Seasonal Sundays: The Best of 2024

Food bloggers love this Happy New Year's tradition: looking back across the entire year, sharing the new recipes which most connected with readers. I go a step further, selecting "just one" recipe from all of 2024 as "most useful" for my collection of Best-Ever “Most Useful” Recipes, now 22 years strong! Plus, how about some lucky foods for ringing in the new year, greens and black-eyed peas? Will you find yourself tempted to make one of these recipes? I sure hope so!

~ Skip Straight to the Good Stuff ~

~ PIN This ~

Welcome to Seasonal Sundays ...

Seasonal Sundays is 100% written by a real, live human, no blah-blah copycat ChatGPT AI plagiarism, thank you very much. Any awkward phrase, unclear meaning, misspelled word, mistaken fact, bad punctuation or overwrought alliteration is the clean, proud product of my own inadequacy as a wordsmith and oversights as an eagle-eyed editor. But when that human says she's grateful that you're here, reading, well, please know, she really truly 100% means it. PS And if you like this collection of "Best of 2024" recipes, perhaps you'll share this newsletter with a friend or social circle? If you forward this message, others may subscribe for free right here. Thank you!

Do you ever try to "think back" to remember the highlights (and low lights) of a year?

Some are milestones, hard not to remember. The big things. New relationships. New babies. New jobs, houses, cars, etc.. Maybe a vacation or a winning season or finishing a big project. Or the hard things. A new illness or a big loss.

But what about that next tier? What lit up your life in a smaller but still meaningful way? What was important, what surprised you, what would you like to, with intention, not forget? Maybe it's just me but these aren't exactly "little moments" we seek out every day but they are surprisingly hard to remember without consciously looking back, even (hello Type A and List People) keeping or jotting down a list.

So me, I'm working on that list, a look back in the 2024 rear view mirror, before crossing the line into, oh my, can it really be 2025?

Well, yes, it really can. So Happy New Year!

But most of all, thank you for sharing the year that was 2024 with me. Your presence, your comments, your notes, your encouragement all fuel a continuing commitment to simple food prepared well following the seasons and ever mindful of household food budgets. I couldn't do it without you.

In Praise Of ...

• ... finally coralling all the cords/cables that collect, these Velcro cable labels (affiliate link) are re-useable and have ample space to write what what device a cord matches up to, needs a Sharpie for writing


• ... Ransom Notes (affiliate link), a table word game that kept six of us (including two very-hard-to-keep-at-the-table teenagers) laughing after brunch on Christmas Eve, works especially well for free thinkers, the sillier, the more outlandish, the better


• ... battery-operated candles in all the windows, my favorite thing at Christmas! I swear, mine are decades old, probably came from the Christmas aisle at Walgreens ...

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2024 in Review: The One & Only Single-Most Useful Recipe of 2024

Long-time readers know that at the end of the year, I look at all the new recipes and pick "just one" as "most useful". Some times the choice is super obvious.

This year? Ha! I did not see this one coming!

It was 2024's very first new recipe and I posted it on a whim and a prayer right after it helped my husband recover from Christmas Covid: when he wasn't really hungry but needed nutritional comfort food, easy to eat, easy to swallow, a little bit slurpy.

Useful in this era of flu, colds, RSV and Covid? I'll say. It's a sign of our time.

• THE RECIPE Eggs Poached in Milk Comfort food and nourishment for upset stomachs. (PIN This)

• THE COLLECTION Best-Ever “Most Useful” Recipes 2002 – Present Just one recipe per year. (PIN This)
• AND ANOTHER All Recipes, Sorted by Year

2024 in Review: Readers' Favorite Breakfast

• THE BEST NEW RECIPE Protein Smoothies for Two Maximize protein with everyday ingredients. (PIN This)
• THE RUNNER UP Smoked Salmon Quiche Quick to make, reminiscent of a lox and bagel. (PIN This)

