Hello again. It is I, Derek, the lucky husband of Chef in Training, here again today to shed some male perspective and sift through the recipes to bring you my personal favorites of the past year.
I cant beleive it has been 4 months since my original Hubby Favorite post. I have been itching to do another one of these, especially since my wife has made so many more super awesome recepies.
Just a quick recap, as husband of Chef in Training, I get to try 90% of the recipes that Nikki posts on her blog every day. With the need to always bring you new recipes, I rarely get to eat the same meal twice. I have asked Nikki to stamp some of the best ones that I like as a “Hubby Favorite,” so that on the blessed day when she says, “What do you want for dinner?” I have a quick reference to what makes my tummy filled with ultimate joy and splendor.
But before I dive into food, I want to give a sincere thank you to all of you. My dear wife informed me that she posted and shared my GBS story on Christmas Eve. I have read through each and every comment, email and facebook post you sent in return. It was very moving to see so many complete strangers, who I have not met, care and pray on my behalf. Thank you.
Now, without further ado, here is my TOP 12 “Hubby favorites” for 2012.
This does not include any recipes that I have posted in the previous Hubby Favorite post, so be sure and check that one out for some of my ALL-TIME favorites. And Yes, in case you were wondering, Chicken Pillows are still the all-time best recipe on this blog. They have yet to be de-throwned.
The following are in no particular order until you reach the final 3.
Creamy Scalloped Potatoes: Nikki says I have 4 stomachs, which is true when I eat these potatoes. Just having 3rds and 4ths wont cut it… Heck, just pass me the pan. Pretend you never saw them. My youngest brother always jokes that the phrase “There’s Never Enough” will be written on my tombstone one day as my motto of life. Burry me with these potatoes and you will have your case in point.
Broccoli Cheddar Soup: On a cold night, before my wife pops in her favorite movie, “My Best Friend’s Wedding” for the millionth time… eating this soup warms my heart and gives me the energy to last through that movie one more time.
Snickers Caramel Apple Salad: This ain’t your mommy’s salad. Talk about taste bud adrenaline. To sum it up. Eat this and you will be able to do things you didn’t think you could… go on, surprise yourself.
Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes: Two great things combine to make the ultimate manwich.
Baked Crispy Ranch Chicken: It’s like there’s a party in my mouth and everyone is invited (except family, reletives, other guys, other girls… so maybe not everyone) Between this meal and my wife, Im good.
Avocado Salsa: I finally realized why we were being invited to so many different parties. Yep, this stuff. It disappears almost as soon as we arrive. Eat your heart out.
Honey Mustard Glazed Chicks in a Blanket: 8 out of 5 boys will become men with beards after eating this manly meal. Yep, its that good. And yes, those are very accurate statistics.Wrapped in testosterone and bacon from me to you. You can thank me later.
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup: This is for anyone who wants to feel they are eating in a 5 star resturant and satisfy their refined pallets.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta: Chicken with bacon and ranch in a pasta. Nuff Said.
These last three are my top picks in this series. Please read them in the voice of Sean Conerry as it will give the best effect for what I am about to share with you.
#3. White Chocolate Craisin Cheesecake Pudding Cookies: Picture yourself sitting in a recliner watching your favorite movie, while your daughter plays the harp, your son is cleaning the whole kitchen with a smile, the baby is quietly changing its own diper and your spouse is massaging your feet and singing to you in a gorgeous melody as you close your eyes and soak in the heaven around you. Its pretty obvious you made these cookies.
#2. Creamy Cheesy Carrot Casserole: If the mayans had been right and I was locked in a bunker for the rest of my days waiting for the zombie apocalypse to run its course and could only partake of one meal every day, this would be it. But the mayans were wrong so now I have come up with some other reason to make this every day.
#1. BBQ Beef Pie Pockets: Now, picture me dressed like a ninja, doing a huge backflip on my snowboard and singing Gangam Style at the top of my lungs. And that was only my first bite into these BBQ Pockets. I think you get the parallel here. Pure awesomeness. Make this tonight!
