Google is kind of a scary crazy thing, isn’t it? It knows everything! And I mean everything! I got an unprompted weather update for San Francisco the day before my husband flew there for a business trip. A couple of weeks ago when my sister’s father-in-law opened up the Google search window, that clever and ever-changing Google icon was decorated with birthday balloons, wishing him a happy birthday (that kind of freaked him out!). I’m pretty sure Google even knows when I’m out of toilet paper. But if you can get past the Big Brother is Watching creepy side of it, Google is actually a pretty remarkable tool. I love when it gives me automatic updates on flights when I’ve got family flying in town. Or when I open my computer and it conveniently reminds me that I need to book my tickets to Costa Rica (yes, I particularly love that one…).  And what’s really cool is that I know exactly which are the top recipes and posts on The Spicy Apron. I can tell whether people love Brussels Sprouts as much as our family does. (Yes!) Whether others are looking for an alternative healthy pre-dinner snack like Chocolate Covered Grapes. (Evidently not, even though they’re really good!) Or whether the hummus trend is still going strong with my Hummus Chicken recipe. (Most definitely!)

My year-end analysis revealed some interesting, some typical, and some surprising results. The top five recipes and posts (as reported to me by Big Brother himself Google showed that my readers are as varied in tastes and interests as I am. Some were expected, and some were complete surprises. Without further adieu, here they are:

Top Recipes This Year

#5  Ten Camping Food Planning Tips

This one surprised me. I LOVE camping and I’m so excited that my readers do too! Expect more camping food and tips in the coming year. Yay!

#4  Piña Coladas in the Tropics

Another surprise! And again, I’m excited about this one. I’m glad to know everyone needs a tropical holiday as much as I do!

#3  Who Knew Spaghetti Sauce Was This Easy?

Not a big surprise here. Who doesn’t love a great (and easy) homemade spaghetti sauce?

#2 Goat Cheese Appetizer with Bing Cherry Wine Reduction

It’s not a shocker that this is in the top five – it’s easy, it’s beautiful, and it’s convenient –  but I didn’t expect it to be as high as #2. And with New Year’s Celebrations this week, it might actually take over the #1 spot!

And here it is… this year’s #1 recipe on The Spicy Apron (kind of a no-brainer)…

#1  Oven Roasted Potatoes – a symbol of love

Really… roasted potatoes are the ultimate in comfort food. This was a huge hit on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. I guess people just love their potatoes! You’ll see many more potato iterations in the coming year – I promise!

Thanks to all of you who have made The Spicy Apron possible! Enjoy these top recipes (and try to make one or two of them… Maybe start with the Piña Colada?) I wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year, and look forward to bringing you another year of fun, interesting, and tasty tidbits of life and food!