Top 5 Recipes of 2022

Hello and welcome! Today I have the Top 5 Recipes of 2022. These are the most visited recipes on Djalali Cooks from January to December 2022. A few of these made the list last year too, which tells me that some recipes are classics that will never lose their appeal. Interestingly, again this year, the Persian Rice Dish, Tahdig is at the top of the list. Let’s see what else y’all loved the best this year!

Tahdig (Persian Rice) in the Always Pan

I have talked a bit about the Always Pan and I just received the Noosh-e-Joon Platter, a shallow ceramic platter that has handles on both sides. Our Place sells it as an Always Pan accessory. The platter comes with a Damkoni, which is a cotton “pocket” that fits over the lid to absorb moisture to get perfectly cooked rice with a crispy bottom. It also came with a small bottle of saffron and a recipe for Tahdig. So that’s what we are making today: Farah and Sophia’s Tahdig Polo, courtesy of Our Place and the Always Pan.

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Smoked Meatloaf and Cauliflower Mashies

This meal has been on my mind for a few weeks now and now I know why. This meatloaf is the best meatloaf I have ever had. Every time I have been to a barbecue joint that has meatloaf on the menu, I always think, “Yeah, right. Meatloaf. I am here for the ribs, or the pulled pork. Not something I can make easily at home.” Well, shame on me because it’s taken me 40+ years to realize that smoked meatloaf is something unto itself; separate from the rest. A revelation.

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Spanakopita Pasta Bake

I spent a little time watching the local public television channel when we were on Tybee Island, and I came across My Greek Table, a show hosted by Diane Kochilas from Maryland public Broadcasting. I really enjoyed her cooking style; she made classic Greek dishes look simple and amazing. In one of the episodes I saw, she did a Spanakopita Mac and Cheese. Well, I had to try this. Today’s recipe is a little different, it’s a recipe I found on the NY Times Cooking site, but the idea is the same. Today we have a Spanakopita Pasta Bake.

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Hot Honey Chicken

Today we have a Hot Honey Chicken that gets me a little closer in my quest for recreating my favorite Honey Chili Chicken; a dish that I have been missing for several years. Chef Gia’s was a Hunan restaurant in San Francisco’s Chinatown. I frequented Gia’s for 17 years. Every time I moved from The City, I missed Gia’s most of all. And every time I moved back to SF, it was the first place I went. This dish is similar only in flavor, but for me it’s a step closer to my beloved Honey Chili Chicken. So let’s make Hot Honey Chicken!

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My Take on The Southern Tomato Sandwich

Today, I have another recipe that puts the tomato at center stage. As luck would have it, my tomato plants set a ton of fruit this year and a whole bushel of tomatoes are ready at the same moment. After a sad showing of tomatoes last summer, I did a bunch of research for this summer’s growing season and it’s been quite rewarding to see that effort payoff. A Tomato Sandwich is a very simple sandwich, but this recipe is so much more than a few slices of tomato on bread with mayo. I took a big detour with this recipe and instead of the classic white sandwich bread, I used sourdough focaccia I made and froze back in the wintertime. A departure from the classic Southern Tomato Sandwich, but no less delicious!

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Thank you so much for joining me today for the Top 5 Recipes of 2022! Have you made any of these recipes? If so, which was your favorite? Or was your favorite left off this list? Let me know in the comments below. Take care and be well, xo Kelly

My Most Used Kitchen Utensils of 2022

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