13 most memorable posts of 2013

Here we are again, another year has passed. Phew. 2013 was pretty nutty and volatile for me, to tell you the truth. It being my first year as a college grad, I often found myself stressed and worried about my future and wondering if what I’m doing is what I should be doing. As any ambitious college grad, I expected to find my first job quickly and to love it, to move out of my parents’ home and become an independent adult. But life rarely turns out as planned, especially when you hold a liberal arts degree, especially in the most competitive city in the world. Although I scored an internship and some freelance gigs, I am still waiting on that perfect job to come along.

One thing I’m starting to understand is that the plans I make now don’t have to last forever. Circumstances will change with time and so will my wishes and expectations. I’m moving into 2014 with a positive spirit, a smile on my face, big goals and dreams, and most importantly, thinking in the now.

As far as the foodie in me is concerned, I had a fabulous year. I reached some great culinary milestones - like perfect roast pork (see #10) and the phantom Russian doughnuts from my childhood (#4) - and I started juicing (#9) and went to some fantastic restaurants. And, I went on my second trip to Paris where I reconnected with my favorite cousin, Marina, enjoyed macarons at the original Laduree, and had plenty of other delectable treats (washed down with lots of vin rouge, bien sûr.)

Without further ado, here’s a look back at some of the memorable posts of 2013, in no particular order:

1.) The Official Chez Sasha Guide to Visiting Paris: I share what to know, where to go and what to eat.

2.) Baked beef empanadas - the perfect weekend food project to tackle with your empanada-loving boyfriend.

3.) These Chinatown dumplings are five for a dollar and they’re amazing. Most kick-ass discovery of 2013, hands-down. (Thanks, Yi-boe!)

4.) My mama hasn’t made these doughnut holes since I was a kid, so I asked for the recipe and finally made them myself.

5.) In this post I shared the story of my near-eating-disorder state in high school and the rules I follow now to eat healthy.

6.) Grilled corn with Parmesan-herb butter - the perfect summertime treat (only six months to go!).

7.) Los Perros Locos - a hot-dog spot on the LES designed for after-hours stoners and club-goers. For the record, I was there at 6pm.

8.) And on a different note, I got to go to a really shmancy sushi place.

9.) I discovered juicing and shared some tips and simple juice recipes.

10.) An ode to and recipe for one of my favorite sandwiches, the Cuban.

11.) Hunter’s - the best new Brooklyn restaurant of 2013. Go there.

12.) In this installment of my My Phone, the Gastronome series, I explored the various levels of fatass-ness in my diet and showed my funny side, kind of.

13.) The Ukrainian East Village Restaurant is one of my favorite and one of the most enigmatic NYC establishments in existence. Read on.

Tell me: Is there anything you’d like to see more/less of on this blog? Share in the comments!

What significant moments did 2013 bring for you?