12 Months of Favorites 2011

MY FAVORITE, A TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE TROTTER

CHARLIE TROTTER'S VEGETABLE TOWER
The Ultimate Vegetable Stir-Fry Tower
Pea Sprouts, Shiitake, Soybean Sprouts, Pickled Japanese Cucumber & Red Jalapeño
Chinese Chives, Tofu, Ginger, Cilantro
Over an Organic Short Grain Rice Timbale
With Three Psychedelic Sauces: Cilantro Juice, Chile Oil, Miso Sauce

JANUARY
truffle crostini

Truffle Heaven Crostini

Fresh French Black Winter Truffle, Italian Truffle Cheese, Truffle Oil
with Shiitake and Frisée

FEBRUARY
no-cholesterol eggs benedict

cholesterol-free eggs benedict:

heart-healthy hollandaise
olive oil tarragon garlic poached tomato “egg yolk”
meatless canadian bacon
rustic whole grain toast with herb oil

MARCH

lacquered brisket

Lacquered Brisket of Beef

Anise Ginger Garlic Tamari Glaze
Served with Pickled Fennel

APRIL

saffron matzoh ball soup

Chicken Soup with Saffron Matzoh Balls

Beyond the beautiful rich color, these matzoh balls taste exotic, mysterious.
Do I dare serve these at Passover?

MAY

gourmet picnic

Gourmet Picnic

Spicy Cold Soba Noodles with Peanut, Scallion, and Cilantro
Radish, Tofu, Shiitake, Carrot, Cucumber, Edamame, Shrimp

JUNE

Baby Lettuce and Mache Salad with Meyer Lemon Wheels

Hello Summer!
A Meal with Edible Flowers in Every Course

Baby Lettuce and Mache Salad with Meyer Lemon Wheels, Slivered Pistachios, Violas
Meyer Lemon Cream Dressing, Shallot, Thyme

JULY

vegetable tower

8-layer farmers’ market fantasy

curried fresh carrot juice sauce with blanched okra & mitsuba
grilled green & yellow patty pan squash
sautéed spinach with sesame, garlic, soy sauce
crispy polenta cake
fire-roasted anaheim chile
fresh goat cheese & asatsuki
cumin dusted grilled beet
spicy smoky heirloom tomato & thai basil
roasted japanese eggplant, maldon smoked sea salt flakes

AUGUST

pizza oven, wood burning pizza

Wood-Fired Pizza & Pink Wine POOL PARTY

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore.
When the world seems to shine like you’ve had too much wine, that’s amore.

SEPTEMBER

Grilled Baja Fish Torta

Grilled Fresh Swordfish with Grilled Nopalitos, Pineapple, and Avocado
Caper Cumin Aioli, Pickled Jalapeño, Cilantro
On a Bolillo (Crusty Mexican Oval-Shaped Roll)

OCTOBER

An autumn affair! Oh, I am in love. He is fresh, sensuous, healthy, and playful.
He is simultaneously familiar and exotic; simple and complex.
His diverse tastes always reflect the season. And he is absolutely gorgeous.
He is New Nordic Cuisine.
 

NOVEMBER

green tacos, zucchini tacos

All GREEN Grilled Zucchini Tacos

Prickly Pear Cactus Tortillas
Butter Lettuce, Avocado, Shredded Green Cabbage, Cilantro, Serrano Chile
Lime Garlic Cilantro Sauce

DECEMBER

olive oil oatmeal cookies
♡ heart-healthy olive oil oatmeal walnut cranberry blueberry raisin cookies ♡

Best Wishes for a Creative & Inspiring 2012!
Your friend, Lori Lynn

P.S. Feel free to share links to your favorite dishes of 2011.

20 thoughts on “12 Months of Favorites 2011”

  1. Happy New Year LL. What a year 2011 was. If I had to go through and pick one I honestly couldn’t pick just one – so creative – Ingenious combinations

  2. Lori Lynn, what a gorgeous year! Some of these pictures actually bring tears to my eyes, they’re so beautiful. You truly inspire me to be a better food photographer! And those saffron matzo balls are a brilliant idea. I might be trying those for Passover this year! Happy 2012, can’t wait to see what the next few months have in store. xoxo

  3. I tried, but simply cannot pick my favourites. So, I think I’ll pop out for a 6 hour run, followed by a fast for the rest of the day, and then I’d like to sit down to feast upon all 12! Congratulations on such beautiful, beautiful food in 2011!

  4. I remember each one and I also remember the ones I bookmarked and got away. Well, not this time. I’m writing down ingredients for a few of these. And I am printing that Farmer’s Market fantasy because I need to yearn for spring. You know, LL – I just come here and smile – I must look pretty silly because daughter keeps asking me, “Why are you grinning at your computer?”

  5. Everything you make is absolutely stunning! Truly a feast for the eyes….and all of the senses! Thank you for a delicious 2011 and I know that 2012 is going to be even better!

  6. Everything you’ve shared could be shared at a 5 star restaurant! Each beautifully plated…and photographed. You’ve made me re-think my 5 snaps and done method! Thanks for sharing your best, LL! Happy New Year!

  7. I do remember the post with that lacquered beef brisket.

    Dearest LL, please know that though I don’t get to visit at often, you are never far from my thoughts.

    Happy New Year to you and the family.

    Fondly, Cynthia

  8. A real feast for the eyes…my tastebuds are dancing with joy just looking at the photos. The presentation for each dish is so exquisite. Congratulations on a superb 2011 and I wish you a fun filled 2012.

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