2015 is coming to a close and I'm pretty happy about it. It was a big messy year for me. Some good things happened (although scary), like quitting my job to do blogging full time, and some other good things happened (but sure didn't feel good), like my breakup of a 5 year relationship. I must say 2016 feels like a whole new shiny year to me and I am so very excited to get going on it!
But first... you guessed it, lets review some of the highlights of 2015, and by highlights I mean vegan deliciousness of course.
One of the things I love most about blogging, is waking up to all of the comments from YOU! Everyday I am flooded with comments from people who are loving vegan recipes and there is nothing that makes me happier!
So today, instead of me telling you how awesome my recipes are (hey, it's part of the job!), I am going to let you do the talking.
These are the top 10 most popular recipes of 2015, woot! You voted with your visits, comments, social shares, and drooling all over your keyboard or phone. Shall we take a look? We shall.
10. Creamy Coconut Garlic Mushrooms
This is the very first recipe I posted in 2015, so that's why it could have been such a success (since it had the longest amount of time to build up traffic). Either way, you guys loved it! Use these ridiculously creamy mushrooms as a simple side dish, or you can use them as a base to amp up another dish. My favourite idea from reader Lemons: "pouring it over a really thick slice of crusty bread and eating with a knife and fork". Ummm yes please.
Recipe testers galore! Here is what some of you said about this recipe.
Monique: "I had this the other night with rice and loved it! I only made it with 8 oz of mushrooms on the off chance that I hated it! 16 oz of mushrooms will definitely be going on the next grocery list!"
Andrev: "This is really outstanding – forget take-out!"
Hannah: "This recipe is THE bees’ knees! Thank you for sharing. So so so very delicious! And too easy. Mmm mm!"
9. 5 More Vegan Sandwiches
My post for 5 Vegan Sandwiches took the number 2 spot for most popular recipes of 2014, and I always want to give you guys more of what you like, so 5 MORE sandwiches it was! Turns out you guys really, really like sandwiches, because the new batch made this years list. My favourite sandwich in this bunch is the peanut butter, pear, and coconut, and that's coming from a girl who doesn't even really like pears!
Nicole: ..."I’m all over that BBQ black bean one!"
benilana: "Portobello sammies are one of my faves!"
This post even won me an invite to Brasil!
claudia: "Love your Blog, I’m gonna try the sandwiches first , and then other recipes." ..."P.S. If one day You come to Brasil, be very welcome!!"
8. Vegan Mozzarella Grilled Cheese
Everyone who likes grilled cheese raise your hand! 🙋Just cause we're vegan doesn't mean we don't want that ooey gooey quick fix, and now we both know that you do indeed like sandwiches. Lots of sandwiches. Always more sandwiches!!
I like the way Kimber put it.
Kimber: "This dish is… Well, was.. Amazing. Thank you!"
Need we say more?
7. Vegan Meringue Cookies
If there is one cool discovery of 2015 in the vegan world, it was the discovery of aquafaba. The liquid that's leftover from a can of chickpeas. Don't waste this stuff because it is the most amazing egg white replacer. Not only is it super healthy, it works insanely well! Bakers tried this recipe and told me they were better than "regular" meringues. Win for the vegans.
Laura: "I really can’t believe this worked! I was so skeptical, but these cookies were absolutely amazing! Who would have thought?! :)"
Srivani: ..."absolutely perfect meringues. 3 days after making them, and I’m still giggling over the outcome!"
Gemma: "No one would ever tell these are vegan, really. So delicious!"
6. 16 Vegan Salad Dressings
Now for the epic posts. More recipe bang for your post buck! This post took quite a lot of work, and quite a lot of salads, but in the end, I was able to complete the 1/100/100 challenge thanks to squishing as many recipes as possible into this one post, and you loved it! Never buy salad dressings again, they are so much better homemade.
