The Tastiest Recipes Of 2021

Food

Lots of us were levelling up in the kitchen last year, whether out of boredom or necessity. And whether you’re SO done with cooking at home, or eager to test out some new skills over the summer break, these are our five most popular recipes of the past year, revisited!

We’re talking three types of savoury galettes, a layered lemon and raspberry cake and more. If that doesn’t taste like a holiday, we don’t know what does!

6th January, 2022

Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files

Julia’s Spinach And Feta Flatbreads

There is something about the combination of spinach, feta, and fried dough that hits all the right comfort food notes, without being too heavy.

In this recipe, inspired by a weekend snack ritual when shopping at the farmer’s market, Julia Busuttil Nishimura creates the perfect pillowy pocket to stuff full of delicious fillings, especially for when those cravings hit – YUM!

Revisit the full recipe here.

Once the pastry is wrapped around the tomatoes, the crunchy crust forms a case around the abundant veggies and will contain all their juices. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

The secret to achieving the perfect buttery, golden crust? Butter! And a little bit of sour cream… Photo – Eve Wilsonfor The Design Files.

What a spread! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Julia’s Perfect Savoury Galette – Three Ways

Why have pizza when you can have galette? Just ask the French… It’s all about the pastry!

Here, Julia Busuttil Nishimura gives us a mouthwatering recipe for her simple, easy-to-assemble savoury galettes, plus three different topping combinations mixing the best zesty seasonal vegetables with a flaky, buttery golden crust.

This recipe went NUTS when we first published it back in February!

Revisit the full recipe here.

Icing the layered cake with creme fraiche frosting. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Julia and sweet Yuki at home! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

This epic cake is a real showstopper! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Julia’s Epic Lemon & Raspberry Layer Cake

In the world of showstopping, special occasion desserts – Julia‘s nostalgic tiered vanilla sponge takes the cake (sorry not sorry for that pun!) for dishes you can achieve at home.

With fresh raspberries, tart lemon curd and crème fraîche icing folded into layers of pillowy butter cake, this is what you make when it’s time to celebrate something special.

Read the full recipe here.

Rhubarb roasted with cardamom, orange, vanilla and sugar. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

This festive looking dessert is sure to bring the vibe! Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Hazelnut meringues ready to serve with roasted rhubarb and creme fraiche. Photo – Eve Wilson for The Design Files.

Julia’s Hazelnut Meringues With Roasted Rhubarb

‘One of my favourite things to make for dessert around this time are meringues,’ says Julia Busuttil Nishimura. ‘They are actually rather simple to make and can be all prepared in advance, which is perfect for entertaining. I love serving them on the table with a bowl of roasted fruit and whipped cream. People can then help themselves and pile on as much or as little as the cream and fruit as they want.’

Revisit the full recipe here.

Photo – courtesy of Clem Day.

Clem Day’s Brown Butter Vanilla Cake Filled With Chocolate Sour Cream Ganache And Boozy Blackberries

We had a few extra recipes from foodie / cook and newbie food publisher Clementine Day this year!

Clem is best known for her knockout, decadent cakes – and this one, a brown butter vanilla cake filled with chocolate ganache and boozy blackberries, and topped with flowers, truly looks as good as it tastes!

Revisit the full recipe here.