Top Ten Reader Favorites of 2014 | Fork Knife Swoon @forkknifeswoon

Happy New Year! As we’re getting ready to ring in 2015 in a few hours, I’ve been reflecting on the past year, and thought it would be fun to recount the top ten most popular recipes of 2014.

But FIRST, I’d like to thank each and every one of you for reading and sharing this space with me. Thank you for allowing me to create and have my best job ever as a full-time blogger (!). This site could not exist without you and (three-ish years later) I am still constantly pinching myself. So here’s wishing you all a very happy, fabulous start to the New Year. I can’t wait to cook with you again next year!

Now, without further ado, your 2014 favorites…

Dark Chocolate Banana Muffins | Fork Knife Swoon

1. One Bowl Dark Chocolate Banana Muffins

The number one recipe of 2014 also happens to be one of my personal favorites of the year. You guys went crazy for these super easy, decadent, chocolate-y (but actually decently healthy) banana muffins. One bowl (no mixer required) and about half an hour stand between you and sweet, chocolate banana bliss.

Kale, Spinach and Goat Cheese Pasta | Fork Knife Swoon

2. Weeknight Kale, Spinach and Goat Cheese Pasta

This easy, weeknight favorite narrowly came in second – behind the most popular FKS recipe of all time – and is more evidence that you guys really love pasta. Greens and goat cheese (I cannot get enough) combine for a healthy, satisfying pasta dish that’s perfect for chilly fall/winter nights. We make variations of this recipe all. the. time.

Creamy Coconut and Blood Orange Popsicles | Fork Knife Swoon

3. Creamy Coconut and Blood Orange Popsicles

I found some particularly vibrant blood oranges at the market and made bright pink Valentine’s Day popsicles, resulting in one of my favorite flavor combinations of the year. It may have been the middle of winter, but creamy, frozen vanilla coconut milk + tangy blood orange swirled together for the win. Love me some winter citrus (and judging by how these exploded on Pinterest, so do you…)

Whole-Grain Triple Dark Chocolate Brownies | Fork Knife Swoon

4. Whole Grain Triple Dark Chocolate Brownies

I finally mastered chewy, chocolate box-like brownies from scratch, and these have easily become my go-to brownie recipe. It took me months, years even, but these decadent, dense, fudge-y, crackly-topped, homemade brownies became a delicious reality in the ‘Swoon kitchen.

Garlic, Sage & Brown Butter Pasta | Fork Knife Swoon

5. Garlic, Sage and Brown Butter Pasta

I made this on a whim one morning and it is pure carb heaven. Fresh pasta tossed with flavorful brown butter – infused with garlic and fresh sage – combine with toasted breadcrumbs and parmesan… I don’t even know what else to say. You get it.

Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Cookies | Fork Knife Swoon @forkknifeswoon

6. Flourless Hot Cocoa (Marshmallow-topped) Cookies

These hot cocoa inspired cookies were a delicious consolation prize after I dropped the pie. The melted marshmallows take them over the top and these were easily your favorite recipe of the holiday season.

Simple Homemade Chicken Ramen | Fork Knife Swoon

7. Simple Homemade Chicken Ramen

My efforts to create a quick, simplified version of authentic Japanese shoyu ramen resulted in my favorite chicken recipe of the year (and my second most popular poultry recipe behind these crispy baked chicken tenders from last year). It’s a hearty, flavorful soup filled with ramen noodles and fresh veggies and topped with succulent chicken breast slices and a soft-boiled egg. So. Good.

Tomato and White Bean Stew with Ditalini | Fork Knife Swoon

8. White Bean and Tomato Stew with Ditalini

I love me some white beans, and this hearty white bean and tomato stew is ultimate comfort food. A close runner up? This lemony kale and white bean soup…

Fool Proof Crispy Herb Roasted Potatoes | Fork Knife Swoon

9. Crispy Herb Roasted Potatoes

My favorite method for perfectly crispy roasted baby (or fingerling) potatoes, generously salted and tossed with fresh herbs. I almost didn’t post these – I was nervous you would think these were way too simple – but you proved me wrong, big time.

Cider Baked Apples with Cinnamon Brown Sugar Crumble | Fork Knife Swoon @forkknifeswoon

10. Cider Baked Apples

Once again, the simplest recipes often reign supreme. After hoarding tons of apples this fall, I stuffed these petite heirloom beauties with a cinnamon-oat crumble and baked them in apple cider. The result: sweet, melt-in-your-mouth autumnal goodness.

And there you have it! I’m so looking forward to getting back to cooking – post holidays – and I would love to know what sorts of recipes you’d love to see next year. Seriously, send me your suggestions!

Until then, have a fun/safe/bubbly celebration tonight! See you next year!

xo, Laura