My Top 10 Favorite Recipes
Today is my 2 year-anniversary of starting my Instagram food page, and 1 year Anniversary of starting my food blog! And what a crazy couple years it’s been! I had no idea that a month after creating my food page the world would enter into a world-wide pandemic, and everything that’s happened since. There’s been a lot of ups and downs in all aspects of my life, but being able to get in the kitchen and create recipes was one of the few constants, and I’m so grateful for that!
To commemorate this day that literally no one knows about but me, I wanted to share my top 10 favorite recipes that I’ve ever created. I will say it was hard to narrow down, because I pour my heart and soul into everything I present on here. But I decided to stick to the recipes that I most often recreate in my own kitchen.
As always, don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest and Instagram @theflouredcountertop. There’s even more to find over there!
Enjoy! And thank you, for however long you’ve been with me. I appreciate your support!
#1Italian Garlic Loaf
I consider myself a pretty humble person, but I will often make this and then think to myself ‘dang… I’m a freaking genius!’. Which feels cringe to say, but I make this recipe more than any others, because I truly LOVE it!
It’s so versatile. Great for any pasta dish, but also a great base for Sandwiches (like my Italian Sub), or a perfect part of the all-important ‘Toast’ of Avocado toast. In fact, I need to go in and revise the recipe to where it makes two loaves, because I ALWAYS double it!
#2 Sweet Potato Quinoa Patties
We like to have people over for brunch. Not only because Brunch food is simply some of the best, but also because we’re usually having people over with little kids like us, and mid-morning is just a good time to meet. Anyways, whenever we do, I almost always make these Sweet Potato Quinoa Patties! They’re unique but still have familiar ingredients, most of which I bet you probably have on hand.
They go great in what I like to call a ‘Brunch Stack’, with a fried egg, Bacon, and my Jalapeño Lime Ranch, or in a salad pictured above. And if getting in the kitchen in the mornings isn’t your jam, that’s fine! Make the mixture the night before and simply cook up each patty right before you need them.
And did I mention there’s an easy swap in the recipe to make it Gluten and Dairy Free? Perfect for those with Allergies!
#3 Sweet Potato Kale Salad
This is one of the first recipes I ever created, many years back. And it always knocks the socks off of anyone who eats it, because it’s so flavorful, so nourishing, and simply delicious!
These Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Red Onion are the perfect compliment to the Feta Cheese and Kale situation, and then top it off with a slightly sweet, slightly tangy Vinaigrette, and you’ve got yourself a winner!
#4 Pear Prosciutto Salad
While we’re on the topic of salads…. Let’s talk about this Pear Prosciutto one. I created it just a few months ago, but it’s quickly becoming one of my favorites and something that I crave.
The crispy Prosciutto is just the best, but getting a pop of that sweet pear and Smokey Blue Cheese Crumbles makes you want to come back for more!
#5 Quick Pickled Veggies
These are something I almost always have in my fridge now. These Quick-Pickled Veggies are so great to have on hand and completely crave-able. I like to eat mine with wraps with Bacon, Avocado, a fried egg, Chick-Fil-A Sauce (You can make your own, or Walmart has a fantastic dupe), Sandwich meat, and Romain Lettuce. The end result is a filling and easy lunch or dinner, and something I love to serve to guests for lunch. In fact, I’ve served it to a couple people who, weeks later, will say ‘Hey… remember that wrap you served me? With the pickled Vegetables? Where’s that recipe?’. And I’m always happy to oblige!
And true to it’s name, this recipe is quick, and lasts in your fridge for quite a while.
#6 Pizza Rolls
This one, technically, is not my recipe. It’s from an extraordinary baker, Michelle Ayala, who I knew from Church growing up. I can remember her showing us how to make it growing up, and then it’s something I’ve been making ever since! I’ve added a few ingredients, but the genius of this recipe remains the same- Treat Pizza like you would Cinnamon Rolls, and roll them up!
My kids beg for this meal. It’s fun to make with them, fun to eat, and always leaves us with some really great leftovers for the next day or two.
#6 Orange Molasses Zucchini Muffins
Okay so I originally made this in Bread form, so if you’re a Zucchini bread lover, go head over there, but I also made these into Muffins and just truly love them that way! I think it might be because I’m all about the crispy edges, and muffins give you more crispy edge to soft-middle ratio.
Anyways, these are my take on Zucchini bread, and you’ll never want to go back to plain zucchini bread (or muffins) again! The pop of flavor from the Orange and the depth of flavor from the Molasses is truly something delicious.
#7 Apple Cider Snickerdoodles
I have a special place in my heart for these cookies. Snickerdoodles are a pretty well-known and beloved cookie, but I loved my take on these by adding a few packets of Apple Cider Drink Mix. Picture an Apple Cider Donut and Snickerdoodle, and you’ve got one delicious cookie.
These are great to make around the fall/winter time, but I recently bought a ton of the drink mix so I can make these year round!
#8 Mango Curry Fried Rice
My 5 year old calls this ‘Sonic’ Rice because he says he loves it so much that he eats it as fast as Sonic the Hedgehog does. Which I absolutely love!
This rice is simple, fast, Vegetarian, gluten free, dairy Free, and did I mention-approved by my 5 year old? I love to make this dish, and I’m actually making it tonight! It definitely has made it’s way into our regular rotation.
#9 Veggie Mac and Cheese
This recipe makes me nostalgic. Simply for the fact that it was the first recipe I ever posted online!
But truly, I still stand by this recipe (maybe not the first photo, but you can check out the blog post to see that one!). It’s great for getting rid of those vegetables in your fridge, while also making your family a filling and healthy(ish) meal. Still plenty cheesy and creamy, but made creamy with roasted and then pureed vegetables. Plus, it makes great leftovers.
#10 Banana Cake with Brown Butter Glaze
I only posted this one about a month ago, but I’ve made it 3 times since then, so I think it’s safe to say it’s one of my favorites!
This cake is moist, dense, sweet, but not too sweet, and topped with the most superior glaze- Brown Butter Glaze. And definitely a simple, straight to the point recipe. Great for beginner bakers!
I also made this recipe at one point with 1 cup of Gluten Free Flour and 1/4 cup of Almond flour, and was pleasantly surprised at the results! So even those who are sensitive to Gluten can enjoy this cake.