Don’t worry there’s not going to be any mention of political upheaval or the many disasters that have faced the world this year. You’re hopefully a bunch of aware people with your own thoughts and emotions about that stuff. This is also my chance to write you a little love letter of thanks for your support this year and for reading my blog. We’re all on this little page to talk about food and that’s what I’m going to do. And because the internet is such a self indulgent place I get to decide to just talk about my own food. This post is a bit of round up: the recipes you loved most, the one’s I loved most and the one’s that didn’t make it… the fails.
This has been a big year for The Healthy Hunter. I started earning money from this blogging thing both through advertising (sponsored posts and Instagram) and through selling an Ebook. If you haven’t yet you can buy that delicious little number in my online shop right here.
Celebrate Ebook
- I created this Ebook as a gift for subscribers but if you're not a subscriber and still want to get your hands on the 5 delicious, healthy and fresh recipes inside you can now buy it! Includes: Veggie Sliders, Frozen Yoghurt and Berry Pops, Grilled Peach, Feta and Pecan Salad, Cherry and Macadamia Mini Muffins and Naked Prawn Spring Rolls.
This has been super exciting and given me the chance to work with amazing brands and the freedom to put a lot more time into The Healthy Hunter than I could in the first year, more time to create, test and write. And importantly to learn. Being able to do that is thanks to your wonderful support, it’s really humbling and lovely and you’re just such a lovely bunch of humans.
I’ve also had recipes featured on Buzzfeed, The FeedFeed, Food Gawker, Taste Spotting and lots of other sites and blogs that have been so supportive. My recipe for Chocolate Coconut Pops was also featured in this year’s Bank of Melbourne Social Feeds cookbook.
I’ve seen blog traffic more than triple over the whole year and the second half of 2016 has been super busy. If I compare January this year to December then traffic has increased sixfold – but I can’t really do that as there’s too many variables, aren’t stats fun? No.. Just me? Okay moving on…
I can’t wait for everything that is to come in 2017, both the recipes brewing away in my head and the chance to share a bit more of my life with you including some upcoming travels that will shake things up. But before 2017 starts, let’s look back on the best and the cringe worthy worst of 2016 eeek.
To get the ball rolling I’m going to talk about YOU. And by you, I mean me. The following are the 6 recipes that you liked the most this year. I’m measuring likes on blog views… so this just means you liked the look/sound of them the most but it will do.
Most Viewed Recipes
Crispy Coconut Sesame Cauliflower (so glad you guys like cauliflower as much as I do!)
Did you try any of these?
Next, the recipes I loved the most. This was hard for me to do. Lucky the 6 above are all faves of mine too but as they’re in that list I decide to disqualify them from this one.
My Top 7 Favourite Recipes of 2016 (in no particular order – way too hard, I mean this started off as 3)
Loaded Chicken Salad (I love a good chicken salad and a crispy chickpea crouton!)
Choc Mint Cookies (I drool thinking about these guys)
Crispy Satay Tofu Bowls (the recipe that sold me on tofu)
Sweet Potato and Peanut Curry (so easy!)
Spiced Mince and Green Beans on Hummus (also love this with crispy roasted cauliflower instead)
Garlic and lemon Linguini with Blistered Tomatoes and Basil (because pasta is life and this one is my current favourite)
Crispy Rice Bowl With All the Green Things (this is my go to. I heart it so much!)
Have I left out your favourite?
And finally, the recipes that never made it. I’m sorry to the people that taste tested these, I mean they were all fine but life’s too short for fine! I couldn’t include the total flops as I didn’t take pictures of them. I will do so this year for shits and giggles because I stuff up a lot. I sometimes get flustered and grumpy in the kitchen (mostly when I try to do too much), and I’ve had a ton of baking fails. Mostly because I sometimes think I understand the science behind baking better than I actually do. I really wish I’d taken a picture of the brownie cookies I tried to make with aquafaba. Tasted good, looked like cow patties. Anyway the ones I have images of…
The 3 Worst Flops
Green Zoodle broth soup thing with crispy tofu. Could have been good. Was bland. Didn’t even think of a good title for it. I think there’s still hope for this idea, or am I mad?
Lentil Soup – band and just visually unappealing. I clearly forgot how to create flavour this day. I tried to add lots of chilli at the end to save it. My freezer is full of it.
Coconut Cake – This tasted amazing for the first hour it was out of the oven. But then it got weird in texture and flavour when it cooled. I really struggle with coconut flour. Most of my baking fails are because of it. it’s my nemesis and I’m going to conquer the hell out of it in 2017.
That’s it from me until next year. Thank you so much for all your lovely words of encouragement, feedback, support (in it’s many varied forms), taste testing (you know who you are!), proof reading (Dad, Steph and Jossie you’re all the best at this!) and just reading in general. Please keep visiting and sharing the word in the wonderful way that you do. You’re amazing and mean the world to me.
Happy New Year!!
With love,
HH. x
