Nealey Dozier’s Favorite Posts of 2010

Wow! So much has happened in the food world in just one year. I subscribe to so many food blogs, newspapers, journals, and more, that it’s hard to keep track of it all. And managing my recipe bookmarks is almost a full time job. Luckily, there were some very memorable posts — from both The Kitchn and around the web — that inspired me, nourished me, and (most importantly!) fed me. Here’s a glimpse at some of my favorite things of 2010.

My Favorite Posts from The Kitchn

1. Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings – These chicken and dumplings are perhaps the best Southern recipe I have in my cooking arsenal. This dish has been tweaked and tasted to perfection, and I was so excited to get to share it with The Kitchn readers. Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I do!


2. Good Idea: Start a Food Lit or Cookbook Book Club – I bookmarked this article before moving to Atlanta last spring. I thought it would be a great idea to help me find like-minded friends (and eaters) in a new city. Of course, I forgot all about it, but now that the idea has been re-sparked I think I’ll get on it.


3. Cookbook Review & Recipe from Flour: Recipes from Boston’s Flour Bakery – I LOVE this cookbook! When I first received it, I read it from start to finish (novel style) in less than a day. Then I started adding sticky notes to all the recipes I wanted to make (too many to count). I started with the classic brownie recipe, and let me tell you, it is THE brownie recipe I will make from now on. Seriously delicious. I can’t wait to try the Pop Tarts and homemade Oreo Cookies next.


4. The Farmers’ Market: Helpful Hints and Etiquette Tips – I helped start a farmers market in my neighborhood this year, and boy was it a labor of love. This was no Santa Monica Farmers Market or Union Square Green Market, but a small group of dedicated growers and consumers committed to spreading the local food love. When I saw this article last summer, I wanted to print it and post it at our info booth. You’d be amazed at the lack of respect some people show to others (but not always on purpose). This is a great reminder of how to act.


5. On Working Together: Take a Deep Breath – This post from Leela really hit home for me. While I long to spend quiet evenings cooking romantic dinners with my boyfriend, I just get too cranky when we share the kitchen. Especially when he starts to question my process. Or even better when I hear those little words, “That’s not how my mom does it.” That’ll get a bag of flour thrown in your face really quick.

1. Football Sandwiches – (Full Disclosure: Dixie Caviar is my personal food blog beyond The Kitchn) These little ham and swiss sliders were my most popular post of the year. Great for tailgating, or for any time you need a quick and easy way to feed a crowd. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.


2. Roast Beef Po’ Boy – My boyfriend and I made the move from Los Angeles to Atlanta this year, and we ate our way across the country in the process. We spent a couple of delicious days in New Orleans, and by far the most memorable meal we had was the Roast Beef Po’ Boy at R & O’s. Hopefully this recipe will allow me to recreate that experience at home.


3. Sticky Toffee Cake – I had the pleasure of enjoying this cake from L.A.’s Westside Tavern on one very special occasion. It was hands down one of the best restaurant desserts I’ve ever had. When the LA Times recently published the recipe, I wept tears of joy.


4. Best Potato Latkes – I’m not Jewish, and the only thing I’m good at frying is chicken (and okra). So when looking for a festive latke recipe, I knew I found a keeper when I came across Amelia Saltman’s version over at Good Food. Not only is this one a winner, so are all of her recipes in The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook.


5. Cook the Book: Grasshopper Bars – To quote myself, “these are like Andes Mints on crack.” A fabulous pastry chef made this very recipe for me a few weeks back (what can I say? I’m a very lucky girl.), and I just keep coming back for more.

(Images: See linked posts for full image credits)