Twelve Favorites of 2011

It is hard to believe that another year has flown by!  I can't believe that it is almost 2012.  This time last year I swore off sugary foods.  In reviewing the posts, I lasted until the first of January when I posted an amazing and easy Black Forest Trifle.

There is a reason...isn't there always!  I was assigned dessert for our New Year's Eve dinner get-together.  After that I did make it to the end of the month before indulging....good thing swearing off sugar wasn't a resolution, I would have failed miserably.  Moving on....I want to share some of my favorites from 2011.

There was a wonderful Dutch Cheese Soup from last winter that I will need to make again.  It was delicious and perfect for a cold January.

Another winter favorite of mine was the Steak and Guinness Pie....so comforting!

And then...Cookies and Cream Cupcakes...cupcake oh cupcake you are so divine!

Seafood Gratin was a smash with the Gourmet Group.

And then...Individual "Little Fella Cheesecakes"!

As things warmed up, I discovered Rum, Date, and Pecan Ice Cream.  Yummy!

A variation of my usual Chicken Picatta was delicious!

I can't leave out my favorite salad of the year:   Crab, Mango and Avocado Towers!

I learned how to prepare scallops!  Scallops Provençal has become a regular part of our rotation!  They are delicious!

My favorite Sweet Mustard Shrimp Appetizer is made over and over...it is so delicious and a perfect do-ahead dish!

We do tend to eat a lot of seafood so I cannot let the year's favorites slip by without mentioning Salmon and Tomatoes in Papillote!  Perfection!

I wish all of you a blessed New Year!