I was planning to make my last post of the year about the dessert I would throw together for NYE festivities this evening. But, after much page flipping through cookbooks and digging into my own baking notebooks, I decided to go with a well received favorite that I’ve posted about recently. Instead, since 2008 is approaching a bittersweet end, I thought I would take this opportunity to feature some of my favorite things about 2008- not only food related but things that I liked, appreciated and will remember about this year.
Since it’s New Years Eve and I’m busy baking at the moment, I’ll start with listing a few of my favorite go-to desserts of 2008.
1. Melt in Your Mouth Chocolate Cake – Recipe from Chocolate and Zucchini
This is definitely one of my favorite desserts to make in a pinch and it’s also what I’m making for a gathering this evening! Not only is it over the top delicious but it’s simple, quick to pull together and is always a hit. I’ve made it three times already in three months this year. Once au natural, another time with raspberries and yet another time with the addition of toasted hazelnuts, thanks to a lovely idea from Jo at Food Junkie-Not Junk Food. Thanks again to Cleotilde at Chocolate and Zuchinni for sharing a such a great recipe.
2. Apple Cake – Recipe adapted from Simply Recipes
Pure. Delicious. Simplicity. A perfect bite of fresh apple flavor along with a bit of moist cake. It’s a great breakast treat or snack anytime you want something a little sweet yet not too decadent. Here’s my original post on this great cake. Thanks to Elise at Simply Recipes for sharing this delicious recipe along with so many other amazing creations.
3. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
I love fresh fruit desserts, especially those with any or all variations of berries. Chocolate dipped strawberries are a perfect elegant finish to any meal or celebration any time of year. A perfect choice to pair with your New Year’s Eve champagne!
And just for fun….
Some favorite films of this year:
Milk
Waltz With Bashir
Slumdog Millionaire
Man On Wire
Surfwise
Joy Division
No Country For Old Men
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Favorite live music show of 2008…
The Swell Season at the Paramount Theater, Oakland Ca.
Favorite book read in 2008:
The Artists Way
Favorite Cookbooks Used in 2008:
Baked: New Frontiers in Baking -Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito
The Sweet Life – Kate Zuckerman
How To Cook Everything – Mark Bittman
Fresh Food Fast- Peter Berley
The Flexitarian Table- Peter Berley
The Moosewood Cookbook – Mollie Katzen
The Spice Merchant’s Daughter- Christina Arokiasamy
The Sweet Melissa Baking Book- Melissa Murphey
And finally….
My favorite place of 2008
Just beyond the Golden Gate Bridge is a colorful and picturesque landscape. The Marin Headlands are home to some of the most beautiful sights in the world, I think. The ocean, the sky, the mountains- all incredibly breathtaking and surreal. I will leave you with some shots of the headlands taken the day after Christmas.
Wishing everyone a new year filled with peace, hope, happiness and new beginnings!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for the nice words! The Marin Headlands definitely are gorgeous.
Beautiful Pictures! And I love all your favorites. Wish I was in the Marin Headlands enjoying a piece of chocolate cake…
Dave,
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Lita,
Thank you! I hope you have a great year to come as well!
I always enjoy reading your posts. The photographs are gorgeous and breathtaking. I have tasted some of the recipes you mentioned and some I actually tried making myself. I am not one for baking, but I do have to admit that some of the recipes were very easy. Here’s hoping that the new year brings you joy, luck, good health and happiness.
Your photos are absolutely gorgeous! =)