It’s always funny to me to look back on the year and compare my expectations with the reality. In so many ways, both wonderful and terrible, this year was not what I expected. I’ve grown a lot, and I’m comfortable saying that I’ve come out on the other side a better person. And, looking back on what we cooked in 2014, it’s evident that despite whatever else was going on in our world we ate very well. So, without further ado, the Best of B&S: 2014 Edition!

Best Cocktail

The Stormy Scuppernong

Best Pie

Skillet Tar Heel Pie

Best Ways to Up Your Bloody Mary Game

Pickled Fiddlehead Ferns and Bone Broth Bloody Mary

Dan’s Favorite Recipe

Garlic Skillet Smashed Potatoes

Best Food-Related Reason to Get Waist Deep in the Ocean

Ginger Sea Salt

Best Comfort Food

Three Cheese Macaroni

Most Wonderful Use of Pimento Cheese

Pimento Cheese Stuffed Squash Blossoms 

Best Day at Sea

Blue Crab Stuffed Dolphin Fish

Best Use of Muscadines

Muscadine Hull Pie

Best Indignant Monologue Published by a Magazine

A big thanks to The Local Palate for giving me a platform to discuss what defines the “real South.”

Best Appliance Purchase 

Our smoker! Long live the beerbeque!

Most Unexpected Use of Cayenne

Cayenne Cider Punch

Most Amazing Trip

My visit to Southern Living!

Elena’s Favorite

Sauerkraut & Dumplings

Best Family Recipe

Flossie’s Pound Cake