Year’s Day… but it’ll be ready to savor in time for my birthday and I’m looking forward to it!
Thanks so much Kimby! I’d love to hear how vin d’orange will turn out for you (I already have a second batch brewing)
What a scrumptious year! I believe I found your lovely blog during the chocolate mousse marathon, and what a marathon it was!
Yes, I’m still nostalgic of those time, though it took me a couple of moths to get rid of the eating consequences, but chocolate is all worth it
what an amazing collection of amazing recipes~ I think my favorite was the pancake and donut marriage!
Thanks, the pancake and donut marriage is one of the best food memories I have from childhood (especially when you get them for dinner)!
I miss coming here and glad I did today to see your 2012 roundup. You are extremely talented at cooking and I hope you continue sharing your wonderful recipes with us and I look forward to this year’s posts!
Happy New Year! 
xo
Thank you so much Nami (I’m blushing here)
All of your recipes looks incredible delicious. I will be coming more often:)
Thank you very much for visiting
oh my yumminess. I am definitely following you
This is a great recap of the year! Every single dish looks so good. Can’t wait to see your chocolate cake marathon!
PS: lets get together once the snow is gone and the weather heats up a bit.
Thanks Lilly, how does your February look like?
I will hopefully have fully recovered from winter colds by then… This is seriously not the Dutch weather I’m used to…
Hi, I’m new to your blog and I’m so glad I discovered your site. All your food is so beautifully presented. I can’t wait to go back and check them out one by one.
Your round-up is so awesome. I’m drooling all over these pictures.
Wish you a wonderful weekend ahead.
Hi Amy, thank you so much for your kind words