2024 in Review: Readers' Favorite Appetizer

• THE BEST NEW RECIPE Homemade Onion Dip Retro party favorite returns with a taste revelation, caramelized onions. (PIN This)
• THE RUNNER UP Easy-Easy Festive Goat Cheese Spread with Fig Jam, Pistachios & Pomegranate A real crowd favorite. (PIN This)

2024 in Review: Readers' Favorite Supper

• THE BEST NEW RECIPE Easy-Easy Broiled Salmon with Olive Salad Just three ingredients, on the table in 20 minutes. (PIN This)
• THE RUNNER UP Easy-Easy Hummus Salad Another Quick Supper, just a light, loose hummus topped with chickpeas, fresh summer vegetables and feta. (PIN This)

2024 in Review: Readers' Favorite Side

• THE BEST NEW RECIPE Honey-Sweet Cornbread Sweetened with honey, a "northern" take on cornbread that's moist and tender, a total treat. (PIN This)
• THE RUNNER UP Hasselback Potatoes So little effort, so much drama. (PIN This)

2024 in Review: Readers' Favorite Salad

• THE NEW RECIPE Rainbow Salad Pretty pastel vegetables in a Sweet Lemon Vinaigrette. (PIN This)
• THE RUNNER UP Old-Fashioned Potato Salad Loaded with protein, all my mom's tricks for the best version of this picnic classic. (PIN This)

2024 in Review: Readers' Favorite Sweet

• THE BEST NEW RECIPE Carrot Cake Mixed in a food processor, baked as muffins, cupcakes, square snacking cakes and more. (PIN This)
• THE RUNNER UP Finnish Christmas Stars (Joulutorttu or Tähtitorttu) Much beloved by Finns across the world. (PIN This)

2024 in Review: Readers' Favorite "Extra" Recipe

• THE BEST NEW RECIPE Comeback Sauce The Southern staple, so good, you'll "come back" for more. (PIN This)
• THE RUNNER UP My Spice Rub Our house seasoning, an all-purpose blend and a "chef's kiss" for meats, vegetables and more. (PIN This)

What's Brand-Spankin' New?!

Wondering about a recipe from the last while? Check Recent Recipes from Kitchen Parade and Recent Vegetable Recipes from A Veggie Venture.

• THE RECIPE Easy-Easy Festive Goat Cheese Spread with Fig Jam, Pistachios & Pomegranate A real crowd favorite. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Herbed Goat Cheese An easy low-carb, make-ahead appetizer, plus, meet my dog! (PIN This)

• THE RECIPE Finnish New Year's Franks & Potato Salad Finland's casual, celebratory tradition, perfect for low-key gatherings. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Charcuterie for Two Practical tips and ideas for convivial meals for special occasions. (PIN This)

• THE RECIPE Holiday Oatmeal with Cranberries & Orange Morning oats all dressed up for Christmas. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Swiss Bircher Muesli Healthy overnight oats inspired by a hotel breakfast buffet in the Alps. (PIN This)

• THE RECIPE Finnish Christmas Stars (Joulutorttu or Tähtitorttu) Much beloved by Finns across the world.
• ANOTHER TAKE Graham Cracker Toffee Quick, easy, addictive! (PIN This)

• THE RECIPE Winter Bitter Greens Chopped Salad A tangle of freshness, a celebratory salad for everyday and occasions. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Festive Kale Salad with Apple & Pomegranate A burst of color, texture and flavor for holiday meals. (PIN This)

Compliments!

Please know, YOU really matter here. Your comments and email (my current address is in the FAQs) encourage and inspire and motivate and some times make me laugh out loud or turn a little teary. It's a good day when I can "see" what you're cooking, "hear" how a recipe worked out, "know" what you're loving.

• ANOTHER FAN! "Delicious! Next time I will omit the white pepper and just use a dash of black pepper. The white pepper flavor was too strong for me." ~ Anonymous
• THE RECIPE Turnip Puff or Rutabaga Puff A family Thanksgiving favorite. (PIN This)

SEASONAL INSPIRATION:
Lucky Greens & Other Foods for Good Fortune in the New Year

• THE RECIPE Lucky Black-Eyed Pea Salad Ensure good fortune in the New Year.
• ANOTHER TAKE Summer Black-Eyed Pea Salad Looks like, tastes like, bites like – summer in a bowl! But make it any time of year.

