Happy new year and guten Rutsch!
New Years Eve in Germany is a crazy Business. You’ll never see so many fireworks at one time. Everyone is shooting them off in the middle of every street until it’s so smoky that you can’t even see them anymore. Fun stuff.
2016 has probably been the coolest year of my life so far. Samuel and I celebrated our first anniversary. We found ourselves wandering into little chub into our life in October. Being parents has changed our lives in the best way. We love the little dude.
I’m not sure what exactly 2017 has in store, but Frieda did read the chubster’s palms and told me in her rolling Russian accent that he was healthy and his future is looking good, so I’m feeling optimistic.
Next month we will be moving away from our beloved Berlin (sob) to return to the old motherland (‘MURICA!). I’ll just leave you in suspense on exactly where we’re moving for now.
We want to make one last trip here in Europe before we leave. Please, world travelers, tell me your favorite (and preferably less expensive) European trips!!!
The Top 10 Recipes of 2016
10. Spice Rubbed Salmon with Mango Salsa
This was an idea we copied from when we were eating out on our honeymoon (where are all the heart emojis when you need them??). It’s pretty awesome and we’ve made it about a billion times since then, so it’s no wonder it made the list for the most viewed recipes this year.
9. Best Basic Burritos
Now these I’ve made more than a billion times. Every single time I ask Samuel what he wants for dinner, this is the answer. It’s kind of obvious why. They’re simply the best. Samuel’s recipe for the homemade tortillas is coming soon.
8. One Pan Balsamic Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
This recipe has really come in handy since Mr. Chub was born. He went through a phase where he needed to be held pretty much constantly and acted like a big baby every time I tried to make dinner, so I would just make this chicken because it’s so ridiculously fast and easy. Even now that he’s all mature and can entertain himself in his bouncy chair for extended amounts of time, I still pop this in the panggangan pretty often.
7. Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese
This was simply amazing. Who would say no to this bubbling pan of spicy goodness? I remember writing this post frantically at a McDonald’s last summer with Samuel impatiently tapping his foot at our last stop before being internetless in the wilderness for a month. I was eating a chocolate sundae, because you just can’t go and use somebody’s internet without buying something, can you???
6. Strawberry Yogurt Muffins
I gotta give chub credit for this one’s popularity. This was when I announced I was pregnant. Seems like a million years ago. Also, hey! Strawberry yogurt muffins! Yum!
5. Sourdough Dark Chocolate Chunk Bread Pudding
Okay, when I was looking up what my most popular posts were this year, I was totally shocked that this one made the list. I never thought of it because I don’t even think it actually got eaten, simply because we were too lazy to warm it up again in the microwave (plus I can’t eat it anyway because it’s loaded with gluten), so I think I ended up throwing most of it in the trash covered in mold, sadly. It happens even to the best! But since it’s the only glimpse I gave you of Samuel’s amazing sourdough bread on the blog, I guess it’s obvious why it was so popular. Plus… vanilla cream sauce. Need I say more?
4. 4 Ingredient Chocolate Mousse Pie
Quick, easy, pretty, and delicious. I remember passing a few slices out the window when I was done photographing it as Samuel and our neighbor sat just outside chatting in German about American football.
3. Samuel’s Salted Caramel Peanut Brownie Bombs
This creation of Samuel’s made #3! I do love a man who can bake. Look at that caramel!
2. Bacon Brie and Apricot Grilled Cheese
Ah yes, the strange pregnancy cravings. This one sure was pretty. I’m definitely gonna miss buying a wedge of brie cheese for a buck here in Germany.
1. Flourless Marshmallow Crunch Brownies
And finally, the most popular recipe of the year! I remember I gave our friend a few of these brownies to eat on his way home on the train. A random lady saw him eating it and asked him where he bought it.
“A friend baked them,” he explained.
“Can I have a piece?” she asked, not seeming to care that it was half eaten.
“Um.. sure.”
As soon as she tasted it she started dancing around in joy and asking what was in it and how it was made. Our friend said he had no idea, but he showed her my Facebook page where she could find the recipe. She thanked him and stowed the last bite of the brownie in her purse to share with her husband and son back at home. That’s how awesome these brownies are.
