2010 has been a great year for Everyday Southwest. We celebrated our first birthday, met fun new foodie friends, attended two blogger conventions, became contributers to several publications… just to name a few of the adventures we’ve taken this year. But, we couldn’t have made it with out you! So, we thought it would be fun to put together a list of the top ten recipes most requested by … you!
#1- Sweet Potato Flan with Toasted Spiced Hazelnuts– This beautiful, savory flan is Everyday Southwest’s most requested recipe for 2010. The spicy, toasted hazelnuts add the perfect crunch to this light and creamy first course.
#2- Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon, Molasses and Pecan Granola Topping These sweet potatoes are all grown up with the rich, deep flavors of bourbon and molasses. With the crunchy pecan granola, you won’t even miss the marshmallows!
#3- Aji Panca Chile Rubbed Pork Tenderloin with Porcini “Tamale” and Sweet Potato Haystack– This signature dish brought top ten honors in the 2010 Iron Foodie Challenge hosted by Marx Foods and The Foodie Blogroll. This really is “Southwest Fine Dining” and can be served at the most formal occasions. But, don’t let that scare you. The Porcini “Tamales” (which can be served without the corn husk) are quick and easy and the Smoked Sea Salt Sweet Potato Haystacks are addicting. And that sauce!
#4- Roasted Tomatillo Chicken Enchilada Casserole (a video debut!) This enchilada casserole was part of our very first post in 2008. It was updated with Cacique brand Queso Quesadilla to add a nutty, buttery flavor. It is so delicious, it is featured in Everyday Southwest’s very first video!
#5- Mini Apple Chimichangas with Carmel Whipped Cream– These little beauties surged to the top immediately. Who wouldn’t love the crispy, fried, flour tortillas, the brown sugar carmel apple filling and the whipped cream topping? They’re one of our family favorites.
#6- Southwest Tilapia with Calabacitas and Green Chile Rice– a light and healthy recipe that has been a steady favorite all year long. A new foodie friend made it for his fiance and told us she loved it! I hope we get an invitation to their wedding!
#7- Green Chile Potato Gratin and Green Beans with Warm Bacon Dressing– Proof that Southwest cooking can be fancy enough for any holiday table.
#8- Roasted Vegetable Sandwich with Chipotle Mayonnaise- Wow! This has to be the biggest surprise of the bunch! This “so easy it’s embarrassing” Chipotle Mayonnaise was the most requested recipe for most of the year (I’m hoping the roasted veggie sandwich helped)! It was edged out at the last minute by holiday and sweet potato recipes. Who knew?!
#9- Crispy Crepe Recipe with Savory Southwest Fillings– Also a big surprise. These were one of the top requested recipes from the time they were posted. “Crepes?” you say, “On a Southwest Blog?” Yes! When they are crispy and filled with chile marinated steak or your favorite fajitas.
#10- Southwest Sweet Potato Chowder-A Slow Cooker Recipe- This is an easy, nutritious dish with a southwest kick that simmers all day in your slow cooker and makes your house smell like home.
And yes, sweet potatoes have been very, very good to us in 2010!
I can’t wait to see what adventures are in store for 2011!
-posted by Sandy
NOTE BY DONNA: Looking back, this has been a fabulous year full of southwest flavors. I have learned so much from co-blogger Sandy – I’m lucky to have her for a sister! Thanks, Sandy, for your hard work, dedication and – importantly – your culinary talent and creativity. I’m so looking forward to 2011! Cheers! — Donna
Sandy is a former elementary educator whose love for cooking has gone out of control. She has completed a degree in culinary arts and is now a food writer, photographer, cookbook author and co-creator of the popular website Everyday Southwest. 
Sounds like your readers sure do like sweet potatoes! I love everything on the list and can’t wait to try out those chimichangas!!
Peggy- Do try those mini chimichangas. My grown son loves them and says he’s eaten so many that they must be part of his DNA by now.
I’m not surprised those crispy crepes made it onto your list- they look INSANE! I haven’t eaten breakfast and I might just have to whip out my crepe pan and get started right now on my own batch. I use a convex crepe pan, courtesy of Nordic Ware (the only place I’ve seen the hand held versions) for my crepes, which makes them a lot less ‘skillful’ to make, but much quicker!
Good Soup – Thanks! – Can’t wait to try your dulce de leche!
As a transplanted South Westerner living in the South East, I can appreciate the food and ingredients. It reminds me of home. Looking forward to more.
We are so excited to know a firehouse chef! Please try some of our recipes and come back and let us know what you think. Cheers!
I checked out your video… loved it! Very professional production quality. I’d love to link to them if that’s ok.
Thanks for the roundup of favorite recipes, though your site contains so many more tasty recipes. Your photography is an inspiration – and a challenge to improve my own food shots. Happy 2011.
Thanks Seattle Dee! It was really fun to see which recipes were the most popular this year. The photography is an on going learning process. Have a great new year!
Wow! This is a wonderful roundup! Stunning pictures! We don’t have sweet potato here, and you made me so curious about it now! It is sweeter than regular potato, right? I am especially tempted by Southwest Sweet Potato Chowder, looks so hearty!
Zerrin, Yes, sweet potatoes are sweeter and creamier than regular potatoes. They are a traditional holiday dish but are eaten all year round. Sweet potato French fries are my favorite way to eat them.