• Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
      • Breakfast Breads
    • Beverages
      • Boozy Drinks
      • Non-Alcoholic
    • Condiments
      • Dressings Chutneys & Jams
      • Marinades & Rubs
      • Sauces & Pestos
    • Desserts
      • Cakes
      • Candy
      • Chocolate
      • Cookies/Bars
      • Crumbles/Crisps
      • Ice Cream/Frozen Treats
      • Pies/Tarts
      • Puddings/Custards
    • Entrees
      • Meat
        • Beef
        • Chicken/Poultry
        • Lamb
        • Pork
        • Seafood
          • Crab
          • Fish
          • Other
          • shrimp
        • Pasta
        • Grains
        • Sandwiches, Tacos & Pizzas
        • Soups, Stews & Braises
    • Salads
    • Sides
      • Breads
    • Vegan/Vegetarian
  • About
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
    • Press
    • Disclaimers
    • Privacy Policy
  • Kitchen Resources

Garlic & Zest

Gourmet Cooking at Home!

Most Popular Recipes of 2017 & Before and After Photos

114shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Email
  • Tumblr
  • Mix

As we near the end of 2017, it’s fun to look back and see what’s been accomplished over the past 12 months.  It’s been a busy year for me, not just creating new recipes, but revisiting some old ones (as in remaking them and re-photographing).  Today, not only am I sharing the most popular new recipes of 2017 from Garlic & Zest, but I’ve also assembled some truly groan-worthy “before” photos of recipes I shared when I first started blogging (in 2013) side by side with their recently rephotographed counterparts. If I had known how bad my photography was when I started — I would have called it quits right then.  I guess ignorance IS BLISS.

 

Without further ado… The Top Recipes (by month) of 2017:

 

January

clam chowder in a bowl.

Authentic New England Clam Chowder – made with fresh clams, a divine broth — and BACON.

 

February

Mardi Gras Grilled Oysters

Mardi Gras Grilled Oysters – This is a winner because of its simplicity, I think!

 

March

chicken sates with cucumber avocado relish

Chicken Sates with Avocado Cucumber Relish – You can’t go wrong with meat on a stick and the peanut sauce gives it a whole new dimension.

 

April

key lime mousse tart

Key Lime Mousse Tart – This is two desserts in one.  Refrigerate it for a creamy, light, melt-in-your-mouth treat – or freeze it and serve as a delicious semi-freddo!

 

May

lobster bisque in a bowl

Lobster Bisque From Scratch – There’s a “wow” factor with lobster bisque and this one doesn’t disappoint.  No wonder it’s a 2017 favorite!

 

June

Chilled Cucumber Soup

Chilled Cucumber Soup – This light summer soup is healthy and vibrant topped with pico de gallo. Not what you want in the middle of a snowstorm, but definitely a must for June!

 

July

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream

Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream – A creamy banana ice cream with peanut butter magic shell swirls. #doesntsuck!

 

August

Grilled Chicken on a platter.

Spatchcock Jerk Chicken with Sweet Curry – Layer after layer of flavor.  I could seriously eat this once a week!

 

September

Shepherd's pie on a plate.

Homestyle Shepherd’s Pie – Quintessential comfort food with a meaty filling and creamy mashed potatoes!

 

October

Italian Wedding Soup

Homemade Italian Wedding Soup – When the weather gets cold, this is a definite MUST.

 

November

banana pumpkin streusel quick bread

Banana Pumpkin Streusel Quick Bread – Um, yes – it’s that good!

 

December

raspberry almond cream cheese braid

Raspberry Almond Cream Cheese Braid – This one has only been up on the blog for about a week and it got by far the most comments and likes…  I guess I’ve found your sweet spot!

 

And Now… The Good, The Bad and The UGLY:

Most of the before shots were taken in my first year of blogging — others — I have no excuse for…

 

Well, that wraps up 2017.  I hope it was a good one for you! Also, check out the list from 2016 and this one from the future — 2018. Wishing you good eating in 2018!  Happy New Year!

 

Don’t Forget To “Pin It” & Share!

