Cooking for One's top recipes of 2022!
And a look ahead to cooking in 2023 🎉
Hello, and happy almost-new-year to you all!!
It’s that time, when everyone is reflecting on the year’s accomplishments: ups, downs, and everything in between. So I thought I’d take a moment to reflect on how much I’ve enjoyed creating this newsletter to share with you!
I started this Substack in January of this year, when I was looking for a new way to connect with people through food—one that didn’t have to rely on Instagram’s ever-changing algorithm and the ephemeral sink of content that it creates. Since then, Cooking for One has become a really rewarding place to share and archive my recipes, to meditate on how I’ve been cooking and what the process means to me, and to create a community through food! I’m so grateful to all of you for following along and reading this Substack—every new subscriber, view, and engagement brings me so much joy!
With that, here’s a fun look at my top ten most popular recipes on this site, listed in descending order of views and engagements. (I find it exciting that I can even make this list!!) If you made any of these, or even just looked at the recipe, THANK YOU! And I really hope you enjoyed the results.
#10: Strawberry-Rhubarb Cardamom Crumble
A crumble is always a good idea. I was particularly excited about coming up with this recipe, because I am very much NOT a baker (not that a crumble is all that sophisticated a bake…) but I still managed to come up with something that is reliable and delicious. Makes me excited for spring!
#9: Chicken Tikka
I think I first featured this recipe in my newsletter on having some approachable, go-to meat recipes in your back pocket, and I’m happy to see that it’s resonating with people! It really is easier than you think, and the results are pretty foolproof.
#8: Breakfast Potatoes
Obviously a potato recipe had to make the top ten list. These are the ones that feature at the top of this very newsletter, so it makes sense! I love this recipe for how basic it is—but despite its simplicity, it never fails to yield delicious, soft-on-the-inside and crispy-on-the-outside results.
#7: Tofu Noodle Stir Fry
We love a one-pan recipe on this site!! I love this recipe for its versatility, and its clean-out-the-fridge abilities make it perfect for a solo chef.
#6: Solo-Sized Dutch Baby
I have two recipes for Dutch Babies on the site, but it makes sense (and makes me happy) that this would be the more popular one, given its single-serving intentions! Who said you can’t have a beautiful, fluffy, custardy pancake for brunch when you’re just cooking for yourself?
#5: Chicken 65
I love that this recipe made the top five!! Chicken 65 can seem really daunting to make at first, especially if you’ve only ever had it at a restaurant. But I’m so hoping that this recipe made it approachable for you!
#4: Onion Pakoras
One of my favorite things to make and share. Of course, these can be made just for yourself as well, but this is one of the recipes on my site that lends itself VERY well to sharing (and always yields dependable, impressive results).
#3: Tofu Katsu
Top three, getting into the big leagues here!! This tofu katsu has become part of my weekly rotation, and I love that so many other people are engaging with it! I also really hope it has helped change at least one person’s mind about tofu.
#2: Crêpes for One
Simple, delicious, classic—crêpes are a great recipe to have in your back pocket, for special occasions or even just a weekend breakfast. I’m happy to see that so many people agree!
#1: Peanut Noodles with Ground Beef
This was by far and away the most popular recipe on my site this year! I have to say, I was actually surprised to see this, because the recipe is SO simple. But at the same time, I think (or hope) it taps into a lot of shared processes for cooking for one, at home: it’s an easy way to approach meat, the sauce is made from things you already have in your pantry, and it takes under 30 minutes to make. Plus, peanut butter is always a good idea. So you go, peanut noodles with ground beef!! You’ve earned your first-place spot!!
I’m still exploring all the possibilities that Substack has to offer, but as we head into the new year, I ultimately know I’d love to engage even more with you all! Please let me know if you ever make any of the recipes I share, if anything inspires you, what else you’re cooking and reading about right now, what you’d like to see more of…anything and everything! Thank you for reading, thank you for commenting, and thank you for cooking!!!
Here’s to a new year of exploration, discovery, and delicious meals.