Laura: "Thank you so much for these amazing dressings! I gave up bottled dressing over two years ago, and now my dressing repertoire is very impressive, thanks to you. I really can’t decide which is my favorite…"
Nancy: "I love you Sam…………:):):) You're the best and such a life saver"
Mary: "The tangy miso dressing is fabulous! One of the best salad dressings I’ve ever had, for sure. Thanks for posting it!"
brucearthurs: "That’s a gorgeous photospread. I could see it as a wall poster."
Karen: "THANK YOU ThANK YOU! I can’t wait to try them all! I am a new vegan and YOU are awesome!"
5. 10 Vegan Dessert Smoothies (That are Secretly Healthy)
For awhile there (like all year actually), I was OBSESSED with smoothies. When I woke up in the morning I would start creating the perfect smoothie in my head before I even got out of bed. While I still love smoothies, I am currently obsessed with dressed-to-the-nines oatmeal. Hmm... more epic post ideas are brewing!
Stephanie: "I made the oatmeal raisin cookie smoothie this morning, and before I even told my kid’s what it was, my son told me it smelled and tasted just like an oatmeal cookie. Recipe win! "
Amy: "I tried the Peanut Butter Cup smoothie for dessert last night. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I’d like that flavor in a smoothie but it was DELICIOUS!"
4. Baked Vegan Zucchini Fritters
Fritters! Who knew this was a thing you were in love with!? Many of my recipes are what I call "guzinta" recipes, because whatever is in the fridge guzinta it. This is one of them, and I am so glad I shared the recipe with you, because it took the spot of number 4 most popular recipe!
Kassy | Enjoying Earth: "These babies will forever be on my go-to list for quick and delicious meals, and I think I am going to make mini fritters for my a party tomorrow night to get some non-vegan opinions"
Leigh: "I made these last night for the first time – OH MAN so good! Thank you for sharing all the yummy!!"
Monique McDowell: "Holy.Crap. I was expecting to like this fritter ok. But then I made a sauce to dip them in and I’m suddenly head over heels for these fritters. This recipe is going into weekly rotation effective immediately!"
3. Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Tofu
It's sweet, it's spicy, it's Sriracha-y. Yessssss. Not only is this sauce just awesome, but I showed you a technique that I picked up where you dredge (isn't dredge a funny sounding word?) the tofu in cornstarch before frying it. This makes a gorgeous crispy shell that is to die for. Takeout, you got nothing on this recipe.
Srivani: "I’ve had this recipe on my reading list for a while, meaning to make it. Well, I finally made this and darn, Sam, I’m now kicking myself for depriving my family of these amazing tofu morsels! OMG! This recipe is super delicious and super easy."
Heather 'Paitz' Rosenthal: "This was so amazing! It reminded me of sweet and sour chicken back in the day. I will most likely be making this weekly!I put mine with some rice in butter lettuce cups. Too good for words."
Maria: "No one spoke during our meal which means the food is too good to talk in our house. I was told that this dinner was amazing and the recipe is a keeper. I’m so impressed with this recipe."
2. Vegan Spinach & Artichoke Dip
If there is one thing I know we relate on, it's making those comfort food classics vegan. I have heard from readers who have tried this recipe (and from my own friends and family), that this recipe is a big time keeper. Both omnis and vegans love it! Here's the proof in the comments from recipe testers:
Laura: " It was the STAR of our first vegan Thanksgiving dinner!"
Amy: "Potluckers love this! Several carnivores said that they actually preferred it to the traditional recipe because they didn’t feel weighed down and bloated after eating it."
Srivani McIntosh: "OMG – that’s about all I can say about this recipe!!! Sam… this was absolutely delicious! If I knew it was going to turn out so incredibly well, I wouldn’t have made anything else for dinner. I just wanted to eat this."
1. Melty Stretchy Gooey Vegan Mozzarella
This recipe has been loved, adapted, and shared by many. Not only is this great as a fondue dip, it also works great in any recipe that calls for melted mozzarella.
Laura: "Easy and quick to make. Tastes great! I cannot even believe how good this tastes. I’ve been searching for good vegan cheese recipe for 2 years. Thank you thank you thank you!"
