Discover my absolute favorite new recipes from Gimme Some Oven in 2020 – a delicious collection of global flavors and comforting classics.
Following our recent post where we celebrated your most beloved new Gimme Some Oven recipes of 2020, today, I’m thrilled to share a deeply personal culinary journey: my top favorite recipes introduced last year. While there’s always a delightful overlap between your picks and mine – homemade tortillas, for instance, became a household staple for us, making literally millions in our casita – this particular collection reflects something more profound for me: a boundless sense of wanderlust.
Undoubtedly, I’ve felt immense gratitude every single day throughout the pandemic for the extraordinary privilege my husband and I have had in safely working from home. Yet, like so many of you, I’ve also keenly felt the absence of travel and the exciting adventures we had eagerly planned for 2020. My spring birthday trip to Morocco, an extended holiday visit back to Kansas City, and a babymoon somewhere—anywhere!—were all put on hold. As someone whose travel itineraries revolve almost entirely around food, missing out on exploring new restaurants and tasting novel flavors on these planned excursions was a genuine disappointment.
For the majority of last year, and likely a significant portion of 2021, we’ve been safely settled here in Barcelona. Unable to hop on planes and explore distant lands, we’ve instead embarked on a vibrant culinary tour right from our kitchen. This unexpected shift, while not the year of travel eating we envisioned, blossomed into an incredibly delicious adventure. We revisited cherished memories from our Istanbul travels with comforting bowls of menemen and warming lentil soup. My Mexican salsa repertoire expanded dramatically with the introduction of incredibly flavorful raw tomatillo, peanut chipotle, and clever shortcut-mole sauces. A newfound obsession with curries of all kinds took hold, culminating in finally perfecting my dream Caesar salad recipe. This past fall also saw a marathon of nostalgic American baked goods, alongside countless other new recipes and kitchen experiments that are yet to grace the blog. Cooking with ingredients and techniques inspired by our favorite global destinations transformed into its own delightful adventure, serving as a bright spot in an otherwise challenging year. For that, I am truly grateful.
So, without further ado, let me present the 19 recipes that became my personal new favorites here on Gimme Some Oven in 2020. I’m incredibly excited to kick off 2021 with a fresh lineup of healthy and invigorating recipes that I’m confident you’ll adore, so please stay tuned for much more to come!
Menemen (Turkish Egg Scramble)
My husband, Barclay, and I absolutely fell in love with this incredibly comforting, healthy, and flavorful breakfast scramble during our memorable trip to Istanbul. We were delighted to discover that recreating it at home is remarkably simple, requiring just a few basic ingredients. The harmonious blend of tomatoes, peppers, and eggs creates a warm, bubbling dish that transports you straight to a cozy Turkish cafe. I wholeheartedly recommend serving it piping hot with plenty of crusty bread for dipping into the rich, savory sauce – it’s an utterly delicious experience you won’t want to miss.
Cabbage Egg Drop Soup
If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, you’ll undoubtedly know that my affection for a truly great egg drop soup runs exceptionally deep. This past year, I finally perfected and shared a beloved version for the blog, featuring tender Napa cabbage, which has become a regular fixture in our kitchen, appearing at least once or twice a month. This soup boasts a light yet flavorful sesame ginger broth, delicate egg ribbons, and a generous helping of crisp cabbage, making it both nourishing and incredibly satisfying. Should you happen to have some baby bok choy on hand, I highly recommend incorporating it for an added layer of texture and flavor – it’s an absolute winner.
Korean Steak Bowls
I simply cannot get enough of the exquisite flavor combination in these Korean Steak Bowls. The star elements include perfectly seared, juicy soy-marinated steak bites, a refreshing and quick sesame cucumber slaw, and the truly exceptional two-ingredient spicy gochujang sauce – a sauce you absolutely must try if you haven’t already. This dish is incredibly versatile; we frequently adapt it at home with crispy tofu or Beyond Burgers so my vegetarian husband can savor it too. Whether made with steak, chicken, or a plant-based alternative, these bowls are always a resounding success, perfect for a dynamic weeknight dinner or efficient meal prep.
Mole Chicken Tacos
For those craving chicken tacos bursting with complex, deep flavors, I highly recommend preparing a batch of my ingenious shortcut mole sauce to generously toss with shredded or diced chicken. These tacos are undeniably buenísimos, offering a rich, savory depth that transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal. They are especially delightful when served with creamy slices of avocado and a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice, which brightens and balances the robust mole flavors. Consider adding a sprinkle of cilantro or crumbled queso fresco for an authentic finish.
