Travel & Food Writer

I would like to do something meaningful, like “My Top Twelve Moments of 2012,” but that would get too gushy, or “Twelve Lessons I Learned in 2012,” but I’d quickly become embittered, so I will stick with: My Top Twelve Food Items of 2012.

12.  Extra’s Strawberry Shortcake gum

Two years ago I wrote a blog about Extra’s Strawberry Banana gum, the flavor to which I was addicted, and now I am writing about Strawberry Shortcake gum. Progress! And they say people don’t change.

11. Soup, Salad, and Dessert Buffet

The person who listed this as a menu item was a genius. Who needs a full buffet when one is feasting on dessert? It’s such a waste. And besides, the soup and the salad make one feel healthy. “I’m just having a light dinner before I consume 4,000 calories on chocolate cakes, ice cream, and several slices of pie.” Thank you, kind sir/madam of Colorado Springs.

10. Chimes Ginger Chews

I have a former student/neighbor/pseudo-sister to thank for this. They’re supposed to calm your stomach after a meal, but I don’t know if the effect is lost when one eats an entire bag because of their dessert-like quality.

9. Crack dip

That’s actually what it’s called. It goes on crackers or vegetables and looks innocently like any other vegetable dip, but it will cause you to throw your whole face into the bowl mouth first. It has bacon in it. And, perhaps, crack.

8. Golden Watermelon

I’d never tried it before. It made a great snack during the 5K race/walk.

7. Banoffee Pie

The British version of pumpkin pie (since they DON’T KNOW WHAT PUMPKIN PIE IS! Can you imagine?) I would like to lump this together with Bar Up’s “The Money Shot” because they taste similar, aka heaven in your mouth, and you can see pictures here (scroll to the bottom).

6. Mom’s Cranberry Sauce

Yes, yes, everyone loves the weird gelatinous mold from a can, but that’s because they’ve never had this one.  I typically eat a whole pan’s worth but showed some restraint this year (i.e., I do not live at home and I refused to take the leftovers for fear of eating it in one sitting).

5. “Lick” gelato (QT, New Zealand).

I will never forget you, Hokey Pokey. Creamy smooth sweet vanilla with honey clusters. Mmmm.

4. Ms Mc’s homemade mac and cheese

I’ve decided when I’m ready to find a husband, I will learn to make this recipe (or perhaps I will learn it when I’ve given up on finding a husband and I want to lock myself away and eat comfort food 24/7).

3. St. Claire’s Cab-Zin

It’s not so much the flavor of the wine that I enjoy—though it is delicious—as much as the bar fight I witnessed while purchasing this wine that makes it my favorite by association.

2. Niusha soup

Everything Niusha made me was delicious, including the chicken liver (yes, I really went there), but her soup will always be my favorite because it was the first meal she ever made me (homemade broccoli and cheese) and the first time I discovered what a great friend she is.

1. Blue Bunny (No Sugar Added) Chocolate Ice Cream

I also once blogged about the majestic qualities of Dreyer’s Smooth and Dreamy non-fat chocolate brownie ice cream, but the [insert choice phrase]s at Dreyer’s discontinued that flavor, so I am now a fan of Blue Bunny. I figured if I’m eating ice cream every day, I might as well switch to the no-sugar added kind in an effort to stave off my impending diabetes. However: topped with fruit compote, Reddi Whip, and copious amounts of Nesquik chocolate sauce, you won’t even notice the no-sugar added quality.

May 2013 be as sweet for you as 90% of the items listed on my favorite food list of 2012. 🙂