Celebrating a Delicious Year: Vote for Your Favorite Emily Bites Recipes of 2011!

It feels like just yesterday, on a quiet Christmas Eve, that I embarked on a journey to create a space where I could meticulously track the culinary adventures unfolding in my kitchen. What began as a personal log of recipes quickly blossomed into Emily Bites, a vibrant community fueled by a shared passion for delicious, accessible cooking. Now, as we approach our one-year blogiversary, I am profoundly humbled, genuinely honored, and absolutely thrilled to know that you, my incredible readers, have joined me on this path. Your consistent support, your willingness to try my recipes, and your generosity in sharing this little corner of the internet with friends mean the world to me. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making this past year an unforgettable success!

The Annual “Best Of” Tradition: Your Voice, Your Favorites

Many food blogs mark the end of the year with a “best of” compilation, reflecting on the highlights and fan favorites. While I adore this tradition, I must confess, narrowing down my own list of beloved creations feels like an impossible task. Every recipe holds a special place, a memory of its creation and the joy it brought. So, instead of me playing favorites, I thought, “Why not let the true experts decide?” That’s right – I’m handing the reins over to YOU! It sounded like a much more engaging and, frankly, easier approach to celebrate our collective culinary journey. I admit, I had a moment of nervousness, wondering if anyone would actually cast a vote. But after reaching out to our amazing community on my Facebook page, I was met with overwhelming assurances and enthusiasm. So, dear readers, you heard them—you better vote!

Because Emily Bites officially launched in December 2010, our “Best of 2011” selection will span an entire year, covering recipes published from December 2010 through November 2011. This timeframe allows ample opportunity for everyone to participate in the voting process. We’ll then culminate this exciting event by unveiling the winning recipes from each category right here on our special one-year blogiversary, December 24, 2011! It’s the perfect way to look back at all the delicious meals and treats we’ve shared.

Curating the Nominees: A Thoughtful Selection Process

Preparing this list of nominees was a delightful challenge. Many recipes could arguably fit into multiple categories, leaving me genuinely torn about where to place them. To ensure fairness and avoid any single recipe dominating several categories, I ultimately decided to assign each dish to just one, its most fitting home. Please note that this isn’t an exhaustive list of every single recipe published during the year. If your absolute favorite didn’t make the initial cut, don’t despair! We’ve included a special write-in category just for that reason. Your beloved recipe might still get the recognition it deserves!

How to Cast Your Vote: Simple Steps to Make Your Voice Heard

Participating in the Emily Bites Reader’s Choice Awards is straightforward and fun! There are 13 exciting categories, plus an additional bonus write-in category where you can champion any recipe from the past year. To vote, simply leave a comment below this post. In your comment, list the numbers 1 through 13. Next to each number, please fill in the letter corresponding to your choice for the winning recipe in that specific category. For category number 14, our open-ended “Best Overall Emily Bites Recipe of 2011,” you can simply write in the name of your favorite recipe. You don’t need to have made a recipe from every single category to vote; feel free to choose based on what looks most appealing to you, or leave any categories blank if you prefer. In the spirit of fair play, in any instance where there is a tie, I, Emily, will cast the deciding vote to break it. Here’s a quick example of how your vote should look:

1. A
2. C
3. E
(and so on for all categories)

Now, without further ado, let’s unveil the delicious nominees that have captured our hearts (and stomachs) over the past year! Get ready to reminisce about your culinary experiences and pick your ultimate champions. Every vote counts, and your participation truly makes this celebration special.

The Nominees: Emily Bites Reader’s Choice Awards 2011

From savory appetizers perfect for gatherings to comforting main dishes, and delightful desserts, these are the recipes that have stood out. It’s time to choose your culinary champions!

1. Best Appetizer

a) Pizza on a Stick
b) Mini Spinach Dip Bread Bowls
c) Pepperoni Pizza Mini Puffs
d) Buffalo Chicken Bites
e) Pepperoni Bites
f) Ham & Cheese Pretzel Bites

2. Best Asian Dish

a) Asian Chicken & Vegetables with Spicy Peanut Sauce
b) Ginger Sesame Chicken
c) Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
d) Soy Ginger Fried Couscous

3. Best Breakfast Recipe

a) 20 Minute Bacon, Egg & Cheese Breakfast Pizza
b) Pumpkin, Cranberry & Apple Baked Oatmeal
c) Sausage, Egg & Cheese Hash Brown Cups
d) Blueberry & Peach Baked Oatmeal
e) Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit Cups

4. Best Baked Good

a) Lemon Poppyseed Doughnuts
b) Raspberry Cream Cheese Muffins
c) Orange Dark Chocolate Scones
d) Pumpkin & Cream Bread
e) Monkey Bread Muffins
f) PB&J Doughnuts

5. Best American Comfort Food Recipe

a) Creamy Stove Top Mac & Cheese
b) Chicken & Biscuits Casserole
c) Buffalo Chicken Chili
d) Slow Cooked Barbecue Beef
e) Deep Dish Pizza Casserole
f) Cincinnati Chili

6. Best Dessert

a) Strawberry Cheesecake Popsicles
b) Black Forest Cupcakes
c) Crustless Pumpkin Mini Pies
d) Nutella Thumbprints
e) Lemon Lime Cupcakes

7. Best Italian Recipe

a) Best Lasagna Ever
b) Eggplant Parmesan
c) Chicken Saltimbocca
d) Layered Pasta Bake
e) Pepperoni & Sausage Stromboli
f) White Vegetable Lasagna

8. Best Main Course “Muffin/Cupcake”

a) Taco Cupcakes
b) Mac & Cheese Muffins
c) Lasagna Cupcakes
d) Meatloaf Muffins
e) Cheeseburger Cupcakes
f) Cheesy Chicken Cups

9. Best Mexican Recipe

a) Taco Casserole Bake
b) Chicken Enchiladas
c) Mexican Rice Casserole
d) Mini Taco Bowls
e) Bubble Up Enchilada Casserole
f) Slow Cooked Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos

10. Best Pasta Recipe

a) Cheesy Taco Pasta
b) Pasta with Feta & Roasted Vegetables
c) Sausage & Pumpkin Pasta
d) Parmesan Linguini with Peas
e) Pesto Pasta with Asparagus, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Arugula
f) Creamy Lemon Tortellini Bake

11. Best Pizza Recipe

a) Cheeseburger Pizza
b) Buffalo Chicken Pizza
c) Margherita Pizza
d) Pepperoni & Pineapple Pizza
e) Barbecue Chicken Pizza

12. Best Soup Recipe

a) Roasted Tomato Basil Soup with Parmesan Crisps
b) Chicken Tortilla Soup
c) White Bean Chicken Chili

13. Best Vegetarian Recipe

a) Spicy Black Bean Burgers
b) Italian Farro Bake
c) Falafel Sandwich with Yogurt Sauce
d) Mushroom Risotto
e) Brown Butter Gnocchi with Spinach & Pine Nuts

14. Best Overall Emily Bites Recipe of 2011

This is your opportunity to shine a spotlight on your absolute favorite Emily Bites recipe from the past year! This is a write-in category, so simply tell us which dish stole your heart. It can be any recipe from the categories above, or any other creation you’ve discovered and loved on my site since its inception. We can’t wait to see which recipe takes the crown!

Let your culinary voice be heard and help us celebrate the incredible array of recipes we’ve created together this year! Voting will officially close on Wednesday, December 21st. The highly anticipated winners will be announced and posted here on Christmas Eve, just in time for our blog’s one-year anniversary. Thank you immensely in advance for taking the time to vote and for being such an integral part of the Emily Bites community. Your engagement truly makes this blog special!