Celebrating Eight Years

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A collection of the most popular recipes from the first 8 years includes family, reader and sentimental favorites, with mentions of which ones went viral and have garnered the most comments. It’s a fun stroll down memory lane with a little something for everyone!

 

 

 

 

It’s Leap Day! And as luck would have it, today is also the 8th anniversary of The Fountain Avenue Kitchen. (Although given the date, some may argue that the site is only turning two!)

I began sharing recipes towards the end of 2011 via my Facebook page, but my actual website officially launched on February 29, 2012. My friend, Kim, who was far more tech-savvy than me, sat beside me at my computer (she literally had to teach me how to cut and paste!) and helped create a site that reflected my personal style and desire to share recipes that I thought others might enjoy as much as my family did.

Kim even created my original logo. I also remember Kim complimenting some of my early photos, and mentioning that as I take more of them, I’d likely surprise myself as to how the quality would improve over time. I had no photography skills, thought my iPhone photos looked pretty good all things considered, and couldn’t imagine doing any better. Looking back at those early photos, I chuckle at how bad some of them were and how Kim was absolutely right. I’m still not high tech, but practice has helped!

Suffice it to say that I never imagined where this little idea of mine would take me. In the early days, someone asked if I had a business plan. Though my background was in business, I had absolutely no plan. I replied that my “plan” was to do what I was doing to the best of my ability and see where it led.

In fact, that road led to various states, special events, a Sunday newspaper column, and so much more. Plus I have exciting news, coming soon, that will enhance what I provide on these pages and beyond. Yay!

I’ve learned a lot, but there is no doubt in my mind that the real value has been the connections I’ve made within my community and with my readers both near and far. When I test recipes until they are just right and type the words on these pages, I am 100% thinking of YOU.

I value all the emails, comments, and thoughtful mentions when I see you out and about. There have been far more ups than downs, and I have my incredible readers to thank. It’s safe to say I never would have stuck with this labor of love if not for my loyal, caring, altogether fabulous readers. ❤️

After you peruse the following recipes and photos, I’d love for you to comment as to your favorite recipes. And feel free to mention what you’d like to see more of in the coming weeks, months, and years!

 

 

 

Most viewed recipes of all time

#1 most viewed recipe: Crispy Baked Eggplant

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my incredible grandmother, Glad Langford (pictured below with my equally fabulous grandfather, Harry). She was the inspiration behind this blog as well as how it got its name. My grandparents lived on Fountain Avenue, and it was in their small (but most efficient!) galley kitchen that I learned not only now to cook, but how food connects all of us and is a wonderful way to show someone you care.

Recipes that have consistently trended over the holidays:

1. 3-Ingredient Cinnamon Ornaments
2. Peanut Butter Eggs
3. Coconut Cream Eggs
4. Easy Hand & Body Sugar Scrub
5. My grandmother’s Sausage & Egg Casserole
6. Overnight Sticky Buns
7. Magical Reindeer Food
8. Spooky Spaghetti Stuffed Peppers 
9. April Fool’s Punch and Meatloaf Cake (the latter is rather delicious made this way, too!)
10. Parmesan Crusted Potatoes

 

Recipes that make up the top 12 in terms of most views when looking at just the last year:

1. Simple Vanilla Syrup
2. Easy Hand  & Body Sugar Scrub
3. 3-Ingredient Protein Cookies (with optional add-ins)
4. Breakfast Sausage Patties
5. Spring and Summer Avocado Toast
6. Whole Roasted Chicken
7. No-Sugar Homemade Jam
8. Homemade Lattes (and how to froth milk without a fancy gadget)
9. Amish Baked Oatmeal
10. Speedy Cherry Tomato Sauce
11. Lipton Onion Soup Mix copycat recipe
12. Homemade Taco Seasoning

Recipes that have generated the most comments:

1. Orange Vinegar (a green cleaner)
2. Jens’ Incredible Baked Meatballs
3. Crispy Baked Eggplant
4. Kathleen’s Low-Carb Cottage Pancakes
5. Crunchy Top Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
6. Slow Roasted Whole Chicken
7. Overnight No-Cook Oatmeal Yogurt Cups
8. No-Sugar Homemade Jam
9. 2-Ingredient Crispy Coconut Macaroons
10. Southern with a Twist Cornbread 

 The 12 most pinned recipes of all time:

1. Spring and Summer Avocado Toast
2. Cinnamon Toast Pumpkin Seeds
3. Tomato Tuna Melts
4. Oven Baked Brown Rice
5. 3-Ingredient Protein Cookies (with optional add-ins)
6.  Jens’ Incredible Baked Meatballs,
7. Smoked Paprika Aioli 
8. Breakfast Sausage Patties
9. Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets and this Oatmeal Packet Mug Muffin (which works with any instant oatmeal packet)
10. Low Country Shrimp Boil
11. Slow Roasted Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
12. Small Batch Canned Peaches

Sentimental Favorites:

1. Anything that connects with family and friends… Sandy’s Tomato Pie, Barbecue Sandwiches like my grandmother used to make them, my sister-in-law’s favorite soup and so many more
2. My original baked oatmeal recipe, which connected me with so many readers and even won a national contest!
3. Gluten-free recipes, many of which I originally created for my dad when there weren’t many good store-bought options available, but have served so many others (GF or not) in the years since. Perfecting GF Mac & Cheese and birthday cake (this cake, too) were early highlights!
4. Favorite Things posts, which I’ve been sharing monthly for about a year and a half, began thanks to reader requests and the feedback I receive from them is always so positive. It’s fun to talk about favorite books, podcasts, kitchen features, holiday and hostess gifts and whatever else might add something useful to our day-to-day lives

 

In reality, my list of “favorites” could go on and on. Digging into my blog archives is like rummaging through an old recipe box. You come across old recipes you haven’t made in ages but the memories they elicit feel so recent and tangible. The pages of this blog might lack the smudges and grease splatters that mark the old recipe cards, but the stories and comments left by readers make them every bit as precious and time-honored to me.

Thank you again for sticking with me, and cheers to the next eight…and beyond! 🥂