Paula: "WOW. I just made this cheese and put it on my burritos and my goodness is it ever GOOD!!!! Thank you for a gooey dairy free cheese, it’s exactly what i’ve been looking for!"
Stephanie Johnson: "I recently had my suspicions confirmed and found out I have a dairy allergy. I miss cheese so much. This recipe makes everything alright. It’s perfect. It’s ooey gooey and stringy and cheesy perfection."
Liz: "This was nothing short of amazing! My carnivorous husband and daughter loved it and i am so happy to have found a comfort food I won’t feel terrible about eating!"
Lea: "Best recipe ever :)"
BONUS: How to Eat Vegan at Any Restaurant (and not order salad)
The top post on my blog this year, was not actually a recipe at all, but this guide on how to eat vegan at any restaurant. You cool cats are sticking to your vegan diet wherever you are and I totally dig it! Way to go us!! I love how in the comments you guys offer your own tips, support, and questions. What an awesome community we have built up here!
I just want to say a BIG thank you to all of you for reading my blog, cooking up a storm, sharing my recipes, leaving comments, and just generally being awesome. I am so incredibly flattered that It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken has received over 2 MILLION views this year and it just keeps on growing. Thank you for all your love and support and I will see you in 2016.
Bon Appetegan!
Sam.
Cassie says
I just found your blog courtesy of Bex. I am super excited to explore!
Sam says
So happy my blog is being shared around! Welcome Cassie. If you have any questions just let me know 🙂
Gina says
Hey Sam! I just started my journey to go vegan and actually daring that step is mostly due to your amazing blog (probably the best one I have found so far)! I am a huge fan of cheese and chicken and well, a lot of non-vegan things... But when you have so many delicious looking recipes on your list to try and they're vegan anyways, it isn't as hard as I thought. I love how the recipes mostly don't require any super fancy ingredients.. and the things you come up with blow me away (like.. hello, how can you even think of stuff like that?!)
Eating vegan does feel so much better, and I am incredibly grateful for this blog! Can't wait for more amazing recipes this year!
Sam says
Aww shucks! Thank you so much Gina 🙂 I am so happy my recipes are helping you so much. I am sure you will find that your cravings for animal products will fade away, and it won't be long before you have no desire for them at all. It just takes a bit for your body to break old habits. I am so happy you are finding it easier than expected. Lots of excited new recipes to come in 2016! If you ever have any questions or need support, just let me know, that's what I am here for.
Kristi says
Sam, you saved the day! I was making buffalo cauliflower dip and needed ranch dressing. I was planning to buy Follow Your Heart ranch, except the one store that sold it in my town closed a couple months ago. I googled vegan ranch recipes and then remembered seeing that the salad dressing post was one of the top 10 of 2015. Your recipe was so much easier than most of the others I googled. Thank you! Also, I saw on snap chat that you're sick. 🙁 I hope you're feeling better. Happy New Year! 🙂
Sam says
Yay! So happy I saved the day! So glad you liked the recipe 🙂 Yeah... fighting a little seasonal cold, but nothing a good cup of tea and Netflix can't cure! Thanks for the well wishes, Happy New Year to you too Kristi!
Srivani says
Whew! It's so hard to pick one and leave the others behind. I love so many of your recipes - the one's I don't love are probably the ones I haven't yet tried. 🙂 I'm so glad I found your blog, Sam. I love that you share your love of food, and I love that you are a Canadian girl, so the products you use are things I can get too. I love that you share some of yourself too; in a non-creepy way, I echo Kristi's comment - your heart-felt posts make me feel like I'm reading something written by a friend. Probably some of my favourite recipes are the vegan meringues (yes, still giddy... just amazed at how that one works!), Sriracha tofu (oops, I just drooled on my keyboard), spinach & artichoke dip (more drool), crispy coconut eggplant nuggets (so worth the effort! I used the method to make an incredible eggplant parm).
It's been an adventurous and exciting year for you, Sam. I'm honoured to have been privy to your sharing the good and the interesting times. Thanks for creating recipes that I can relate to and that I can make! Always know, even thought you can't actually hear us in the online world, you have many cheerleaders encouraging your journey. Enjoy your New Year's Eve and I look forward to your creations in 2016. Peace.
