Top Recipes of 2015

We’re almost at the end of 2015, and it is time to reflect on the year that was.

The biggest thing to happen this year was starting my own business. I’d hesitated on it for the longest time, forever analysing my shortfalls compared to my competitors, but finally, tentatively made the leap and started my own Food Photography, Food Styling and Recipe Development business.

That leap, though, while stressful, has been rewarded, and I’ve worked with some amazing clients from new businesses right through to national fast food chains. I’ve learnt and grown so much I can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store!

One of the unfortunate side effects of trying to grow my business has been the lack of recipes I’ve been posting of late. My goal is to change that for 2016, and I’ve spent the last few weeks jotting down recipe ideas. I now have so many ideas that I think I’ll be cooking right into 2020 at this point!

But none of this would happen without you, my readers, supporters and friends. Thank you so much for all of the photos of the recipes you’ve made, and wonderful emails and comments. They mean so much! It has been so wonderful to share my food journey with you these last 8 years. Thank you!!

So, before we move onto the year ahead, let’s look back on the top 10 recipes of 2015.

10. Tahini Caramel Buckwheat Balls

Perhaps one of my favourite, slightly less guilty treats, are these crunchy little balls. They’re fiddly, yes, but they are worth the end result. And if you don’t feel like getting your hands dirty, just make the tahini caramel and spread it on toast or toasted banana bread. Bliss!!

9. Mushroom Bolognese

I love giving meat based recipes a vegetarian makeover and my mushroom bolognese has been a definite favourite with you, and my husband!

8. Caramelised Cauliflower Salad with Toasted Buckwheat

Toasted buckwheat was my favourite discovery of 2015. I love sprinkling it on salads for added crunch, and it is the perfect finishing touch to this cauliflower salad.

7. Honey and Rosemary Upside Down Fig Cake

I adore figs! More often than not I devour them before I get a chance to cook with them, but I did manage to reserve a few for this cake, and it is so worth it! The lovely hint of rosemary along with the honey and figs is a winning combination.

6. Chickpea Pancakes with Avocado

These pancakes are my breakfast most days. I love them that much.

5. Tuscan Bean Soup

This is one of my favourite winter soups, and it seems it is one of yours too.

4. Moroccan Carrot and Chickpea Salad

I adore this salad. It is a fantastic hearty, yet light dinner, and perfect for picnics or parties. The sweetness of the carrots and dates contrast beautifully with the spice-laden yet slightly tart dressing and the crunchy almonds on top. Bliss in a bowl!

3. Vegan Aquafaba Chocolate Mousse

2015 was the year of aquafaba. As soon as I read about it I couldn’t wait to try it, and have made meringues, mayonnaises, and mousses. This mousse is a firm favourite in our house, however, I now make it with 70% cocoa chocolate (use 140g of 70% cocoa chocolate instead of the quantity stated in the recipe). It is delicious topped with your favourite fruit, or as a filling in my vegan chocolate cake, which is exactly what I did when I made a black forest version to take to a family get together recently.

2. Mushroom and Cauliflower Vegan Shepherd’s Pies

My husband is quite traditional when it comes to his love of food, so I wasn’t sure how these would go down with him when I first made them. As a result, I was shocked when he asked me to make them again for dinner the next night. As weeks went by and his requests for them only increased, I knew I was into a winner. It seems you think so too, with my vegan shepherd’s pies taking out the number 2 spot this year.

1. Thai Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin soup is always a winner, and it is hard to beat this delicately spiced winter warmer. Topped with a swirl of coconut milk, shaved coconut and herbs it is my most popular recipe of 2015.

So tell me, what were your favourite recipes of 2015? And, more importantly, what recipes would you like to see in 2016?