Peanut Chipotle Salsa
Speaking of dishes bursting with flavor, this incredibly creamy, savory, smoky, and subtly sweet peanut chipotle salsa emerged as another new favorite in our home last year. Its unique profile is thanks to a surprising, yet absolutely brilliant, secret ingredient: peanut butter! Trust me when I say, it truly works wonders, adding a delightful richness and depth. This versatile salsa can be enjoyed in countless ways – as a vibrant dip for tortilla chips, a flavorful sauce for grilled meats or vegetables, a savory spread for sandwiches, or whatever creative application your culinary imagination desires. It’s a game-changer for any meal.
Salmon Asparagus Orzo Salad
I was utterly captivated by this vibrant, spring-inspired pasta salad featuring delicate orzo (or your preferred pasta shape), tender smoked salmon, crisp sautéed asparagus, fresh aromatic herbs like dill, generous shavings of Parmesan cheese, and a bright, quick lemony dressing. This dish is remarkably versatile, tasting equally fantastic whether served warm or chilled, making it an ideal candidate for meal prep. In fact, the flavors meld and deepen overnight, meaning the leftovers are often even more delicious the next day. It’s a truly satisfying and elegant meal, perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Chipotle Cheddar Chopped Salad
One of the seemingly random, yet intensely missed, foods since living abroad has been those fantastic bagged chopped salads readily available in the States, particularly the chipotle cheddar varieties. Driven by this longing, I decided to recreate my own from scratch, elevating it with the addition of tender chopped chicken and creamy avocado. While nothing can truly replicate the sheer convenience of the store-bought version, I must confess that this homemade recipe is undeniably even tastier, bursting with fresher flavors and customizable ingredients. It’s a vibrant, satisfying meal that truly hits the spot.
Fresh Salsa Verde Cruda
Barclay and I completely fell for salsa verde cruda – a vibrant raw green salsa – during our most recent trips to Mexico City. For anyone yet to experience the sheer brilliance of this fresh salsa, which markedly differs from the roasted tomatillo salsas commonly found in grocery stores and restaurants, I shared my favorite recipe earlier last year. It’s astonishingly quick and easy to prepare in just five minutes, featuring raw tomatillos for a distinctively refreshing, light, subtly sweet, and utterly delicious flavor. It’s perfect for dipping, drizzling, or adding a burst of freshness to any Mexican-inspired dish.
Best Caesar Salad
As I passionately declared in the original post, this is, quite simply, the Caesar salad of my wildest dreams. It’s meticulously crafted with crisp, cool Romaine lettuce, delightfully toasty sourdough croutons, generous shavings of fresh Parmesan, and my absolute favorite bold and tangy Caesar dressing. Yes, for optimal flavor, anchovies in this recipe are non-negotiable, lending that quintessential umami depth. No, you absolutely don’t have to use raw eggs in the dressing if you prefer not to, though I encourage you to try it if comfortable. In my humble yet firm opinion, this recipe truly stands as the undisputed best.
Tomato Lentil Curry
For those evenings when you find yourself yearning for deeply comforting, healthy, and satisfying vegetarian fare, this rich tomato lentil curry is precisely what you need. It features a wonderfully aromatic coconut curry tomato broth, brimming with hearty lentils and tender sweet potatoes, creating a symphony of flavors and textures. We find it particularly enjoyable served alongside fluffy rice or warm naan bread, perfect for soaking up every last drop of the luscious sauce. What’s more, it’s an absolute breeze to prepare and is naturally both vegan and gluten-free, making it a crowd-pleasing option for all.
Coconut Lime Chicken and Broccoli
I am fairly certain that my devotion to all things chicken and broccoli will endure indefinitely, but this particular simple stir-fry, simmered in a vibrant, tangy, and creamy coconut lime sauce, became an extra-special favorite this past year. The fragrant notes of ginger, lemongrass, and garlic infuse the dish with an irresistible aroma and flavor that perfectly complements the tender chicken and crisp-tender broccoli. We’ve also successfully adapted this recipe at home using succulent shrimp instead of chicken, yielding an equally delicious and swift meal. It’s a versatile dish that comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Five Spice Tofu with Sesame Noodles
I consumed more five-spice powder in 2020 than ever before, prompting me to question why this incredible spice hadn’t been a more prominent feature in my cooking over the years! The deceptively simple three-ingredient sauce featured in this recipe ultimately became my absolute favorite way to utilize it. I paired crispy pan-fried tofu (though chicken, pork, shrimp, or tempeh would also be fantastic) with this intensely flavorful sauce and served it over my beloved sesame noodles. Honestly, the potential uses for this sauce are virtually endless. I highly recommend giving it a try for something truly unique and delicious.
