2012 was a wonderful year at The Kitchn — thanks in great part to you, our readers, who contribute such thoughtful and enthusiastic comments, sharing what you're cooking and learning in the kitchen week in and week out. We're always eager to find out what our readers are cooking and eating — so here's a look back at our readers' stand-out favorites from the past year. There were new favorites, like freezing herbs in olive oil — and some updated classics, like lessons in cooking salmon and quinoa — on the list. Read on for the Big 10 — our top 10 most popular posts of 2012! More

Popular posts just this past month of December included a crazy-good eggnog loaf cake, and gift guides for all sorts of people — coffee-lovers, new cooks, and the budget-conscious giver. We rounded up some favorite cookbooks of 2012, shared our best cookie recipes — and more! More

Whether or not you clean as you go, everyone needs to clean the kitchen at some point. From how to get rid of fish odors to how to repel house flies, from how to remove red wine stains to how to care for a wood table, here are our best tips to get you motivated and make the whole task easier. More

Christmas is over and New Year's is upon us, but there are plenty of opportunities still to send friends and loved ones a warm treat from the kitchen. Here are 10 treats from the last couple of months — soft caramel candies, homemade kombucha kits, easy chocolate fudge, and more... More

The end of December is the perfect time to take a long look around your kitchen and decide how you can make it a cleaner, better-organized, happier place to cook in the year ahead. To give you a little help, here are the best cleaning and kitchen organization tips we shared in 2012, including the proper way to use your refrigerator's humidity drawers, a smart way to store olive oil, a surprising use for address books, and the "one soapy sponge" trick to motivate even those who hate washing dishes to tackle the dreaded task. More

Our readers' favorite posts in November included a detail cooking lesson making simply the best mashed potatoes you've ever had, and a collection of essential Thanksgiving recipes. We toured Deb of Smitten Kitchen's very own home kitchen (a little rental in NYC!). Read on to see more of our favorites from November 2012... More

Shopping for kitchen fittings can be overwhelming. Do you want an undermount or a drop-in kitchen sink? Stainless steel or cast iron? Our guides to basic faucet, sink, and range hoods will give you a quick overview of the various styles and designs, so you'll know what you want and what to look for when you start sourcing for your kitchen. More

If you're looking for a little guidance or inspiration for your party planning, take a look at our 15 best entertaining and party tips from the past year. There are guides to throwing all types of parties — from a summer crêpe party to an awesome ice cream party — advice on managing your time on party day, and one essential tip for setting up a buffet. Read on and get ready to host your best gathering yet! More

Cooking for one? We know that it takes a little extra creativity and motivation sometimes to create a tasty dinner just for yourself. Take heart with our tips and recipes for the solo cook, including how to get your cooking mojo back, tips for a better solo lunch, and thoughts on the perfect dinner for one. More

Got the baking bug? We spent a whole week talking about baking this past November, and here are some of our favorite posts from that week. We gave you some good tips on working with yeast, and the surprising secret to the best cinnamon rolls ever! There was a tutorial for making tarte Tatin, and some ideas for budget-friendly baking... More