One year ago today I wrote the first blog post on this blog. To say it was a hasty decision would be an understatement. 2 days before I decided I was bored and tired of my old blog—that it just didn’t have the right direction or focus I wanted. In class I scribbled down on a piece of paper everything starting a new blog entails: A name, a design, a facebook page, business cards, even what I would change my twitter handle to. The next 48 hours I worked tirelessly making all of that a reality, buying the domain name and throwing together a header for a simple format, and starting writing.

After a year, not much has changed. And I’m glad about that. The header looks different, and my writing and photos(I hope) have both gotten better. But I still feel as passionate and determined on the focus of this blog as I did on day one. It’s made me try new things, as big as working at a restaurant for 3 months to little things like trying to make authentic macarons(which were a huge fail between you and me), and for all of that I am grateful.

I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate one year than looking back at what are my 10 favorite recipes, the ones that I still go to bed thinking about and end up making time and time again. I wouldn’t be surprised if in another year these are still favorites of mine. Maybe looking at these you’ll find a favorite, too.

Cheesy Rosemary Flatbread—For something that I made without cheese or gluten, these are incredibly tasty.

Microwave Fudge—What’s more dangerous than knowing you can make fudge in your own microwave?

Burnt Caramel Sweet Potato Mash—This one never really caught on, and I can’t imagine why. It takes mashed potatoes to a whole different level.

Almond Flour Brownies—The perfect gluten-free/grain-free brownie recipe in my mind. It’s the one I go to first above all.

Vegged-Out Quinoa—If you think you don’t like quinoa, this just might be the recipe to change your mind.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars—The name says it all with these. And just 4 ingredients, too!

Caramelized Onion and Balsamic Vinegar Bean Salad—Bean salad is never the hit of a party, but I think this recipe is an exception.

Raw Vegan Hazelnut Chocolate Cake—Easily my most popular recipe ever.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Dessert Hummus—Another recipe whose popularity astounds me. One taste and you’ll understand why, though. It’s deceptively healthy for something so delicious.

Flourless Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Fudge Sauce—Technically only the sauce is my recipe, and the cake is Godiva’s. It was a good enough cake to make for my birthday last year and it will be good enough to make again this year.

Saturday morning I was a ball of energy. I was excited to be home and have the sun out. I strapped up my laces and ran for 15 miles down back roads, past schools, up hills and through neighborhoods. And I felt really good, too! Until that afternoon when I hit the wall. Hard.

I didn’t feel like cooking. I felt like sitting on the couch and watching Tivoed Food Network pretending they were cooking for me. But then I remembered these two recipes and how easy they were. After 30 minutes in the kitchen I had dinner and dessert; who could say no to that?

Caramelized Onion and Balsamic Vinegar Bean Salad: I think the name says it all. If you like onions you will love this, and I do. The recipe makes a lot so I’ve been eating the leftovers for the past two days and it only gets better.

Espresso Chocolate Bark: I really love chocolate covered espresso beans. This is the closest way I’ve found to make them at home that’s also easy. There’s nothing better than a dessert with a buzz.

So there you go. Don’t let a long day keep you from eating well. Good food is only 10 minutes away.

Balsamic Brussel Sprouts with Red Wine

Cheesy Rosemary Flatbread

Italian Quinoa with Fava Beans

Cannellini Salad with Artichokes and Sundried Tomatoes

Espresso Chocolate Bark

Someone pass me a cannoli.

This is why you should invite me to your parties.

This is also why I will never succeed on any diet, but that’s another story.

Like any good Classicists, some friends and I got together on St. Patty’s Day to celebrate The Ides of March since green beer and jello shots clearly weren’t in our future. I offered to bring the entertainment(HBO’s Rome. Horribly inaccurate but highly entertaining) and a slew of baked goods. 

Outrageous Triple Chocolate Brownies, which got a “really chocolaty” vote for itself.

Better-Than-Boxed Brownies, which got a few nibbles.

And Coconut Blondies with Lemon Drop Frosting, which definitely had the most crowd appeal.

Lucky for me it’s not hard to please people who live off cafeteria food. After the show we sat around talking, eating brownies, and translating Latin. I know—we’re a wild bunch.

My point? Invite me to your parties and I promise to bring enough food to feed an army. And if it’s a toga party, well I’m already dressed for that.

On Wednesday when I was wasting my time on perusing Twitter, I came across this article on the real last suppers death row inmates chose. I thought it was a fascinating look inside the inmates mind. I was surprised with some(like the smoker. What kind of meal is that?) and sympathized with others(I mean, who doesn’t want to sit down to a burger, fries, and a milkshake?). And then I started asking myself the very same question: What would my last meal be?

My initial reaction was that I’d eat all the things with gluten I can’t but crave—Dunkin’ Donuts lemon filled powder donuts, Boston Market mac n’ cheese, and a big chewy chocolate chip cookie. But after thinking about it I realized I don’t want to go out of this world gassy and bloated; I’ll take my vanity to the grave.

So then I thought I’d eat a really good Holiday meal with food like the best quinoa dressing, whole roasted chicken, and fingerling potatoes.

Who am I kidding? That’d be a great healthy meal to eat before a race, but it’s no last meal. I don’t have a sweet tooth; I have 26. So I’d more likely have to order a dessert platter.

Oh Baby bars so that I could die fat an happy.

Taza chocolate. Like I said, I can’t resist it.

Godiva’s flourless chocolate cake. I’m still in awe of how good this was, even better than my version. Those little bastards.

And a pan of these brownies, which are sinfully good(recipe coming later this week!).

That’s more like it. Can you see a theme?

What would you want for your last meal? Feel free to share recipes!