I hope you enjoy these as much as I have. Welcome to the New Year. Make a resolution to try and make every one of these recipes this year. Most of them are really simple and dont take very long to do, or so my wife tells me. I don’t cook…. unless its a mean bowl of Ramen. Thank goodness for my wife, right?! Just for the fun of it, if you have any questions for the man behind the Chef in Training please leave a comment. Have a great day and a Happy New Year!
You have outdone yourself with these recipes.
I just love, love, love the simplicity.
PS…the Avocado Salsa is the best thing on this planet! :)
I have tried a few of these recipes and they are delicious ! You are a lucky guy !
I have made most of the recipes, they have made dinner making so much easier THANK YOU!!!
Love the idea of a hubby top favorites list. I am sure the husbands have completely different opinions from the wives!
Omg, looks yummy, but not too healthy. Definately man food. Wanna make the avocado salsa and bbq beef pies (whole wheat)!
Your humor had me in tears! Thank you for that. =]
Holy WOW! You picked some amazing recipes to be your favorites! yum! I’m pinning them all!
I loved this post!! Great imagery, Derek! Nikki, you really are amazing in the kitchen. I pinned this and can’t wait to make it all. Thanks!
Hilarious! Sounds like my husband, he too can make a mean bowl of ramen. I always think that some of the happiest guys on earth are those married to food bloggers!
Wow, what an awesome fare! I am sure every husband would love these wonderful foods!!
No better way to serve my man this week than to include almost every meal on the page. I love these posts! Thanks!
Derek, you are so funny! I love hubby favorites and would love to see it as a monthly post.. You could call it “Hubby Favorite of the month”. Glad you are doing better now! Knuckles for chicken pillows!
I love Derek’s posts! He needs his own blog too, haha. Preeeeetty much need to make one of everything!
Hold on a second . . . . I’m still picturing you dressed like a ninja, doing a huge backflip on your snowboard and singing Gangam Style at the top of your lungs . . . ha ha. Now that I am done laughing my head off, I must say these all sound so good and I’m pretty sure I have already pinned the majority of them, but I’m going to have to trust you on the carrot casserole. I never would have picked that, but since it is in your top 3, I must try it ASAP. I’m shocked, out of all of Nikki’s amazing desserts this year, you have only picked one? You must not have a huge sweet tooth? Any how, be sure to come back soon!
Derek, you are too funny! Thank you for sharing the “Hubby Favorites.” Your descriptions of these recipes are terrific and I can’t wait to make these recipes for my hubby..
Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes. I have tried many of them since I found your site. My family is truly grateful and excited to see what new creations will appear on the dinner table. Blessings to you and your family:)
I think your Husband and my Husband would get a long great!! My Husband would love the chicken wrapped bacon, the cheese steak and scalloped potatoes!! That would be his dream dinner!!
hahahaha your last three statements about each recipe too funny…pinning those for my hubby…which i am sure he is going to love too!!!
My husband and I laughed out loud at this post!
Nice post! Love your blog too! However I think it’s ironic that I’m pinning these recipes while my husband is cooking dinner. teehee
thanks . I needed a mans perspective . I am excited to try these recipes for my husband
awesome recipes ….. even more awesome .. my wife sent me a link to this while i was working, telling me once we are together again ( I’m working in Virginia by myself until I can afford to bring her and the kids down from New York permanently) I should expect all of this ……… I about crashed my car 12 times cause I got sucked into each one of these unbelievable meals ….. avacado salsa might have to be prepared daily and put in my lunch bag …… and “omg I can’t keep saying all those amazing ingredients” cookies ….. nuff said … I too spend my time closing my eyes and imagining that exact scenario playing out while losing myself in the enjoyment of a truly good desert ……. thanks for the hook-up man, I’ve never been into following blogs about much of anything, but I may have to give you and you wife a follow if your going to be throwing all these dream foods out there!