No surprise you loved this one! It's fun to make, fun to eat, and so very pretty. When my mom requested that I bring fruit to her family Christmas party ... but as an appetizer, not a salad ... this is what we made. And it disappeared so fast, like holiday magic! Clearly, it was a hit with your families, too. FaLaLaLaLa ...

My husband and I created this gorgeous layered salad when we were searching for a new, unique alternative to our longtime-fave "original Christmas Salad" and even to our cute Christmas tree-shaped holiday salad. This one was a runaway hit at our family party, too! Based on the retro 1950's-era picnic salads, it's a terrific make-ahead option for any party or Christmas dinner buffet.

I honestly wasn't sure what you guys would think of me sharing this recipe. It's an old, old family recipe that traces back to a yellowing recipe card written in my Grandma's hand. It is absolutely the comfort food of my childhood. But would it still appeal to my readers today, probably close to a century after my Grandma first made it? Turns out ... it's still a winner! And I've received some lovely notes from people who fondly remember this recipe from their own childhoods, too. Truly special.

Aaaaaaaahhhhh ... this one. I am 100% NOT surprised you loved this. It is hands-down, without question, our family's ultimate celebration meal, year after year after year. Birthdays, Valentine's Day, school milestones. If we want to celebrate, this is the recipe we make. I'm so happy that it's finding a special place at your family's table, too!

Another recipe that we've got cued on repeat. It's ultra-easy, and great to make ahead in big batches. Savory and comforting and versatile, perfect literally ANY time of day. So much more complex and delicious than regular ol' beans and rice! It was taught to us by a dear Costa Rican exchange student who lived with us, and who explained that, although it's most commonly associated with breakfast, you'll actually find it on Costa Rican tables (and on ours!) for any meal or snack, all day long.

If you have busy mornings, this make-ahead, nutrition-filled recipe will be a game-changer! One of my husband's absolute favorite breakfasts (along with those original Energy Balls) as he rushes off to work each morning. Maybe best of all? There isn't any sugar or other added sweeteners needed at all. Oh! And you can even make big batches and freeze 'em in handy individual portions. (That's what I usually do!) Easiest mornings EVER!

First, you guys were raving fans of our "basic" Cucumber Water (the #3 recipe of 2022) ... and then you fell for the spin of Lemon Lime Cucumber Water (the #2 recipe of 2023). Sooooo ... I guess it's no surprise to find this refreshing idea in the annual Top 10 list, too. What is always surprising, when we're working on recipes like these in our test kitchen, is that there's actually a lot more to perfecting such simple recipes than you'd think. I mean ... it's water. But every single time, we work through so many tests to get the balance of flavors precisely right, and of course, we share all those tips and tricks with you, so your water is refreshingly alluring and deliciously sippable, from the first swig to the very last!

Fresh fruit is such a welcome addition to holiday menus. Everyone is so thankful for something refreshing amidst all the heavier options at most Christmas meals and potlucks. But if you're like me, you want holiday fruit to look ... well, holiday-worthy. This gorgeous fruit platter is insanely easy to make, but looks extra-festive. Bonus: you can make it completely ahead of time, and we've got ideas for swapping in other fruits you might like to try.

As I've unabashedly said before, I've really become a salad dressing snob. Homemade is just SO much better than store-bought! And although I make my beloved Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette and Italian Red Wine Vinaigrette ALL.the.TIME., I needed a light-colored vinaigrette that wouldn't mess with the pretty colors of my summer Peach Salad. This light-colored version of balsamic dressing was the answer! Lightly tangy and subtly sweet, it's addictively delicious, and ready in about 3 minutes flat!

I adore one-pot dinners and sheet pan meals. So very easy on busy nights, with minimal cleanup later. PERFECT! This meal-in-one features succulently tender chicken breasts, potatoes and green beans, all seasoned with a blend of Italian herbs and spices. Mmmmm ... and did I mention the melty parmesan cheese? Then, as if it couldn't get any better, your one-pan dinner gets topped off with a vibrant caprese topping with tomatoes, chunks of fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil, balsamic vinegar, and a little pop of garlic. Yeah, it's seriously GOOD. Plus, it's easy to accommodate any picky eaters you might have, since everyone can choose their veggies, and you can even serve the caprese topping on the side. Win!