Hi Reader,

When I think about the past year in food, I don’t look at trends or analytics dashboards—I look at you. What you cooked. What you clicked. What you rated with five stars and a “David, this recipe saved my life” message.
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And let me tell you: this year, you had opinions. Glorious, passionate, fork-wielding opinions. Some recipes shot straight to the top so fast I wondered if you were all texting each other behind my back. Others quietly climbed the charts week after week because you kept coming back to them like trusted friends.
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The One claims he can predict which dishes will win the popularity contest each year (um, he can't, thank you very much), but even he had to admit he didn’t see that sleeper hit of a cider chicken and bean dish storming the list. Mama Leite would’ve been proud of the classics you championed, and absolutely delighted by the wildcards you voted for like they were running for office.
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So today isn’t about resolutions or fresh starts. It’s a curtain call for the recipes you turned into hits—your Most Valuable Plates of 2025. These aren’t just good dishes; they’re the ones you came back for seconds, thirds, and enough ratings to make even ME blush!
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Thank you for your readership and support in 2025. So many of you took to heart my message of leaving reviews and star ratings to help combat the pressure of AI. And boy, did you come through. Please keep the reviews and ratings and photos coming! I love them all.
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And here's wishing you and yours a wonderful and delicious 2026!

Keep Cooking the Recipes You Loved

1. Revisit the Winners. If thousands of readers gave a dish five stars, there’s a reason—put those MVPs on repeat.
2. Read the Comments. Your fellow cooks leave gold: smart swaps, time-savers, flavor boosts. Crowd wisdom is real.
3. Batch the Fan Favorites. The top recipes earned their status because they work—double them, freeze them, rely on them.
4. Use MVPs as Templates. Loved that chicken? Try it with pork. Obsessed with the soup? Swap veg. The structure holds.
5. Share the Hits. The best-performing recipes of the year make perfect “cook this next” recommendations for friends and family. Spread the deliciousness.

WHAT'S INSIDE...

• ​Gnocchi With Gorgonzola Cream Sauce​
• ​One-Pot Tortellini With Prosciutto & Peas​
• ​Rosemary Chicken & Beans In A Creamy Cider Broth​
• ​Chocolate Cake With Salted Caramel Frosting​
• ​Classic Shrimp Scampi​
• ​Slow Roasted Boneless Leg Of Lamb​
• ​Basque Cheesecake With Pomegranate Molasses​
• ​Meatball Stroganoff​
• ​Lemony Chicken Piccata Meatballs​
• ​Macedonian Spiced Chicken​

​Gnocchi With Gorgonzola Cream Sauce​

Tender, pillowy gnocchi is bathed in creamy blue cheese sauce for an easy but elegant meal. Serve it as a hearty main dish or an indulgent side.

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​One-Pot Tortellini With Prosciutto & Peas​

Give your favorite store-bought tortellini a facelift with the addition of prosciutto, peas, and a creamy leek and Parmesan sauce. With only one dish to clean, it's guaranteed to end up on permanent rotation.

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​Rosemary Chicken & Beans In A Creamy Cider Broth​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.86 from 14 votes

This recipe for rosemary chicken, beans, and leeks is a cozy weeknight meal that combines tender roasted chicken, cannellini beans, and leeks in an apple-infused broth. The simplicity of the recipe and the outstanding flavor will have you returning to it over and over again.

​☞ ​Try this recipe​

​Chocolate Cake With Salted Caramel Frosting​

This stunning dessert is made with two layers of rich chocolate cake that's filled with salty-sweet caramel buttercream frosting.

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​Classic Shrimp Scampi​

This version of shrimp scampi keeps the shells on for maximum flavor and moisture, slowly infuses the garlic into the butter and oil for a gentler, deeper flavor, and doubles the sauce—because, let’s be honest, you come for the shrimp, but stay for the sauce.

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​Slow Roasted Boneless Leg Of Lamb​

This applause-worthy roasted boneless leg of lamb is easy to make with just four ingredients--lamb, oil, garlic, and rosemary--and 15 minutes of effort.

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​Basque Cheesecake With Pomegranate Molasses​

This burnt Basque cheesecake knocks it out of the park with the addition of pomegranate molasses. The classic caramelized top and a melt-in-your-mouth creamy center are there, but the pomegranate molasses adds a distinctive fruity tang.

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​Meatball Stroganoff​

This updated version of the classic, made with mini meatballs and creamy mushroom sauce, is so rich and comforting that you may never go back to the original.

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​Lemony Chicken Piccata Meatballs​

Tender, bite-sized chicken meatballs take a luxurious swim in a vibrant lemon-caper butter sauce. This is chicken piccata, reimagined and redonkulously delicious. Cue applause.

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​Macedonian Spiced Chicken​

Macedonian spiced chicken livens up your everyday chicken by marinating it in a blend of paprika, cinnamon, cayenne, and garlic before roasting it all on a bed of sliced onions. Smoky, a little spicy, and outstandingly juicy, this chicken dish will become a cool-weather favorite.

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