My Favorite Recipes from 2016 + what I’m looking forward to!

There’s beauty in not know what the future may hold for you. Don’t you think? It kind of builds this crazy sense of excitement in planning and anticipating what will come next.

For me, I’ve been so thrilled to see Ambitious Kitchen grow and flourish over the years.

Right now I find myself anticipating what could be next, and for some reason, I have this crazy feeling that 2017 might just be the best year I’ve ever had. I have so many things planned: launching healthyglow.co, a site change, finishing up my cookbook proposal, traveling, decorating my home, and of course, starting my rug shop! 

That’s a hefty list and I actually think I might be a little delirious, BUT why not go big? Follow your dreams and find a way to make things happen. You’ll never know if something will be successful, if you don’t try your best to make it a reality. Take a leap of faith and jump into an adventure. There have been so many ups and downs since starting this site, but mostly, it’s made me into who I am today and I’m so grateful I decided to start a blog and share stories + recipes with you.

Because of all my dreams and passions, I’ve found myself more busy than I’ve ever been (and for good reason!) but I also recognize that I need to come back and give AK the love it deserves in writing, vulnerability and amazing healthy recipes. So look for more of that in 2017! Oh and weekend favorites will soon make a comeback… YES!

In other news, this past year was a seriously delicious one. For the most part I stayed on healthier side when it came to treats and meals. Some of you mentioned missing my more indulgent treats so I brought those back every now and then and will continue to do so because I love baking more than any 70 year old I know. Trust me, I know how fun it can be to bring a treat to a party or show up with a cookie that blows people’s minds. 

Anyway here we are: MY personal favorite recipes from 2016. The ones that are tested, tried and absolutely tasty AF. You know I wouldn’t lie to you, so put these on your meal plans ASAP and let’s get cookin’!

P.S. These are in no particular order, just random favorites I’ve made again and again over the past year.

1. Golden Turmeric Chickpea Chicken Soup

2. Paleo Ginger Molasses Cookies

3. Almond Flour Sugar Cookies

4. Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken with Purple Sticky Rice

5. Slow Cooker Black Bean Pumpkin Turkey Chili

6. Butternut Squash and Kale Salad with Pomegranate and Goat Cheese

7. Quinoa, Dried Fig & Dark Chocolate Granola Bars

8. Healthy Gingerbread Muffins

9. Tortilla Chip Crusted Baked Jalapeno Poppers

10. Mediterranean Pesto Chickpea Salad

12. Small Batch Almond Flour Brownies

13. Whole Wheat Honey Jalapeno Cornbread Chicken Tamale Pie

14. Blackened Salmon Tacos with Mango Guacamole & Forbidden Rice

15. Gluten Free Carrot Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

16. Best Paleo Chocolate Chunk Cookies

17. Allergy Friendly Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

18. Paleo Zucchini Banana Muffins

19. Healthy Reese’s Eggs

20. 4 Healthy Breakfast Toasts

What would you like to see more of in 2017? Recipes, stories, inspiration? Tell me below!

Don’t forget to check out the Top 10 reader favorite recipes from 2016 here!