Best Recipes of 2011

This surprising and unusual combination of flavors really works together. Creamy cheese, tart rhubarb, spicy peppercorns, on top of crusty bread–yum!

Recipe: Brie, Rhubarb, and Green Peppercorn Crostini

A coating of furikake (a Japanese mixture of sesame and seaweed) elevates cubes of tofu to another level. Tart apple adds liveliness.

Recipe: Spinach Dinner Salad with Sesame Tofu

Some sort of magic happens when you combine a few simple ingredients to turn out this simple, refreshing salad.

Recipe: Thai Beef Salad

This combo of salty cashews, creamy coconut milk, and savory-sweet pumpkin was our favorite cold-weather comfort food this year.

Recipe: Cashew, Coconut, and Pumpkin Curry

Chile-laden and packed with crunchy-salty Fritos, this ode to New Mexico is one of our all-time favorite burger combos.

Recipe: New Mexico Green Chile and Frito Burgers

Yes, this burger is over-the-top decadence, but boy is it delicious. Sweet pineapple combined with salty spam and creamy coleslaw makes this burger one of the year’s best combinations of flavors and textures.

Recipe: Hawaiian Pig-Out Burgers

This combo of sweet corn and spicy poblano and chipotle makes for the ultimate summer BBQ side dish.

Recipe: Grilled Corn Poblano Salad with Chipotle Vinaigrette

We love the clever use of parsnip and potato peels as a crispy topping for this creamy mash. There’s also a delicious hit of coconut that makes these extra special.

Recipe: Mashed Potatoes and Parsnips with Crisp Root Vegetable Strips

TO DIE FOR. This grand, chocolate-laden dessert is a stunner and we can guarantee that everyone will ask you for the recipe after one bite.

Recipe: Malted Milk Ball Ice Cream Pie

Buttery and beautiful, we couldn’t get enough of these strawberry and rose-kissed cupcakes.

Recipe: Strawberry Rose Cupcakes

A rich, buttery, shortbread-like crust really makes this berry pie stand out from the crowd.

Recipe: Anjou Bakery’s Marionberry Pie

WOW! This one bowled us over in the test kitchen with its decadent deliciousness. The extra effort to make all the components pays off.

Recipe: Ultimate S’more