• THE RECIPE Lucky Black-Eyed Pea Soup Ensure good fortune in the New Year.
• ANOTHER TAKE New Year's Soup with Black-eyed Peas & Collard Greens Healthy & satisfying vegan soup after holiday indulgence.

• THE RECIPE Sautéed Collard Greens with Bacon For good fortune and good health in the new year. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Braised Collard Greens Slow-cooked on the stove until almost buttery.

• THE RECIPE Slow-Cooked Greens & Smoked Turkey So good, you'll want to eat the pot. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER TAKE Red Beans & Rice Slow-cooked Creole comfort food. (PIN This)

• THE RECIPE New Year's Soup with Black-eyed Peas & Collard Greens Healthy & satisfying vegan soup after holiday indulgence.
• ANOTHER TAKE Hoppin' John Soup A double dose of good luck for the New Year. Use up leftover ham!

January: Reader Favorites

• IT'S NOT FOOD, IT'S DIY Homemade Foot Lotion Take care of your feet, three easy-to-find ingredients. (PIN This)
• MORE IDEAS The Homemade Pantry Recipes for foods (and lotions!) we could buy but choose to make at home. (PIN This)

Trending NOW

• SAFETY TIPS How to Safely Purée Soups & Other Hot Liquids in a Blender Preventing big messes and bad burns. (PIN This)
• ANOTHER USEFUL IDEA How to Freeze Stock in Canning Jars Thrifty practice for green kitchens. (PIN This)

• THE RECIPE Swedish Red Cabbage & Apples Savory not sweet.
• ANOTHER TAKE Cabbage Noodles Ribbons of soft, silky cabbage, almost like pasta.

January: Recipes Lookin' for a Little Love

• THE RECIPE Celebration Salad (Maple-Roasted Carrots with Arugula, Dill, Cranberry Vinaigrette, Pomegranate and Glazed Pecans) An exultant platter of texture, color, flavor and mood.
• ANOTHER TAKE Egyptian Kamut Salad with Roasted Carrot & Pomegranate A hearty main dish whole-grain salad for celebrating Christmas Day on January 7th by Coptic Christians.

• THE RECIPE Winter Greens Salad with Oranges, Avocado, Olives, Feta & Orange-Cumin Vinaigrette Bitter greens plus juicy oranges tossed with a long-time favorite no-oil salad dressing.
• ANOTHER TAKE Winter Bitter Greens Chopped Salad A tangle of freshness, a celebratory salad for everyday and occasions. (PIN This)

The Kitchen Parade Almanac: Looking Ahead ...

• December 31st - New Year's Eve
• January 1st - New Year's Day
• January 5th (first Sunday) - Alanna's Take Down Christmas (or Else) Day
• January 20th (Monday) - MLK Day

• THE COLLECTION New Year's Recipes Bringing the year to a close in style.

Looking Back ...

LAST NEWSLETTER OF THE YEAR
• 2019 Happy New Year! (Week 1)
• 2020 Happy New Year (Week 53)
• Happy Lucky New Year! (Week 53)
• 2023 Best of 2023 (Week 52)

FIRST NEWSLETTER OF THE YEAR
• 2021 Early January (Week 1)
• 2023 A Cozy Cool Down (Week 1)
• 2024 January Bucket List (Week 1) (PIN This)

RECENT WEEKS
• Holiday Breakfasts (Week 52) (PIN This)
• Christmas with Kids (Week 51) (PIN This)
• Santa's Holiday Grab Bag (Week 50) (PIN This)
• Let's Bake for a Cookie Swap (Week 49) (PIN This)

Soups & Salads Especially for (It's Almost) January

• Seasonal Soup & Salad Recipes for January, tons of ideas!
• BUT REALLY, DON'T MISS THIS EXCELLENT SOUP, WW OR NOT Weight Watchers Zero Points Garden Vegetable Soup The original Weight Watchers soup.
• OR THIS FRESH-TASTING SALAD Winter Greens Salad with Oranges, Avocado, Olives, Feta & Orange-Cumin Vinaigrette Bitter greens plus juicy oranges tossed with a long-time favorite no-oil salad dressing.

