I’ve done one of these Christmas/End of Year post every year so I feel like I should continue this tradition. My only fear is that is seems a bit ‘click-baity’ but sure here we are.
2017 has seen some changes for me personally. I went part time at my admin job that I have been in for longer than I care to admit. I really wanted to get some work in a food business to get some experience and now work the rest of the week for a caterer. This job is really enjoyable and such a change of scene for me. As a result of this change I am way busier than I used to be and never seem to have a moment to myself. I’m not online as much as I used to be and can’t put as much work into the blog as I’d like, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing!
So enough about me, on with the recipes. I hope that some of this helps if you are stuck for inspiration for entertaining over the festive period.
On with the recipes…
Starting with the first meal of the day – breakfast. Possibly my favourite meal, I have plenty of ideas if you are in a brunching rut. This recipe for Mushrooms on Toast can be used for a light lunch too. My Crunchy Chocolate Granola is a healthier option for the days where you need something more wholesome. For a more indulgent treat, these Dutch Baby Pancakes are ideal. How good would these Potato and Onion Rosti be on Christmas morning, served with some smoked salmon and crème fraiche?
Again, I always recommend having a selection of recipes for soups and light bites. I also went ahead with my threat of doing a whole section of ‘Things on Toast’ which I often turn to for a light meal. This Prosciutto, Pear and Blue Cheese on Toast is a perfect example.
I love a good salad for a light meal or an option for work lunch. My personal favourite is this Thai Beef Salad pictured in the middle above. Other salads that featured this year were Smoked Paprika Chicken Salad, Blood Orange and Grapefruit Salad, Beetroot Feta and Chickpea Salad, Mexican Sweet Potato and Black Bean Salad, Burrata with Cherries and Pistachio Pesto, Spring Vegetable Pasta Salad and my Mediterranean Pasta Salad, Melon Tomato and Feta Salad and this Strawberry Goats’ Cheese and Pancetta Salad.
For more light bites have a look at these delicious Korean Chicken Wings. The Masala Fries with Mango, Salsa and Raita are great for something a bit different. The Pico de Gallo is great with nachos, the Sweet Potato Salad above or my Fajitas below. I have an Caramelised Onion Tarte Tatin and Veggie Rice Paper Rolls also known as Summer Rolls. However I have to say I can never bypass fried cheese on a menu and these Halloumi Fries and Deep Fried Brie with Raspberry Sauce are no exception. 
I published a few of my favourite and much loved dinner recipes this year. They include my Chicken Chasseur on the bottom left above. I’ve also included Thai Fried Rice, Chicken with Creamy Sundried Tomato Sauce, and while there aren’t many seafood recipes on this blog I do love this Crab Ravioli with Lemon Butter Sauce and Soy and Honey Glazed Salmon. 
One of my absolute favourite recipes is for these Chicken Fajitas. More great dinner ideas are for Korean Stir-Fried Beef Bulgogi, Caprese Stuffed Chicken, Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy, Chicken Shawarma and this Beef Massaman Curry can be made with chicken, lamb or as a vegetarian dish.
I didn’t post as many vegetarian recipes as I would normally like for some reason this year. A lot of the recipes can be made vegetarian, for instance with this Mac and Cheese leave out the bacon and make sure these cheese you use are veggie friendly. However, this Whole Roast Cauliflower with Spiced Yogurt and Falafel are definitely veggie friendly. 
My love affair with chocolate continues to grow. And I’ve finally shared the recipe for My Favourite Chocolate Cake. This Chocolate Truffle Cake is not too shabby either. In the Summer months you might like to try my Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches or Easy Strawberry and Chocolate Tart.
For other non chocolate sweet treats have a look at my Rhubarb and Blood Orange Syllabub, Orange Panna Cotta with Blackberry Sauce and Mini Meringues, Apple Tarte Tatin and Cherry and Peach Galette. For Christmas Day I think this Pomegranate and Raspberry Trifle would be a real show stopper!
4 thoughts on “End of Year Post 2017”
Blogs really are work! We’re our own bosses, but still sometimes it seems like a job, at least to do it right, which involves reading other blogs as well. Still, mine satisfies my passions, so I’ll not be stopping soon. Sorry you’re so busy, though. That’s never a good thing to not have time for yourself. I’m still a huge fan of yours, and all of these pretty food pictures prove how good you are at cooking. I hope you can break into catering. I enjoyed my years as a caterer, and it was another creative outlet for me, as well as a source of income.
Thank you so much Mimi for your kind words and your constant support. I took a total break from the blog over Christmas, hence my shamefully late reply! I do plan to put more time in again now. I am really enjoying my time working in catering, we’ll just have to see what the future holds.
I hope you had a lovely time over Christmas!
Love this Donna, enjoy reading it every year and salivating over all of your gorgeous recipes.
This was the year you got me to like Halloumi too! I gave it ago again after one of your recipes (possibly the fries which I haven’t made yet….baby steps!) I’ve been cooking it very very simply (lashing it onto a dry pan simply 😉 ) Sure most of us love the stuff now – so on behalf of the halloumi lovers round mine, thank you!
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and look forward to many food chats again next year xx
Thank you Nicola! That’s such a lovely comment. Apologies for my late reply, I’ve stayed off the blog for the last couple of weeks. I’m so glad you like halloumi now. I have to say I really love it and dry frying it really is the best way to cook it.
I hope you and your gorgeous family had a lovely Christmas xx