I learned so much this year!
I learned how to make and maintain sourdough starter, and how to bake with it. It smells divine and bakes delicious bread.
After a lifetime of merely steaming asparagus, I learned different ways to cook it. Who knew it could share the plate and still be magnificent? Everyone but yours truly, apparently.
I learned that rhubarb is every bit as yummy in savory dishes as it is in a pie.
I learned to like zucchini. Never thought I’d say that, to be honest. I didn’t hate it before, I just didn’t much care for it. But then. Then I found a few recipes, got inspired, and invented a couple more. Now I love the stuff! Oh, and I also learned that some people call them courgettes. I love words as much as I love food.
I learned how to can. I haven’t posted about it yet, but I will – I promise. Sadly, I’ve also learned that there are far too many bloggers out there who use unsafe canning practices. So I also promise to only post about tested, safe recipes, and to include references so people can check it out themselves if they like. I’ve done some water bath canning (tomato sauce, cranberry sauce, orange marmalade, red pepper jelly) and some pressure canning (chicken broth, vegetable broth, and beans.) I can’t wait for strawberry season so I can try my hand at jam!
I learned a little geography. People from 100 countries visited my blog this year! That’s both exciting and incredibly humbling. I thank each and every one of you, whether you’re in my town or Cameroon, or anywhere else in the world. I hope you find something fun or useful, and I wish you all the happiest of New Years.
The ten most viewed 2018 posts:
1.) Tuna Salad
2.) Perfectly Cooked Bacon for a Crowd
3.) Off-the-Hook Homemade Jalapeño Hot Sauce
4.) My Favorite Pork Roast
5.) Beet Greens With Garlic & Sage
6.) Margarita Chicken
7.) Moroccan Chicken With Couscous
8.) Balsamic Beets With Broccolini
9.) Alder-Planked Fluke With Bold Spice Rub
10.) That Broccoli Thing
And, just for fun, ten of my favorites of 2018 (alphabetically):
Baked Salmon With Gingered Rhubarb
Black & Bleu Meatloaf
Cedar-Wrapped Asparagus With Carrots
Chicken Tabbouleh
Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
Cornmeal-Crusted Scallops with Mint Chimichurri & Couscous Pilaf
Halibut, Asparagus, & Potatoes With Cherry Tomato Salsa
Oregano Pork Chops With Zucchini & Caramelized Onions
Shrimpagus
Vindaloo
julienne.red 
nice plan of learning.
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Thanks! We are never too old to learn 😊
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Congratulations on your success. Thank you for sharing. Love thisblog with all the things you learned. Look forward to this year’s recipes and stoiries
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Thanks, Linda, and Happy New Year! I appreciate your stopping by 😊
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Looking forward to more of your recipes in 2019! ❤
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Thanks!
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Seems 2018 was great for both of us when it comes to learning new things. Hope 2019 will be as good for both of us, too ❤
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Me, too! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
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Beautiful message, and the recipes look all delicious! I have marked #3 Hot sauce and #7 Couscous to try early in the new year. Happy New Year!
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I’d love to hear how they work out for you; I hope you love them as much as I do. Happy New Year to you, too!
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All looks delicious! Looking forward to your posts about canning. I haven’t done it in years.
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Thanks!
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