2012...what a year it was! For us it was one of monumental change, as we moved to another country (Thailand) and new continent and started a new life. New apartment, new jobs, new friends, new travels (including some places we'd never visited before such as Korea, Macau and Vietnam), new culinary exploits...it was truly a nonstop adventure! While I didn't blog as much as I would have liked, I enjoyed discovering all kinds of unfamiliar ingredients in my new environs, creating and adapting many new recipes (several with a Thai twist, naturally!), improving my photography and making many new friends in this amazing worldwide community of food bloggers. It was pretty tough to pick my favorite 10 recipes from this year, but here it goes (coincidentally, some of these were also among my most viewed and/or commented recipes this year)...
This is one of Luis's classic recipes for whenever he is pressed for time. A delicious tomato sauce whipped up in a matter of minutes in the blender and enjoyed over the pasta of your choice.
The cool little Thai vegetable known as winged beans (tua plu) in an amazing savory dressing of coconut milk, tamarind, lime juice, sugar and roasted chili paste. A classic Thai yam (salad) which is out of this world!
The classic Middle Eastern/North African dish of eggs stewed in a spicy tomato sauce is given a Mexican twist with ancho chilies!
7. Kaima Idli
Inspired by the famous South Indian restaurant chain Saravana Bhavan, these fried idli pieces sauteed in a delicious, spicy sauce make the perfect cocktail snack!
Hearty, delicious Portuguese bean soup. This is Luis's recipe inspired by the beautiful Azores Islands where he grew up!
In Thailand, tender or young coconuts are everywhere! The meat and water of the coconuts are incorporated into a creamy, cardamom-infused Indian kheer in this recipe. Inspired by my aunt!
Reminiscing about my years in Africa, this was a simple dish that I enjoyed all over the continent. Delicious, nutritious and packed with flavor!
This is the ultimate in Thai fusion! The tangy flavors of tom yum soup incorporated into a creamy pasta with coconut milk. Yum...it's no wonder that Luis now requests this regularly!
Indian-style chickpeas, also known as chana masala or chole, is one of our cuisine's best known dishes. In this adaptation, it is whizzed up in the blender with some broth to make a creamy bisque. Hearty, delicious and livened up with just a squeeze of lemon juice.
My favorite recipe of the year was a no brainer! This delicious ice cream made by Luis is basically just a frozen mango lassi -- cool yogurt, royal saffron, sweet Thai mangoes -- pure genius!
So there you have it...my top 10 recipes of 2012! For all of you who have supported The Mistress of Spices this year, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I wish you and yours a very happy (and spicy!) 2013, filled with good health, prosperity, joy and fulfillment in all that you do!
You are so talented and through this year, as I rarely visited blogger in the first 10 months, I always look forward to your posts on the FB feed. You never fail me with your talent and your travels are always so so interesting! What an inspiration you are! Wishing you a prosperous new year!!!!
ReplyDeleteLoved all your picks as 2012's best! All yummy! My personal favorite is (I bet you know what it is) 'Elaneer Payasam' of course. Mango lassi ice cream is a tempting one too! May the new year be the very best for the two of you!-Mom
ReplyDeleteLoved your upma recipe. Also, while random, your title is catchy. Have you read the book "Mistress of Spices" by Chitra Divakaruni?
ReplyDeleteGreat article with excellent upma recipe idea! I appreciate your post. Thanks so much and let keep on sharing your stuffs keep it up.holy food
ReplyDeletereligious food