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The 25 Most Popular Recipes of 2019.
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Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.
I know I said this yesterday, but I love this time between Christmas and New Years’. Everything and everyone just slows down. And even though I’m still working (because I literally just can’t stop), I’ve slowed a bit and taken some time to chill with my family, think back on this incredible year we’ve had, and start thinking ahead for 2020. It’s been such a nice Christmas break and I’m excited to still have a few lazy days left.
Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations were low key and perfect. I followed the dinner menus I shared with you all to T. Our dinners were simple but delicious and we all greatly enjoyed our time together at the table.
My favorite gift was hands down the canvas painting that Asher made me (she’s very into painting right now). It’s hanging in my house already and I love it. No major plans for New Year’s Eve, other than making some traditional Filipino foods and most likely falling asleep before midnight. What are you all up to?
In much more exciting news, my cousin Maggie and her long-time boyfriend Tom (who also happens to be my brother’s best friend) finally got engaged! It was so fun to be able to celebrate with the two of them while they were here in Colorado. We all couldn’t be more excited for those two! Maggie recently started working with us here at HBH. She’s been doing a lot of work behind the scenes helping out with social media. She’s quickly becoming a big part of HBH so I’m sure you’ll be getting to know her better.
Coming up this week… Tomorrow I’ll be sharing the most popular recipes of 2019. Then on Tuesday, we’ll have a round-up of my favorite healthy…ish recipes for the New year. I’ll be taking New Year’s Day off, then kicking off 202O with a creamy, but extra healthy, curry. And as we always do, we’ll be finishing up the week with something sweet…but balanced. So many delicious recipes this week…and much more to come in 2020, can’t wait!
Lastly, if you’re catching up on blog posts from the week, be sure to sign up for our daily newsletters. They’ll help you to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here, as well as fun content you’ll only get via email. And of course, if you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s #9 on the favorite’s list).
Healthy January 2020 officially starts on January 2nd. And even though I’ve already started developing and photographing recipes for the new year, I would LOVE to hear what you guys are looking for most when it comes to healthy eating. I know many of you struggle with meal planning, easily get bored with salads, and that eating healthy on the go can be difficult. Is there anything I am missing?
Let me know what recipes you would love to see! Also, would more detailed meal plans be helpful? Or are the ones I give within this post perfect?
2020 Content Request
What would you like to see more of?
Is there anything you’d like to see less of?
Do you want more lifestyle and DIY posts? Or would you prefer we keep posts all recipe-focused?
Anything you are wanting to see on Instagram stories?
Let me know. It’s always so helpful having your feedback so that I can provide you guys with content you really want to see!
sparkling christmas party punch
the spicy sweet grinch cocktail
holly jolly christmas citrus cocktail
holiday cheermeister bourbon punch
spiced cranberry rosé spritzers
q: Are you ready for 2020.
a: Never been so excited for a new year!! 2019 was incredible, one of the best. I reached so many milestones and I’m sooo excited to carry that into the new year. Fun new things in the works!
q: Did you ever think of going to culinary school?
a: Nope! I actually think not going to culinary school has allowed me to think outside of the box and create recipes that are very unique to me. I don’t cook with any kind of guidelines or rules, I just cook what I love. And I choose a process that I find easiest/simplest…even if it’s not technically the “right” way to do it.
q: How did you get so many followers? No doubt you are talented, but still it is so hard.
a: This didn’t happen overnight. I’ve been working on HBH for almost 7 1/2 years. And I’ve worked pretty hard and consistently for all that time. I get this question a lot and the bottom line is that it takes so much work and a lot of dedication. You have to put in the hours. It’s not going to happen overnight. I’m grateful that my growth has been gradual. It’s allowed me to build an amazing community around HBH. You guys are all the best and always so kind!
q: How do you clean your cast iron?
a: I get this question so much. I literally just rinse it with warm water, then put it on the stove over low heat to dry (takes 2 minutes, but you can also wipe dry too). If I need to scrub anything off, I use soapy water with a gentle scrub pad like Scotch Brite. And that’s all I do, I don’t really stress about it, it’s pretty easy!
