The New & The Old 2024

I’m dropping my year-end 2024 review into your inbox and on my site, and we’re just touching on the end of March 2025. I apologize for the delay, but it’s become a tradition to post out my Top 10 most popular recipes every year, so late or not, here it is! And by the way, Happy New Year, belated!!

 

I had quite a year last year. I know I’m not alone here. Crazy stuff going on everywhere. I can’t help you with politics, wars, government shakedowns, or any of that stuff! (But if you want a dose of comfort from the kitchen, you’ve come to the right place!)

As for me, my small “family” of three experienced a profound loss. While still recovering from a broken leg and several surgeries, I received heartbreaking news: my eight-year-old Labrador, Chance, was diagnosed with brain cancer. I considered all options, but in the end my choice was to spare him from further pain and confusion.

Any hope of giving him a memorable farewell, filled with joyous activities like swimming and fetching, were dashed. Instead, his final day was spent with treats and cuddles. With the support of my brother, who came to assist us (as I was still reliant on a walker), we accompanied Chance to the vet where he peacefully passed.

Otto (Macchiato), the kitten above, snuggled with Chance, is a full-grown cat now. He’s staying with my niece, Kaitlin, while I recover from yet another surgery on my leg. His antics and cuddles helped me soldier on!

Something popped into my head: I do have one piece of advice. When you get older, don’t fall down – and if you do, make sure it’s on the left side! Protect your driving leg if at all possible!

The biggest thing that’s helped me to soldier on is that despite the viciousness, chaos, and fear running rampant in the news and social media, is all the kindness, help, and support from friends and neighbors – and even more unexpectedly, from total strangers.

It’s easy to fall into self-pity at times. To wonder (and as I write this, it makes no sense, but maybe it’s human nature to look for reasons) what I’ve ever done to deserve this lifestyle change.

It’s hard to stay there when almost every time I turn around, someone is offering a hand with a deed, small or large. It’s a little ironic, admittedly, but it’s enough to make me wonder what I’ve ever done to deserve such acts of kindness. It’s truly been a humbling experience and one that easily brings me to tears.

Back to the Food!

But let’s get back to the food, shall we? We bloggers pride ourselves on developing marvelous, sometimes trend-setting recipes, often tested over and over (thank you, family and friends who have been guinea pigs!), so this year, my top 10 was a total surprise to me.

Most of them celebrate simple, traditional, and old-school dishes. Some have earned their spot here as a personal archive for my family and myself, especially in this age of Artificial Intelligence. Others emerged in response to requests from readers like you.

Initially, I had very mixed feelings about this list, but I can see, just by their popularity, the value of preserving these simple, homestyle recipes – as well as the value in serving up newer creations!

So, new or old, I hope you enjoy and thank you for being here!

The Top 10 Recipes from 2024:

Without further ado, as they say, here are my most popular recipes of 2024.

10) First shared in 2019, Restaurant Style Mexican Ground Beef slowly grew in popularity and this year broke through to the top ten! While I’ll never turn my nose up at classic American-style tacos (sometimes, I hafta have one), this richly seasoned, ridiculously easy beef is a game-changer.

Tuck it into tacos, roll it into burritos, or layer it into enchiladas—you won’t look back

9) These Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes were a request, and I added them to my site in 2020. They’ve been gaining popularity steadily and have now secured a spot in the top 10.

Just like Grandma made them – these layers of buttery, tender potatoes laced with thinly sliced onions, baked to a golden perfection are pure nostalgia.

8) Coming in at #8, my Cowboy Candy Sweet Hot Pickled Jalapenos have gone from a slow burn (pun intended) to a fan favorite! Originally a sleeper hit from 2017, they’re now celebrating four years in my top 10—and for good reason.

These easy, small-batch refrigerator pickles are a breeze to make year-round and downright addictive. Try them piled onto a cracker with a thick schmear of cream cheese, and you’ll see why I’m obsessed!

7) Old Fashioned Chipped Beef Dip is a true classic—it’s been making the rounds at potlucks, family gatherings, and even swanky cocktail parties for as long as I can remember. This creamy, salty, utterly addictive dip (or cheeseball, if that’s your style) can be served warm or cold, and trust me, it never goes out of fashion.

I shared it on my site in 2022, and now? It’s officially earned its spot in the top 10, proving everything old is new again.

6) Landing at #6 on the list: my French Onion Soup Burgers. Adding Lipton’s Onion Soup Mix to burger patties isn’t exactly groundbreaking (my Mom was doing it back in the 70s), but these beauties take things to a whole new level. Think rich, caramelized onions kissed with a splash of sherry or brandy (ooh la la!) and topped with melty, gooey cheese—absolute burger perfection.

