The Best of Pithy and Cleaver, 2009 Edition

It’s been a big year for us at Pithy and Cleaver.

2009 had its highs and its lows, its joyful parties and its painful long nights at work. We took on some new challenges, we ate a ridiculous amount of grilled cheese, and our lives have been enriched by the new people we’ve met through this blog. We experimented with new ingredients and new recipes, we shared some old favorites, and we got a few exciting mentions in the press!

Here’s a roundup of a few of this year’s kitchen highlights, recipes we’d definitely make again. Wishing all of you a happy New Year!

Prettiest Poultry:
Roast Cherryaki Duck

Easy and Impressive Make-Ahead Dessert:
Tiramisu with Marsala and Kahlua

Our New Favorite Cookies:
Ultimate Peanut Butter Cookies
Chewy Ginger Cookies with Cardamom and Black Pepper

Fun Foray into Korean Food:
Vegetarian Pa Jeon

Unbelievably Quick Pizza Dough:
Easy Pizza Crust

Most Succulent Salmon:
Honey-Mustard Salmon
Salmon with Soy-Honey and Wasabi Sauces

Successful Experiments in Grilled Cheese:
Grilled Smoked Mozzarella with Maple-Caramelized Bacon
Tomato Soup Grilled Cheese

Best-Textured Quickbread:
Olive Oil Pumpkin, Carrot, and Zucchini Bread

Scones, Perfected:
Lemon Ginger White Chocolate Scones

Old Favorites:
Sunny Citrus Pound Cake
Pumpkin Pie

Zingiest Vegetable Side Dish:
Pomegranate Spiced Carrots

A Few Fresh Salads:
Southwestern Salad with Chili-Lime Vinaigrette
Pantry Panzanella with White Beans

Hearty and Healthy:
Open Faced Turkey Meatball Sandwiches

Favorite New Hot-weather Dish:
Cold Udon Noodles with Coconut, Citrus, and Shrimp

Most Decadent Newcomer:
Potatoes Dauphinara

New Go-to Dish for Potlucks:
Tangy Barbecue Baked Beans

Best Dish for a Rainy, Lazy Sunday:
Chana Masala

Most Comforting Comfort Food:
Parmesan Polenta with Poached Eggs and Mushroom Fricassee

Best “Hey, Let’s See What We Have in the Fridge!” Experiment:
Warm Black Rice Salad

What were some of your favorite recipes this year? Let us know in the comments.