Good to Know!

• THE COLLECTION Chillin': Favorite Chili, Chowder & Cornbread Recipes Stayin' warm from the inside out. (PIN This)

Silly (But Fun?!) Food Holidays

• December 28 & 29 — National Chocolate Day, ha! cuz one ain't enough? (chocolate recipes)
• December 30 — Bacon Day (Baked Bacon)
• January 1 — Apple Gifting Day (apple recipes)
• January 4 — National Spaghetti Day (Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce)

Trader Joe's Test Kitchen

I picked up a loaf of Trader Joe's Super Bread this week. It's a vegan bread with multi-grains, also multi-seeds. It makes excellent toast (in a toaster) and would be great for Fried Bread (skillet toast) too. Next up, avocado toast.

A Quick Peek Into a Real-Life Kitchen

Just so you know, everything's not all pretty pictures around here, in the background is a pile of dirty dishes. And just like many (all?) of us, come five o'clock, I too draw a blank about what to make for supper, despite so many recipes I so dearly love. Here's a quick peek from this week.

• THIS WEEK Weird, I know, but at Christmas, I especially love to try new recipes! Some years, the new recipes fuel December recipes a year from now, definitely the case this year. But I did pull together this super-quick simple salad for a brunch on Christmas Eve. I didn't have any fresh mint (and know from experience not to go without) but this year, fresh dill was a great substitute. So good! I prepped even the simple sauce the day before, then just added the fruit and dill an hour or so before serving. So good!
• THE RECIPE Apple Yogurt Salad Perfect for holiday & winter brunches. (PIN This)

• Some times, timing is everything. After just a couple of days of too much, too rich food, on Boxing Day, a simple piece of fish was in order. I totally forgot the mustard but the crust was still excellent, with fresh dill vs the usual parsley. So good!
• THE RECIPE Salmon with Crispy Crust Moist, flaky fish topped with a golden bread crumb crust. (PIN This)

Something to Read

Apparently I'm binging on Rosamunde Pilcher. I loved Winter Solstice (affiliate link) and immediately downloaded The Shell Seekers. And now I'm in the middle of Coming Home.

The Shell Seekers was personally interesting because as I recall, it was one of her very favorite books. So as I read, I kept wondering if there were characters she related to, what captured her attention, how it compared to other books.

• THE BOOK The Shell Seekers (affiliate link) by Rosamunde Pilcher


• NO TIME TO READ? How I Read 4X More This Year Than Last What I gave up, how I read so much, what I read.

Don't Be a Stranger ...

I'd love to hear from you. Comment, send me a quick e-mail (my current address is in the FAQs), dot-dash in Morse code, build a fire for smoke signals, launch a message in a bottle, send a Christmas letter, get the dog to yip, toss me a note wrapped in a rubberband, write a message in the sky, scratch a note in the sand, listen to a seashell, tuck a question into a plastic Easter egg, whatever.

• Any advice for Seasonal Sundays?
• Just one thing that would make it more useful for you?
• Anything else? Chime in, chat away.

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Kitchen Parade is written by second-generation food columnist Alanna Kellogg and features fresh, seasonal dishes for every-day healthful eating and occasional indulgences. Quick Suppers are Kitchen Parade favorites and feature recipes easy on the budget, the clock, the waistline and the dishwasher. Do you have a favorite recipe that other Kitchen Parade readers might like? Just send me a quick e-mail, you'll find my current address in the FAQs. How to print a Kitchen Parade recipe. Never miss a recipe! If you like this recipe, sign up for a free e-mail subscription. If you like Kitchen Parade, you're sure to like my food blog about vegetable recipes, too, A Veggie Venture. When you make my recipes, I'd love to know your results! Just leave a comment below or better still, on the specific recipe's page.

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2024