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?​

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!

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."

If you never did you should, make this delectable Danish that is. Sarah says it's "10x better that store-bought."

"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."

Shira's pick for salad of the year is this, her "summer go-to appetizer. Perfect with manchego and a crisp glass of rosé."

For all you salmon lovers, Shira recommends this entree as a "fool proof way to get perfectly grilled fish and crisp skin."

"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."

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.

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.

"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."

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.)

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."

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.

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."

"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.