In case you were waiting for it.…my annual “Favorite foods, supermarket products, restaurants and destinations of 2023” is coming next week. I’m still trying to pare the list down to a manageable level. In the meantime, I’m sharing a couple of my favorite recipes from the past year that you’ll definitely want to try in 2024.
You probably already figured a soup recipe is included, but believe me when I say, this is no ordinary soup. Filled with all of my favorite ingredients – sun dried tomatoes, pasta, garlic and shrimp (although the original recipe calls for chicken, I often substitute shrimp to simulate my favorite Sun-Dried Pasta and Shrimp dish) it’s a feast for the eyes and palate.
The viral (wildly popular for those not familiar with online terminology) Italian chopped sandwich was a favorite of millions in 2023. I’ve already shared the recipe, so I won’t reprint it. A close second is the also-popular smash burger. It may appear to be a regular ol’ burger, but there’s a special technique that makes it extra good. I wasn’t around in the 1950’s, but many liken it to burgers prepared at neighborhood burger joints of that era.
So, there you have it- my favorite recipes of 2023. Here’s to discovering many more food finds and sharing them with you in 2024!
Favorite Things Soup
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes packed in olive oil with Italian herbs (found near the jarred pasta sauces in the supermarket)
1 tablespoon of the seasoned olive oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 garlic cloves - minced
6 cups chicken broth
2 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
2 cups chopped spinach
8 ounces small bite-size pasta (shells, macaroni, etc.)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Add 1/2 cup of the sun-dried tomatoes to a small bowl; set aside. Pour 1 tablespoon of the seasoned olive oil from the sun-dried tomato jar. Add the seasoned oil to a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add regular olive oil and onion to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring often, for two minutes.
Add broth, milk, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Bring the liquid to a simmer. Add chicken, spinach, and pasta. Simmer until the pasta is tender (around 10 minutes). Add the parmesan cheese. Stir until incorporated and serve.
2023’s Famous Smash Burger
Prepare Patties – Divide 1 1/2 pounds of ground chuck and roll into 8 equal-size balls (3 ounces each), cover, and refrigerate until ready to cook.
Make Sauce – Stir together 1/3 cup mayo, 1 teaspoon mustard and 1 teaspoon ketchup and set aside.
Prep Toppings – fully prep toppings ahead to assemble the burgers right away while the patties are hot off the grill.
Toast buns – lightly butter the cut side of buns and toast on a griddle or skillet over medium heat until golden brown. Transfer to a rack.
Cook patties – increase heat of a griddle or cast-iron skillet to medium-high. Depending on surface area, place 2 to 4 cold balls of meat onto the hot surface. Working quickly, cover each piece with a sheet of parchment paper and smash each into a thin patty using a burger press or spatula. Remove parchment paper, season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, add a small amount of sauce, and flip. Sear for 2 minutes on the first side and two minutes on the second side; continue until burgers are no longer pink in the center.
Add cheese – place a slice of cheese onto half of the patties and top with a second patty. Press down on top burger for a minute until cheese is melted; remove from heat.
Enjoy: Serve warm on toasted buns, with toppings arranged on the bottom bun. Make more sauce to serve with burgers if desired.
Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer and travel agent from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.