Best of 2009

All in all, 2009 was a pretty good year for me. I traveled more than usual (three trips, including flying by myself!), I ate some spectacular meals out (Monarch, Niche, Taste, Acero, & Blackbird to name a few), I started writing for Sauce Magazine, & I got engaged. Plus, work has been less stressful this past semester, and I've made some great new friends...long live the Food Blog Mafia.

Here's a recap of my favorite posts & recipes throughout the year:

January - I started the year by making authentic lasagna bolognese. We celebrated Jerad's birthday with cheesecake. Later in the month I made wild duck taste good (which is not an easy task) in potstickers.

February - I made gumbo in honor of my Uncle Eric.

March - I discovered that I actually like anchovies!

April - Jerad & I took a trip to Kansas City (our weekend was all about food and drinks!). I got to be "chef for a day" at Monarch.

May - Jerad & I taught our first cooking class together. I roasted some farmers market radishes.

June - I made pate to take to Shakespeare in the park. I finally made it to Slow Food's Lambstravaganza dinner. I made a meal inspired by Hemingway's A Moveable Feast for Foodbuzz's "24, 24, 24" event.

July - The month started with a rant at Michael Ruhlman. I won a trip to LA & got to meet Julie Powell, then I wrote a guest post on Steamy Kitchen. I went to the BlogHer conference in Chicago (I made yummy espresso muffins for the roadtrip) & got a new tattoo there. I made Black Truffle Risotto. The roasted carrot dip recipe I posted was featured on Foodbuzz later in the year.

August - I wrote a post defending Julie Powell, and she left a comment!

September - I taught a cooking class featuring all lavender recipes. I cooked dove & pigeon for the first time.

October - I celebrated my birthday with dinner at Monarch's chef's table. I met chefs Herbert Keller & Rick Bayless.

November - I made Julia Child's Lobster Thermidor. I got engaged on Thanksgiving.

December - Stephanie & I made Momofuku's pork belly buns.