2016: A Year in Review

matt-and-bianca-2017

Dear 2016,

Let’s be honest: many people consider you the worst year in a very long time. Almost everyone say they are sick of you. It’s true there has been some horrible things that happened this year. Some awful, unbelievable, sad events.

But you were very good to me, and I will forever remember you fondly. You are not all bad. In fact, you’ve been my favorite year so far.

This year, I got engaged to my best friend and the love of my life. I spent plenty of quality time with friends and family. I started a new job. And I travelled a lot.

In New York, I ate the best bagel sandwich I’ve ever had (a salt bagel with jalapeno cream cheese and smoked salmon) and adorable little pork buns that make all other buns seem inferior.

momofuku pork buns

I went animal-style in San Francisco and filled up on wine in Napa.

innout

frogs leap napa

I had a great New England summer, filled with trips to Portland, Portsmouth, and Martha’s Vineyard, ice cream cones, and Red Sox games.

I went to Asheville, North Carolina for the first time, and took advantage of all the breweries and thriving food scene.

For this blog, I was given so many opportunities, from hosting a very fun Golden Globes Party, creating original recipes, enjoying local restaurant dishes, to hosting a hotdog and sausage party.

chocolate table lindt

andouille-pimento-mac-and-cheese

(That’s the Andouille Pimiento Mac and Cheese I made for the party, and it was huge hit!)

Some of my favorite recipes this year: I made the ice cream of youth, the cake of my dreams, and something by Julia Child.

filipino avocado coconut ice cream

olive oil dulce de leche cake

julia child chocolate almond cake

Oh and I was on TV!! The Foodie List premiered in Canada and is currently showing in Asia and Europe. When it’s showing in the US, I’ll let you all know. In the meantime, you can watch clips on YouTube (I’m in the Boston episodes)

the foodie list boston_bianca

So as 2016 is closing, I’m choosing to focus on the good.

My wish for all of us is that we cherish the present, and be kind to one another. And here’s something else to brighten your day: remember that we still have Stevie. I’m really inspired by Slate’s Wonder Week, which is a reminder to appreciate artists who inspire us, while they’re still around. “We shouldn’t wait until our favorite artists are gone to celebrate them. Now’s the time to toast Stevie Wonder” And oh how I love him so, so cheers to Stevie. And Cheers to Year That Was, and The Year That’s Ahead.

Thank you so much for reading my blog, for all your support and encouragement, for making my recipes and sharing with your loved ones. Thank you from the bottom of my chocolate-covered heart.

Have a healthy and happy New Year! <3

With love,

Bianca

Previous year recaps are here: 2010, 2011, 2012, 20132014, 2015

 

 

   

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