 

Get the most popular recipes of 2017 with seasonal picks for every month of the year. Also, see before and after food pics from "Eww" to "Wow"! #bestof #yearinreview #bestrecipesof2017 #beforeandafter #foodporn #souprecipes #clamchowder #keylimetart #shepherdspie #oysters #oystersonthehalfshell #Newyearseve #bestfood #foodphotography #foodbeforeandafter #beginnerfoodphotography

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

114shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Email
  • Tumblr
  • Mix

General// Miscellaneous15 Comments

« Coffee Buzz Martini
Hoppin’ John »

Comments

  1. Tabitha @ Tabitha Talks Food says

    January 8, 2018 at 7:27 AM

    Happy 2018! Your recipes look so delicious! I love the before and after food photography. It’s such a good idea to post progress like that! I’ve also come such a long way from when I first started. Enjoy your week! 🙂

    Reply
  2. heather johnson says

    January 4, 2018 at 9:53 AM

    uh – my before and afters are much more hideous than that!!!! i’ll have to do a post like this too! your befores look like my after!!!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      January 4, 2018 at 9:55 AM

      LOL! You’re too funny — I’ve been working on my photography a lot, so I’m happy for any improvement.

      Reply
  3. Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says

    December 29, 2017 at 3:57 PM

    Your before pictures are just a jaw dropping as your after pictures, you’re very talent and I’m drooling over a key lime mousse tart.

    Reply
  4. Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says

    December 29, 2017 at 3:07 PM

    You couldn’t take a bad photo if you tried! Even your “before” photos are mouthwatering. What fabulous work you did this year, and I loved hearing you on Elaine’s podcast. Congrats, Lisa!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      December 29, 2017 at 3:44 PM

      That podcast was a lot of fun — and Elaine is so easy to talk to.

      Reply
  5. Melissa says

    December 29, 2017 at 2:30 PM

    Those are some gorgeous photos from 2017! Love seeing the before and afters!

    Reply
  6. Catherine says

    December 29, 2017 at 1:46 PM

    Everything looks wonderful but I’m craving those oysters! Happy New Year, Lisa!

    Reply
  7. Sharon Rigsby says

    December 29, 2017 at 1:19 PM

    Hi Lisa, I enjoyed your recap and especially the before and after photos. But, I must say, your before photos don’t really look all that bad. I’ve actually been going through some of mine and they are really, really, really, bad! I’m redoing the worst right now, and hopefully can get most of them redone in the next few weeks!
    Anyway, great job and Happy New Year!
    Sharon

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      December 29, 2017 at 2:22 PM

      Thank you, Sharon I’m glad you liked the list — I appreciate you’re kind words on the photos — re-shooting all of them is a work in progress. I’m actually rephotographing another recipe today!

      Reply
  8. Beth says

    December 29, 2017 at 1:07 PM

    Geez, you’re pretty hard on yourself! You should see some of my befores!! Yours look professional compared to those! Great group of recipes this year, Lisa! I want them all!

    Reply
  9. Sabrina Clementine says

    December 29, 2017 at 9:26 AM

    I love those before and afters, although I’d be happy if my photos looked like your “before”s! So many fantastic recipes….i need to get cooking! Cheers to 2018!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      December 29, 2017 at 11:12 AM

      I cringe when I see the befores but the afters make me feel like I’ve improved.

      Reply
  10. Katrina says

    December 29, 2017 at 8:43 AM

    Can’t believe the year is about over! You’ve had so many great recipes this year – can’t wait to see what you come up with next year! Your photography has certainly improved, but I honestly wouldn’t say it was “bad” to begin with! Your photos are always great!

    Reply
    • Lisa says

      December 29, 2017 at 11:11 AM

      You are too kind, Katrina!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Meet Lisa

Lisa

Calling all cooks! You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to get a delicious, healthy meal on the table! At Garlic & Zest, I’ll show you how to make hundreds of seasonal, fresh recipes and indulgent comfort foods with easy step-by-step instructions and photos to help you master the dish.

Let’s get cooking!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Recent Posts

  • Quick & Easy Spiced Apple Cider Tea
  • Easy Cutout Spiced Cookies For Christmas
  • Lemony Chickpea Tuna Salad with Quinoa and Kale
  • Easy Overnight Sausage Egg & Cheese Stuffed Bread Strata
  • Soft & Chewy Coconut Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies
Amazon Affiliate:
Garlic & Zest is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Featured On

Amazon Affiliate: Garlic & Zest is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Work with me    Disclaimer

Copyright © 2021 GarlicAndZest - Designed by TailoredDesignsCo

Copyright © 2021 · Savory Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

114shares