Originally shared in 2018, these juicy, flavor-packed burgers have now spent five years holding strong in the top 10—and for good reason!

5) Yanno That Old Lipton Onion Soup Pot Roast Recipe? I know you know it! It’s a classic I shared on a whim one cold, drizzly September day back in 2018. Guess what? It’s been sitting pretty in the top 10 ever since!

If there’s ever been a recipe that defines comfort food, this is it: tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef, creamy potatoes and carrots, and the rich, savory gravy that steals the show. This pot roast has been a family tradition for generations— Grandma made it, and my Mom taught me how to make it when I was a teenager. I’ve been passing it along ever since!

4) I was so frustrated when I couldn’t locate the Classic Lipton’s Onion Soup Dip one day back in 2017 that I shared it here. (Search engines have come a long way since then!) In the meantime who knew this tried and true recipe would hit my top 10 and stay steady for the last few years?

Creamy, cool, delish, and no effort- this is so much better than anything you can buy. Just stir together onion soup mix and sour cream, let it sit for a bit if you have the willpower, and serve!

3) A personal favorite is the Original Fat Burning Cabbage Soup. First shared in 2017 (yes, yet another recipe from that year), its popularity surges every January. The shocker came in 2020 when it cracked the top 10 for the year, and it hasn’t budged since!

This recipe is a breeze to whip up, using everyday ingredients (budget-friendly alert!) to create a hearty batch with minimal fuss. Plus, it’s freezer-friendly, making it a meal prep champion!

2) After my daughter ate at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, she couldn’t stop raving about their legendary potatoes – and I had to recreate them! Posted in 2018, Ruth’s Chris Potatoes au Gratin Copycat has been a top-shared recipe ever since.

These are a testament to simplicity and flavor—they’re quick to make (the method knocks about an hour off standard versions), and their cheesy goodness never fails to impress.

1) I love how my post on Canned Refried Beans, Restaurant Style has taken on a life of its own! There’s plenty of room for improvement in a humble can of refried beans, and it’s been so much fun hearing everyone’s reactions—and their own creative twists—over on Pinterest. (Yes, Pinterest is still a thing!)

Originally posted in 2016, this simple little “recipe” shot into my Top 10 by 2017 and has held its spot ever since. Not bad for a can of beans, right?

Knocked Off the Top 10:

Three recipes were nudged out of my Top 10 this year, or you might say they fell from glory! They’re still ranking high in views but didn’t quite make the cut.

My Steakhouse Mushrooms break all the rules! Crowd the pan, cover them, add a little water if needed and what you have is stellar, golden brown deliciousness. Scottish Oatcake Pancakes are a longtime family favorite. I’ve been making them since the early ’80s. Easy, Cheesy Broccoli Skillet is broccoli literally swimming in cheese and is NOT for the faint of heart! This is crazy good!

Those recipes join those that fell off the Top 10 last year, and these are too good to be forgotten!

Dropping out of the Top 10 last year is my version of Million Dollar Dip. This easy dip immediately hit the top 10 in 2017 and stayed there until 2023. It almost made a comeback this past year, ranking #12.

The other was my fabulous Doctored Up Baked Beans. These are incredible; a little sticky, a little sweet with long-cooked homemade flavor. They’re ooey, gooey, too, in the best way.

Too Good to Be Missed:

Every year I highlight a favorite recipe on my site that’s never gotten the love from you guys!! This year, I’d like to bring your attention to Waterfall Pork.

First posted in March of 2020 (that was a bad time for us all), it’s only had a handful of views since. Waterfall Pork is juicy, succulent, highly marinated pork, using simple Asian ingredients that can be picked up at any well-stocked grocery.

Minutes to make (although the longer marinated the better) and minutes to cook – it’s grilled, indoors or out. Serve it with rice, a simple fresh veggie “salad”, and, if you dare, a searing hot Crying Tiger Sauce for dipping. Ya gotta love a meal that’s flavorful and family-friendly but can go full-on crazy adult for those who wish!

The Best to You in the New Year:

So that’s a wrap for 2024, and here’s wishing the best to you and yours for the remainder of 2025. If nothing else, it promises to be a year of change.

This year, for the first time, I’m making a change and leaving you with the simple Serenity Prayer. It’s another old classic, isn’t it? It’s helped me through many tough times over the years.

Take care, all, and Happy New Year.

Mollie and Otto

 

 

 

 

 

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