Happy Friday, everybody, I hope your holidays were merry and bright! We had Ben’s family in town from the 20th through Christmas, so I took the opportunity to take a short interwebs/blogging break to be present with them. It was wonderful.Â
We also hosted my family along with Ben’s for Christmas Eve dinner which starred Ben’s first attempt at prime rib. He crusted a 10lb roast with heaps of cracked pepper and sea salt. Into the oven and off to church we went. After a song and a prayer we returned home and, with a song and a prayer, we sliced that sucker up.
NAILED IT!!! I tell you what, Ben needs to start his own manly food blog. He did such a great job and the entire roast was scarfed down by all. So yum. Going to try and convince him to make another one for New Years Day, though something tells me I won’t have to try too hard. ;)
The next day we all headed over to my parent’s house for this little pork chop’s first Christmas – whee!
One the of the most touching gifts he received was ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas recorded by my Grandma. I tell you what, if you need a really special gift for a grandchild/niece/nephew/etc, these recordable books by Hallmark are a wonderful idea. I love the thought of Lincoln being able to hear his Great-Grandmother’s voice reading to him anytime he wants!
Our Christmas feast was just that – a FEAST featuring all my favorites. Christmas ham, of course, plus Luann’s Kale Salad, Party Potatoes Deluxe, Green Beans and Bacon, and Grandma’s Holiday Salad (which I had approximately 1,500 bowls of. #worthit.)
‘Twas a wonderful Christmas indeed! (Could you not just die over bat-Finn?)
Now that the holidays are behind us (sob!) it’s time to start looking towards the new year. I’m sad to say goodbye to 2013, after all this was the best year of my life thanks to the birth of our baby boy, but I’m also excited for what 2014 holds. If the past year has taught me anything, it’s that the possibilities for life are absolutely endless. Before we get there though, I want to recap the Top 13 recipes of 2013 on IGE per your visits, pins, tweets, and shares!
From meatballs to pasta salads, soups, casseroles, and sauces, you guys totally dug these 13 recipes. I’m loving the variety here (not all chicken, know what I mean?) Some vegetarian recipes, some appetizers, some skinny dishes, some not. Maybe you’ll find one of your favorites here or discover a new dish to try.
Regardless, I hope you enjoy, and have a wonderful final weekend of 2013!
#13 Feta-Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Full of that signature flavor and spice, yet made with low-fat ground chicken and bold seasonings, Feta-Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Meatballs will be the first appetizer to go at your next party or get-together!
#12 Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
Chicken & Wild Rice Soup is thick and creamy, but has no cream at all. A lighter take on one of my favorite hearty winter soups.
#11 Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches
Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches are a mouthwatering version of the popular hot sandwich recipe. Just 5 ingredients, easy to toss together, and slow cooked in yummy juices all day.
#10 Mediterranean Orzo Salad
Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a simple vegetarian side dish that’s packed with fresh and zesty flavors.
#9 Tomato-Basil & Spinach Risotto
Tomato-Basil & Spinach Risotto is fresh and light. Perfect any time of year and easier to make than you think. Give risotto a try with this recipe!
#8 Avocado, Mozzarella & Bruschetta Chicken
Avocado, Mozzarella & Bruschetta Chicken is simple, flavorful and ready in 15-20 minutes. Fresh, healthy, and fast.
#7 Make-Ahead Fruit & Yogurt Breakfast Parfaits
Make-Ahead Fruit & Yogurt Breakfast Parfaits are easy to assemble and make-ahead, so they’re ideal for a delicious grab-and-go breakfast.
#6 Lazy Girl’s Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Lazy Girl’s Chicken Enchilada Casserole is perfect for nights you don’t feel like cooking, but want a home-cooked meal. Throw all the ingredients into a casserole dish then bake. Easy!
#5 Skinny Chicken and Broccoli-Rice Casserole
Skinny Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli-Rice Casserole is soul-satisfying, lighter comfort food. Perfect for a chilly night. Leftovers are just as good, too!
#4 Easy Cheddar Cheese Sauce for Vegetables
Liven up everything from broccoli and cauliflower to baked potatoes with Easy Cheddar Cheese Sauce, which takes just 5 minutes to make!
#3 Chicken Fajita Sizzling Salad
Chicken Fajita Sizzling Salad is sizzling fajita ingredients served over a bed of chilled, crisp lettuce, and tossed with a zesty Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette.
#2 Creamy Garlic Shells
Creamy Garlic Shells are made with fridge and pantry staples, come together in about 15 minutes, and are pasta-packet (and funky preservative) free!