Ginger Kale Fried Rice
Fried rice is an undisputed staple in our regular dinner rotation, and we consistently enjoy experimenting with my original fried rice recipe by incorporating various proteins, vegetables, and seasonings. In 2020, this vibrant ginger kale fried rice variation soared to the top of our favorites list. It’s crafted with wholesome brown rice, pan-fried to achieve an irresistible extra-crispy texture, an entire bunch of fresh, nutrient-dense kale, and a generous infusion of aromatic ginger. The result is a remarkably flavorful and satisfying dish that feels both indulgent and wonderfully healthy.
Watermelon Lime Mocktails
Navigating various fertility diets, undergoing IVF, and ultimately becoming pregnant (hooray!) last summer meant that 2020 was a decidedly “dry” year in our household. This happy circumstance, however, led to a delightful exploration of mocktails! These vibrant watermelon lime mocktails quickly became a cherished favorite for both us and our friends throughout the summer. The simple two-ingredient base is elevated to extraordinary heights with a playful Tajín rim, creating a perfectly frozen, slushy, and refreshing drink. Keep an eye out for another fantastic mocktail recipe coming your way this week, just in time for New Year’s Eve celebrations!
Green Curry Salmon
This wonderfully simple coconut green curry salmon also quickly became a favorite in our kitchen, primarily due to its incredible speed and ease of preparation – it comes together in under 30 minutes! Tender, flaky salmon is gently simmered in a luscious, Thai-inspired lime coconut green curry sauce, complemented by fresh baby bok choy. The beauty of this dish lies in its adaptability; you can effortlessly incorporate whatever kinds of vegetables you enjoy sautéing. It tastes absolutely fantastic served over steamed rice, noodles, or any accompaniment that tickles your fancy, making it a perfect healthy and quick dinner solution.
French Lentil and Mushroom Soup
It turns out I may have indulged in a bit more lentil-hoarding during quarantine than I initially realized, leading to a delightful abundance of lentil soups throughout 2020! This French-inspired lentil mushroom soup, in particular, rose to prominence as one of our new, most cherished recipes. It’s crafted with wholesome, fresh, and simple ingredients, simmered to perfection with an aromatic blend of vegetables, herbs, and greens. The result is a dish that is both healthy and surprisingly hearty, naturally vegan and gluten-free, and epitomizes the very essence of cozy comfort food, especially during the colder months.
Pumpkin Scones
My nostalgia for classic American fall and holiday desserts hit particularly hard this year, especially with the inability to travel home for the holidays. (There might also have been a few pregnancy cravings woven into that mix!) As you may have noticed, the latter months of last year transformed into a bit of a bake-a-thon here on the blog, showcasing many of my favorite sweet treats. Among these, these delightful pumpkin scones quickly became an absolute favorite. They are wonderfully quick and easy to prepare, drizzled with a delicate vanilla glaze, and imbued with the most perfect, comforting pumpkin flavors. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a lovely afternoon snack.
Nut Roast
2020 also marked the year Barclay and I discovered and wholeheartedly embraced the culinary brilliance of British-style nut roasts. Our wonderful friends from the UK and South Africa introduced us to this fantastic vegetarian classic, a dish incredibly versatile with countless variations. This particular recipe, brimming with a delicious blend of nuts, vegetables, lentils, dried apricots, and aromatic rosemary and sage, was the one we ultimately prepared and proudly served for our Christmas dinner at home. If you’re new to the world of nut roasts, I urge you to add this recipe to your list for next year’s holidays – I truly believe you’ll adore it as much as we do, a truly savory and satisfying centerpiece.
Linzer Cookies
This past year, I also found immense joy in baking a truly ridiculous amount of Linzer cookies, sharing them generously with friends and neighbors alike. I even discovered they pair absolutely perfectly with my morning coffee! They were such a delightful creation: simple, utterly delicious, and not overly sweet, but primarily so incredibly festive and visually appealing. These beautiful cut-out cookies definitely served as a form of baking therapy for me during the holiday season, and I was so genuinely happy that all of our loved ones here in Barcelona enjoyed them as much as I did. They’re perfect for any celebration or simply to brighten a day.