One Pot Spicy Pesto Cheese Baked Rigatoni…craving Italian, but also need something simple? Make this.
Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates…Sweet. Spicy. Cheesy. Salty. Highly addictive.
(snowy Christmas scenes)
(when Blake Lively made my Santa cookies…still cute and so fun!)
(dad)
(Asher)
(hand written recipe for Filipino Kare Kare from Hailey)
(Asher in her new Stuart Weitzman boots)
(Oslo)
(Asher)
(Asher + Hailey)
(the family)
(after Maggie and Tom got engaged)
(my favorite face cream that has changed my skin)
(candy cane bagels)
18 instant pot tips, tricks, and hacks…if you got an instant pot for Christmas, read this!
the 10 most anticipated books to read this winter…to cozy up with on a cold day.
9 Trader Joe’s products to add to your cart…all about that cheese.
5 Beauty Resolutions for 2020…love these, especially #3.
the best-designed hotels of 2020…i’d very happily (and excitedly) stay at all of these hotels.
best shimmer makeup for NYE…a little bit of glitter and fun to celebrate.
the 10 most expensive celebrity real estate transactions of 2019…if you’re into where the celebs are living.
3 meaningful ways to spend New Year’s Day…if you are looking to reset.
the absolute best sports bras for every workout…to help get you excited about working out this year.
the 5 biggest food trends of 2020…what’s exciting you this year in food?
25 New Year’s Eve appetizers for stressed-out hosts…these sound so good and easy.
10 ways to reduce food waste daily…love these easy tips/tricks.
63 last-minute New Year’s Eve appetizers…because you can never have too many appetizers.
Monday: best super easy penne…with a lot of garlic
Tuesday: Happy New Year’s Eve!
appetizer: spinach and artichoke stuffed soft pretzels
dinner: brown butter lobster ravioli with tomato cream sauce
salad: winter pomegranate salad with maple candied walnuts
Wednesday: super green sun-dried tomato herb salad with crispy chickpeas
Thursday: saucy 30 minute thai basil salmon curry
Friday: Indian coconut butter cauliflower
Finally, check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.
Tieghan,
1. Your food gets spicier and spicier. There are those of us who don’t like spicy foods, so could you please publish more less-spicy foods in 20020?
2. Also, there are MANY of us who choose not to, or can’t, drink alcohol, so could you please publish non-alcoholic adaptations of your gorgeous Saturday libations?
Truly, I am an adventurous eater, but your increasing bent toward spicy foods is killing me.
Thanks!
I am sorry about that! Yes, I will incorporate some less spicy foods and non alcoholic options! Thank you Cynthia! xTieghan
LOVE your recipes always. You mentioned people being tired of salads but not me. I’d love to see healthier recipes and salads that are the main meal for dinner. I think the only time I DON’T use one of your recipes is when it has too much cream or butter etc . It’s all about healthy eating for our crew and extended friend group that cook and eat together. We all follow you and love your recipes!
Awh that is so amazing! Thank you so much Susan! xTieghan
Thanks so much Tieghan for all your HARD work and sharing amazing recipes with us continually. Your site is such an inspiration to those of us who have a food blog. I love how “real” and authentic you are. I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated coming here day after day to find encouragement and motivation.
Thank you! This is so amazing to hear Linger! xTieghan
Thank you Tieghan for sharing your hard work and life with us. I’m impatient to see what you’ll be coming up with in 2020 even if I still have many many of your recipes to try out from the past years.
Yeah for the French desserts in the New Food trends 2020 ! Mousse au chocolat, Flan parisien, Tarte tatin… easy to make and so good!
Had a good laugh with Blake Lively’s cookies and I will order some of these books.
Happy New Year to you & your family, and waiting to hear about the new “addition” you mentioned at Christmas.
Thank you so much Anaïs! Happy New Year to you as well! xTieghan
I am really appreciating the meal plans and would love more – trying to be a better meal planner ☺️
Thank you
Thank you Jeanne! xTieghan
Any sheet pan chicken and vegetable dinners are the best. Yours are on repeat in our house and I’d gladly take more!
