Our Food Editors' Favorite Recipes of 2016
They've baked hundreds of cookies, sampled meatballs and burgers galore, made showstopping cakes, sophisticated drinks, and simple starters. They've tested recipes easy and advanced. That's what our food editors do in the test kitchen in the course of a year of recipe development. After all that cooking, what are the standout recipes from 2016 that our test kitchen editors are going to make again and again?
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They've baked hundreds of cookies, sampled meatballs and burgers galore, made showstopping cakes, sophisticated drinks, and simple starters. They've tested recipes easy and advanced. That's what our food editors do in the test kitchen in the course of a year of recipe development. After all that cooking, what are the standout recipes from 2016 that our test kitchen editors are going to make again and again?
Jewish-Deli Strata
Why does food and entertaining director Sarah Carey love this recipe so? Her reasons are three-fold: "It's a make-ahead breakfast. For a crowd. With the flavors of my childhood!
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Breakfast Egg-and-Cheese Muffins
These muffins are the "perfect breakfast item when you have guests (and extra hands) in the kitchen for the holidays." says food editor Shira Bocar. "Loved ones can peel the eggs while you get everything else prepared."
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Red-Jam and Cheese Danish
If you never did you should, make this delectable Danish that is. Sarah says it's "10x better that store-bought."
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So long breakfast, we're on to appetizers; "There is nothing wrong with an old-fashioned caramelized onion dip" asserts associate food editor Laura Rege. "But I like to think of this as a sophisticated upgrade. The time it takes to caramelize the onions and fennel is worth every bite. I’ve served it at parties and it is the first thing to go. It's now a mainstay in my dip repertoire."
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Corn Vichyssoise
"Is there anything that screams “summer” more than fresh sweet corn?" asks Lindsay Strand our resident recipe tester. "Simply simmer cobs with leeks, celery, and potato, then blend until it’s silky smooth. It's like having the season in your bowl."
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Melon and Cucumber Salad
Shira's pick for salad of the year is this, her "summer go-to appetizer. Perfect with manchego and a crisp glass of rosé."
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For all you salmon lovers, Shira recommends this entree as a "fool proof way to get perfectly grilled fish and crisp skin."
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Pan-Fried Salmon Cakes
"Cheap, easy, healthy AND delicious." That's quite an endorsement from associate food editor Lauryn Tyrell and with good reason. These salmon cakes are "so simple to throw together and I love the salty edge you get from pretzels rather than the usual breadcrumbs. Plus, canned wild salmon is an underutilized resource that’s loaded with omega 3s and calcium."
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Like the rest of us, Sarah "loves anything in one pot and this chicken braised with mushrooms and egg noodles hits the spot every time."
Can't get enough of one-pot cooking? Try our other one-pan chicken recipes and be sure to order our "One Pot" book.
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Tandoori Fried Chicken
Another favorite chicken recipe, Lauryn says this one is "is truly next level. The marinade is so flavorful, the yogurt really helps tenderize the meat." And, our expert advises: " Don't miss the accompaniments. The cool cucumber spears and red onion/herb salad are the perfect fresh accompaniment for the crispy fried thighs."
Get our other recipes with yogurt.
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Roast Beef with Shallots
"This is the gift that keeps on giving," says Lindsay. "The roast beef sandwiches smothered in horseradish sauce you’ll make the next day are almost better than the roast itself."
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Spiced Meatballs with Yogurt Sauce
A winner, winner meatball dinner beloved by both Shira, who considers it "a cozy grain bowl," and Laura who calls it "comfort food," adding the "velvety yogurt sauce is rich and delicious and I love the Turkish spices in the meatballs." (Shira says these meatballs are also delicious for breakfast.)
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Hibiscus-Ginger Spritz
Without a doubt the spritz was the drink of the year. Lauryn recommends this one "both with and without booze." And don't think it's just for the summer, "the festive color and hint of cinnamon would make it a good winter cocktail too, she says, "perhaps with a silver tequila in place of the rum."
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Texas Sheet Cake
Shira says this the perfect cake: "It has a tender crumb and frosting that forms a satisfying, crisp shell when it sets." In fact it's so good: "This is the one time I allow nuts on a baked good." Oh and it feeds a crowd. It's definitely a crowd pleaser, this recipe features in our most popular recipes of 2016.
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Chewy Brownies
It's quite simple says Sarah "Brownies are the best, and this one is chewy and fudgy all at once."
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Deep-Dish Pumpkin Icebox Pie
We hope you made this for Thanksgiving because Shira calls it "a dream of a dessert." And that's "not just because it uses a quart of heavy cream." This pie has "a perfect balance of sneaky spice (marsala wine), pumpkin, and creaminess."
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Pistachio-Rhubarb Yogurt Cake
"Yogurt in the batter makes this cake especially tender," says Lindsay. "And the thick pieces of rhubarb roasted in sugar bring a sweet and sour quality that complements the nuttiness of the pistachios nicely. Plus, who can resist the soft green and pink color palette?"
This cake comes from our fabulous gallery of recipes that use yogurt in unexpected ways.
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"When everyone is full but we still need a sweet bite at the end of a dinner party." that's when Laura serves this beauty. "The sliced tropical fruits look and feel decadent without throwing anyone over the edge. The crunch is unexpected and completely addictive." Plus she says, "Guests feel like you did a lot more than just slice up fruit."
Other Ideas to Try
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Ou Food Editors Pick Their Favorite Recipes of 2016
See what the experts liked best from the hundreds of recipes they create each year.
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Best Hotels: Food and Drink
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Our Cutest Halloween Party Recipes
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The 15 Best Cookbooks of 2016
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Gift Ideas for Food Lovers
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Our Favorite Pumpkin Spice Recipes That Go Beyond the Basic Latte
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Lucinda's Favorite Cookbooks of 2012
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Kevin Sharkey's Showstopping Centerpieces
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30 Days of Apples
From the best homemade applesauce to all kinds of pies.
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Good Things for February 2016
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See What Our Food Editors Are Wishing for This Christmas
All we want is things for the kitchen.
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These Are Our Most Beautiful Recipes of 2016
Not just good-looking, they're also delicious!
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Home Tour: Warm and Welcoming Kitchen
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Our Food Editors Pick Their Favorite Recipes of 2017
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Dishes That Taste Better When Made Ahead
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Martha Stewart Living October 2016 -- All the Recipes!
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Our Favorite Kitchen Styles
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Spring Clean for Cleaner Eating
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Great Brunch Basics
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Traditional Christmas Cookie Recipes
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Our Test Kitchen Experts Recommend: 8 New Classic Dishes to Introduce This Thanksgiving
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Our 10 Most Popular Recipes of 2016
Two words: chicken and cake.
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Our Food Editors Share Their Moms' Favorite Recipes
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Soup Recipes from The Martha Stewart Show