Add these to your repertoire: Cooks Without Borders’ most popular recipes of 2021

By Leslie Brenner

It’s the time of year when we should be kicking up our heels, yet here we are, thinking once again about laying low and hunkering down.

Fortunately, it’s cooking season. If you’re looking for some new dishes to add to your repertoire, or maybe even put in the regular rotation, we’ve got a grillion ideas for you. Our most popular recipes of 2021 can be a delicious place to start.

Here’s a roundup of the 20 most clicked-on of Cooks Without Borders’ original recipes (and those adapted from recipes provided by guest cooks/resident experts). In other words, these are the recipes that are not adapted from cookbooks or other published sources — we’ll bring you those in a separate story.

#1 Your Favorite Chocolate Mousse

Why is it called “your favorite”? Because it’s infinitely customizable according to your tastes. Could be good on New Year’s Eve! [Recipe: Your Favorite Chocolate Mousse.]

#2 Quintessential Quiche Lorraine

(See the photo at the top of the story.) So custardy-good, and easier to make than you’d think. [Get the recipe.]

#3 Ultimate Ragù Bolognese

And yes — you are allowed to put it on store-bought spaghetti, if you want. Who says? Carlo.

#4 Grilled Butterflied Leg of Lamb

Sounds very summery, but hey — it’s always grilling weather somewhere. We first published this in 2016. [Get the recipe.]

#5 Cardamom-Pumpkin Spice Bread

I made this again Christmas Eve, for breakfast Christmas morning. Used dark rye flour instead of whole wheat — with fine results. A big hit as usual. [Get the recipe.]

#6 Sweet Potato Gratin with Sage-Butter and Thyme

We took a favorite recipe from Regina Schrambling and turned it on its head for Thanksgiving 2020. It’s delicious all winter long. [Get the recipe.]

#7 Bayo Beans (Frijoles de Olla II)

Not familiar with the bayo? It’s Mexico’s other bean. [Recipe: Bayo Beans.]

#8 Olivia’s Salsa Macha

This one’s courtesy of Olivia Lopez, chef and co-owner of Molino Olōyō in Dallas, and Cooks Without Borders’ Mexican cooking expert. We keep a jar of it in the fridge at all times. [Recipe: Olivia’s Salsa Macha.]

#9 Moussaka for the Ages

We wrote about moussaka and first published our recipe a year ago, and it has been one or our most craveable dishes ever since. [Recipe: Moussaka for the Ages.]

#10 Perfect Creamed Spinach

Just looking at the photo makes us really want it, and now. Maybe I’ll make it tonight. Also would be a fine thing to serve with a fancy joint on New Year’s Eve. [Recipe: Perfect Creamed Spinach.]

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