#1 Cheesy Taco Soup
Cheesy Taco Soup  is thick, hearty, and loaded with taco-inspired ingredients, and a homemade cheese sauce. No condensed soup needed!
3girls1apple 12.27.2013
So many outstanding dishes to try. They all look so tasty and amazing. Great picks for 2013. Happy New Year from 3girls1apple.com
Carrie 12.27.2013
These recipes look amazing! Can’t wait to try the meatballs!!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 12.27.2013
What a sweet idea for a gift! That’s something you can pass down in the family too so that even her great-great grandchildren can hear her voice one day. It’s perfect!
Lincoln’s hair is getting so long…he’s going to be such a little heart breaker. ;)
Carma 12.27.2013
Needing to add a couple of those recipes to my “must try this” list. I think every recipe of yours I have tried, the hubby says “we need to make that again.” (We? I was alone in the kitchen, bub! LOL)
I love the recorded book by grandma. That will be a treasure for years to come.
Sadye 12.27.2013
This is so interesting — I don’t think I bookmarked any of those as absolute musts to make, but evidently I missed out on some jewels :)
Elizabeth @ Positive Change 12.27.2013
Looks like a perfect couple of days! That roast looks amazing, I am a sucker for a roast! And i’m pretty sure i have pinned all of these recipes!
cozygirl 12.27.2013
I just love following you, as well as my niece. You food photos are so amazing…not to mention the recipes! Happy holidays….and thanks for sharing your stories with all us!!!
Lindsay 12.27.2013
O.M.G. I want every recipe! And I hope you do a prime rib tutorial :)
Emily 12.27.2013
My husband’s grandmother recorded Twas the Night Before Christmas as well and gave it to us as a shower gift. It’s such a sweet idea. And the advice about hiding it is so helpful. I will have to do that as well.
Brittni M 12.27.2013
So I don’t normally comment on blogs but I just wanted to thank you for producing such an awesome, wholesome, adorable blog that seriously inspires me every time I read it! I have tried so many of your recipes and loved every one of them! Your family is adorable and I love living my life vicariously through your stories, so keep them coming! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Jeni Flaa 12.27.2013
I made your cheese sauce to dip sweet potato fries into. It was pretty fantastic. Thanks for all the recipes! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Kristin from MN 12.27.2013
Oh I forgot to mention last night I made your salmon on a Dole Light Caesar Salad and OMG I’m sooooo in love! I didn’t even like salmon until last night. I got the sweet maple marinated salmon from Hy-Vee and sautéed per your recommendations and I am obsessed now with that crusty edge the salmon gets. Soooo good!
Kristin from MN 12.27.2013
Beautiful family picture! This year my husband also tackled a prime rib and a beef tenderloin for Christmas dinner and he definitely nailed it! He was scrambling the night before for butcher’s twine (no stores open on C’mas Eve past 8pm in our town) . Haha! Luckily our neighbor had some. ;)
erin @hooleywithaz 12.27.2013
yum. i still need to make the italian beef sandwiches, but they are on my list! my husband will LOVE them!
Crissy S. 12.27.2013
I am SO glad I’ve found your blog! I look forward to all of your yummy recipes every week! My hubby is from Iowa (and a HUGE Hawkeyes fan), so every time I try a new recipe from your blog, I make mention that it’s from Iowa Girl Eats (“you know, the one who’s a big Hawkeyes fan”). That way, he’s sure to like it! The Italian Beef Sandwiches are a HUGE hit with us! We eat them atleast once every two weeks! I even made it when my Canadian cousin was in town! I think I may have to try your Feta-Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Bites for NYE…YUM! Happy 2014 :)
Jenn 12.27.2013
Word of advice on the new recorded book – hide it!! My daughter, now a toddler, had accidentally deleted all the original recordings from her granparents because she hits all the buttons!!
JennP 12.27.2013
Those crock pot beef sandwiches are one of my favorite recipes of yours – so good! Glad you had a nice Christmas.
Kristi 12.27.2013
I’m sure it’s simple enough but wouldn’t mind hearing more about how the prime rib was made too. And I love the bruschetta chicken! (I know it’s chicken, but still)!
Kevin @ Closet Cooking 12.27.2013
What a tasty year! Happy Holidays!
Anna S. 12.27.2013
That prime rib looks AMAZING!! Think you might jot down some specifics on how he made it? I can generally guess on most things, but not with big chunks of meat. They scare me. Thanks!