Sam says
Aww you're the best! I am so flattered that you love my recipes so much. Building connections and friends through the blog is part of the joy! It has certainly been and adventurous year, and I can't wait to get going on 2016! Bring it on! All the best to you in the New Years as well. Excited to share more deliciousness and crazy stories with you 🙂 Now time to get my sparkly dress ready!
Maureen Cram says
Thanks so much for all the fantastic recipes. I have unsubbed recently from several vegan/veggie blogs as they are not inspiring to me but yours in on the definitely staying list!
Sam says
Awww I am so flattered that I made the cut, you're very welcome Maureen! Here's to many more delicious creations in 2016. 🙂
Emilie @ Emilie Eats says
Congrats on a great year, Sam! I didn't know you were a full-time bloggy - how cool! (goals) I LOVELOVELOVE that mozzarella, if you can't tell. And all of your images are just so darn cute! You were one of the first vegan blogs I started reading (before I actually went vegan). Keep on doing what you're doing 🙂
Sam says
That's so awesome, I'm so flattered! Yes, full time blogging, although I do freelance work on the side still, but at least I am not stuck in traffic on my way to an office job I hate everyday! So happy you are digging my blog, all the best to you in the new year as well Emilie 🙂
Casey says
Sam, I just went through your about me and now reading this, I really appreciate and admire YOU. Your voice is authentic, your recipes YUMMY, and your heart is in the right place. Thanks for being awesome. 🙂
Sam says
That's so nice Casey!! You're so super welcome, and thanks for doing your part too! 😀
Neil Turnbull says
Well done Sam
You have gained a whole lot of fans with your very creative and inspiring blog. I have a very strong feeling that 2016 will be a very good year for you.
DAD
Sam says
Aww thanks Dad. Haha. 🙂
Bethery says
A new start is exciting; enjoy it! I think the vegan meringues were a revelation this year! So fun, and well, science experiment-y.
On to 2016!
Sam says
I am definitely going to have to try for more meringue recipes this year! On to 2016 indeed!
Kristi says
To sort of echo Eya, I'm so grateful to have found you this year. I became vegan in July. Vegetarian for two days and then full on vegan. I have a husband and four boys and they love just about everything I've made. Your writing style is great and I'm so happy when I see a new blog post from you. You seem like such a genuine, fun, and positive person and in my head, we're friends for real. Hope that didn't creep you out! Haha! Seriously though, you're a game changer and help make veganism not only doable, but easy and delicious too. Thank you for being you and I hope for wonderful things for you in 2016!!!
Sam says
I love that you were vegetarian for just two days before going vegan, haha! That's amazing. Not creepy at all! I love that blogging connects me with so many awesome people like you Kristi. I hope one day we can meet in real life. Wishing you all the best in 2016 too!
Angie S says
I really enjoy your blog and recipes. It takes something special to make me want to run to the kitchen to cook - and you never fail! Keep up the great work and here's wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Sam says
I love that!! I will now forever picture you getting my emails and then immediately running to the kitchen! Haha! A happy and healthy new year to you as well Angie 🙂
Eya says
I think I'd go with eleven, and add that Thai Sweet Potato Coconut curry to your list. The other day, I was thinking of things I was grateful for in 2015, and one of them was you and your blog, which got me back into being interested in cooking. I had been grazing, or dining out, for six years, because for the last two years I couldn't think of a good reason to mess up my new kitchen, and before that I actually didn't have a kitchen to mess up. Now, I actually have an adorable oven and there is so much delicious vegan food in my fridge and freezer, I sometimes have to invite people to dinner just to be able to close the refrigerator door.
Samantha, you're a star. Congratulations on having survived 2015 with style and grace. You made it a total triumph. I'm proud of you.
Sam says
Awwww shucks! Eya! That's the nicest note ever. Thank you so much for your support and I am so happy you are cooking up a delicious vegan storm!