Thank you so much Meredith! That is so amazing to hear! xTieghan
With a diet planned for 2020, I feared I’d have to leave HBH behind. I’m delighted that you are featuring a healthy January. I’d love to see recipes for salads with a protein (for my main meal of the day) and soups (for the evening repast). My personal goal is to rethink of food as fuel and not a reward. With that said, I will reward myself weekly with one of your cocktail recipes. The Grinch has been in heavy rotation this holiday season.
Thank you! I am glad you are excited for healthy January! Also, if you go back to the posts of Jan for the last few years you will find healthy recipes as well! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan,
I have this long dialogue with you going in my head, but I will try to keep this ‘super simple’. You have absolutely nailed the sweet spot for recipe/lifestyle content ratio. I spend so much time with your Nine Favorite Things, I love this feature and always look forward to it. (Although it never fails to get me in to just a little bit of trouble $$$.) My hopes for HBH for 2020 are recipies for healthy, low fat/carb easy deliciousness. I would hate to see you change your focus too far away from the good food ideas we come to you for. Trends change so much and so fast, I hope that’s enough to keep you interested, productive and protected from burnout. Keep doing exactly what you are doing, we love it! <3 Shelley
Thank you so much Shelley! I cannot wait to share all of the recipes and I will incorporate this! xTieghan
Am new to your site and so far very much like it! Would love to see recipes with beans and seasonal vegetables….new spices used. Thank you.
Thank you so much Jackie! xTieghan
Good morning Tieghan! Wow! You guys have lots of snow! The grass is still green here and the temps have been in the high 40-50°F range. I’m sure that will come to an end shortly though. I was hoping you would show the painting Asher made you! She is so cute and really..she is a mini you..lol..Who is Oslo? I wonder if I missed a post? Cutie patootie! I always look forward to anything you send out. I laughed when I saw Blake Lively’s snowmen cookies..So funny! I guess for the new year, I would like to see more “dough” things. (Breads, etc! ) I enjoy your recipes. Also, more instant pot recipes, since you inspired me to buy one. (Haven’t used it yet!) I could use less of the cocktail recipes. Although pretty, too many ingredients for me. Anyways, ..just keep doing what you’re doing. That is just fine with me!
Thank you so much Colleen! I cannot wait to share all of the recipes with you guys in the new year! xTieghan
Even though it’s not Thanksgiving, I want to say I’m thankful for your recipe, they bring so much joy to my family!
BTW, Blake Lively’s stories about the cookies are hilarious.
Thank you so much Cristina! You are too kind! xTieghan
Love your Sunday posts!
Some cocktails I’ve not seen here before. Got to say you make a holiday drink so pretty. Your family Christmas photos are fab.
We don’t ‘diet’ in January, but cut down on sugar and up veg in meals. Cold January needs hot food, though side salads be good too. Xx
Thank you so much Kelly! I love that idea of January too! Have a wonderful New Year! xTieghan
I would love to see more of your new barn. I love the life post. Enjoy reading about your family.
You mentioned about a new little guest I think it was. You said more on that later.?????
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Charlotte! Thank you! xTieghan
Love seeing pictures of your family / good picture of your dad/ we need a picture of your mom. Happy New Year to you and your HBH team.
Thank you so much Debbie! xTieghan
I’m so grateful for you and the hard(but joyful) work you put into the amazing content on your blog. Your recipes are our go to all the time. Our family shares a love of creating wonderful meals and building memories during meals and your recipes have featured prominently in that.
More: inventive, attainable cuisine that you are so gifted at presenting, content about curbing food waste, building communities through hospitality and supporting local food producers-perhaps chronicle a visit to local food producers and create recipes highlighting those ingredients.
We also love your diy content, tablescapes etc. Maybe instagram is a good platform for those.
Have a bright and fabulous New Year!
This is so sweet and amazing to hear Kim! Thank you so much! I hope you continue to enjoy my blog and recipes! Have an amazing New Year! xTieghan