As we finish up 2014 I wanted to go back through my archives to remember what we’ve made throughout the year and to share with you a few of my favorite dinner recipes. Josh and I have definitely found several staples that we will keep making. We have cooked a few of these so often that Josh can even make them without me giving him directions from the other room (this cauliflower fried rice is his go-to).
And because this has been the year of pairings (paired up with Josh to write a book, and teamed up with a few friends to open a coffee shop) I thought I’d pair my favorite meals with these amazing candles by Produce Candles.
Chicory Produce Candle + Chickpea and Butternut Squash Stew
The chicory candle puts off smells of nuts and coffee. This Chickpea and Butternut Squash Stew has charred bread and sautéed fennel which make for a fun match alongside the toasty smell of chicory. I think the chicory candle would also go great with Chestnut Soup, or Brazilian Feijoada.
Rosemary Produce Candle + Sautéed Vegetables with Herbed Ricotta Dumplings
We have had this candle lit all throughout the Christmas season. I think it would be the perfect complimenting aroma as I cook up these sautéed vegetables with herbed ricotta dumplings. It also perfectly balances all of the sweets coming out of my oven during the holidays (like this challah bread or these cookies).
Beet Produce Candle + Chicken and Vegetable Pot Pie
We make this easy pot pie often and use whatever vegetables we have on hand. Though I don’t always add beets to the pot pie the flavor coming from the candle would add a nice earthy aroma when the pie is bubbling away in the oven.
Honey Produce Candle + Sweet Potato Spinach and Sausage Soup with Quinoa
This soup is perfectly sweet and spicy all at the same time and a little addition of honey in the air would work just perfectly. We make this one all the time. For Christmas Eve we used farro instead of quinoa for a more hearty and stew like consistency. This slightly sweet candle would also go great with my Super Food Bowl Salad which is made with a honey lime avocado dressing (& one of my most popular posts to date!).
If you’re interested in teaming up some of your cooking with a new fresh Produce Candle, check out the offerings on their website at ProduceCandles.com. A few tips for candle pairing – use complimenting flavors or flavors that are already in your dish. For example if you’re making Moroccan food, which is usually sweetened with honey, you could try the honey candle or if you’re making a pasta dish with lots of herbs try one of the candles featuring an herb. Try not to overpower the smells coming from your kitchen with a candle but instead partner with them. Also, bring the candle into your entry way or living room to spread out the good vibes.
GIVEAWAY
I wanted to share the great smells I’ve enjoyed this holiday season so I’m giving away a candle to one of you! Leave a comment with the best dinner you’ve made all year to win. Winner will be announced on New Years Eve is Debra from Elliot Eats! For a double entry check out my previous post and add a comment with a challenge you hope to take on this coming year.
Here are some more favorites dinners from this year:
Cauliflower Fried Rice We change this one up a lot adding in different veggies, chicken, and occasionally rice plus cauliflower. The cauliflower perfectly soaks in all of the juicy flavor from the soy sauce and sesame oil!
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Risotto
One Pan Farro with Tomatoes Sausage and Kale
Probably any dinner with my Dad. We live several thousand miles apart, but whenever we’re together we whip up good southern dishes like skillet cornbread, slow beans, biscuits, and tamales.
That sounds quite perfect Katherine. Especially with your dad 🙂
All year I must admit the best dinner I have made was a homemade savory herb & sea salt bread loaf (which was probably also the best thing I’ve ever baked from scratch!) and a lemon and olive oil massaged kale salad with roasted sweet potato, beets and sliced avocado. My tastebuds were in heaven!
Turkey rubbed with spices, stuffing, asparagus, twice baked potatoes, pumpkin pie and fudge
Oh my goodness, by far the best dinner I’ve made all year was the feta/sweet corn/tomato/basil salad I made almost weekly during the summer. SO GOOD.
The best dinner? Flank steak with a chili cilantro sauce and mashed potatoes. Mmmm.
That’s so hard! I love doing a really great roast chicken because it’s delicious that night but we have leftovers for days!
Roasted Chicken is the best. If you’ve never tried Thomas Keller’s version you must. I have his tips and recipe on my blog somewhere in the archives!
Favorite dinner would have to be the Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas I made a week ago, simply because my kids loved it and so did my husband!
My favorite meal of the year would be the Super Bowls! I can’t get enough of them. 🙂
YAY! So glad to hear you’re liking them too!
I made a big brunch for friends one Saturday — scones, puff pastry-wrapped asparagus, mojito fruit salad…the works! I just love brunch. 🙂
Rachel, brunch is my favorite too. Your spread sounds divine!
My best dinner was my “Friendsmas” dinner (Christmas with friends). Duck, pork, chicken and salmon were all on the table, finished off with a Christmas Wreath Pavlova x
WOW! That sounds incredible Emily! I love celebrating holidays with my best friends too.
Favorite dinner this year would have to be my new favorite Banh Mi Rice Bowls!
My favorite meal this year was easily a bacon and eggs capellini that I threw together in 20 minutes with random leftovers in the fridge. Sometimes the best meals are the ones that stem from being hungry and so inventive with what is around.
Slow-cooked lamb in red wine sauce — cooked to perfection, slid right off the bones! Mmmmmmmmm.
The best meal I ever made was a Beef Wellington (with green beans and mashed potatoes). I was so excited that I panicked and called my friend over to make the pastry with me. My hands were shaking. Possibly this was because the meat cost about $90!
I got to my southern roots and made hush puppies and beignets.
Love the pairings. Best dinner to date—most recently a after present-opening dinner of Beef Bourginon. Delicious! All the best and happy new year!
Beef Bourginon!! I’m sure that was amazing Debra! I need to make that in 2015!