I don’t want to get all soupy and sappy on you now, but I did want to take a quick look back at what I consider the best recipes and posts of 2009. My favorites. The ones, when looking back through the archives, brought a smile to my face or a growl in my belly. The meals that have become memories. I hope you’re hungry…

(1) Double Chocolate Layer Cake with Raspberry Filling / (2) Crispy Black Bean Tacos with Feta and Cabbage Slaw / (3) Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes / (4) Baked Panko Chicken Tenders with Basil Aioli / (5) Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes / (6) Mongolian Beef / (7) Vanilla Almond Cupcakes with Blackberry Buttercream / (8) Prosciutto, Pear, and Goat Cheese Panini / (9) A Love & Olive Oil Wedding

(1) Red Pesto Penne with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Goat Cheese / (2) White Chocolate Bread / (3) The Go-To Chocolate Cupcake / (4) Panko-Coated Chicken Schnitzel / (5) Pumpkin Chip Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Buttercream / (6) Eggplant Parmigiana Heros / (7) Bettie Landis’ Gingerbread Cookies / (8) Cherry-Filled Almond Cupcakes / (9) Vanilla Cake with Tiramisu Buttercream and Ganache Filling What will this next year bring? I have no way of knowing, but I can only hope it is sugary and sweet and swirled with buttercream. As we speak I’m preparing to celebrate Love & Olive Oil’s third birthday, which, without you, would not be something to celebrate. Prepare yourselves, I am confident this year is going to be a great one! Here’s to a happy and healthy 2010!