2013 was the year I really committed to spending my entire paycheck at the grocery store my culinary dream.  I got some big things checked off the bucket list, including starting this blog, launching my cooking segment on CBS Atlanta called “What’s on Parker’s Plate?”, published a cookbook and even got a recipe and a blog post featured in the Huffington Post.  I’m pretty stoked, y’all!  To celebrate, I’m taking a look back at what I cooked this year and kicking myself that I drank too much wine and didn’t write down the damn recipes need to recreate recipes for most of them!!

Here are my favorites….Warning: Food Porn!

Bacon wrapped lobster tail and Parmesan Encrusted Porkchop.  Parker version of Surf-n-Turf.  The only thing I remember about this meal (besides the delish factor) was that it was on a Tuesday night, because my co-workers gave me major hell after seeing me post this pic on Facebook.  As in, “WHO makes a Bacon wrapped lobster tail and Parmesan Encrusted Porkchop on a Tuesday??”  Um, that would be me.

Dark Chocolate Dipped Pecan Pie Ball.  Sprinkle a little sea salt on top…Bam.  It’s pretty much the perfect dessert.

Lobster Risotto.  Creamy, decadent risotto with Lobstah.  Yes.

Hoisin Glazed Short Ribs.  I have been obsessed with short ribs since watching Master Chef contestants win 2 years in a row with them as the main dish.  They’re a cheap cut of meat that when slow-cooked, turn into fall off the bone, GETINMYMOUTHRAWTNOW  kinda good.  Add some orange zested hoisin?  Winning!

Hot wings and Onion Rings.  Crispy, spicy, insane delish.  My man loved this.  I mean, he wanted to marry it.  (And me.)

Proscuitto Wrapped Dates Stuffed with a Spiced Walnut drizzled with a Balsamic Reduction.  This was the appetizer I made to kick off a 5 course meal for our 5 year anniversary.  It was epic.  (I hate that word.  It’s so over-used and unnecessary.)  But let me repeat:  Epic.

Deconstructed Chicken Pot Pie.  There was puff pastry involved.  There was a lot of butter.  There was creamy delish.

Southern Fried Pork Chop with Buttermilk Gravy and Twice Baked Potatoes.  Broccoli doesn’t really deserve a mention here.

OMG Bars.  The name says it all. Decadent layers of graham cracker crust, fudge, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut and more fudge smothered together.

Blue Cheese Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes.  Melty Delish is my favorite culinary term of 2013 and this little gem of an appetizer sums that up perfectly.  You’ll have to buy my cookbook for the recipe (see how I got in one more mention there?) Here’s a teaser: Blue cheese with a little lemon whipped and stuffed into a cherry tomato and broiled to make it hot and melty and delish….#meltydelish

Happy New Year!  Here’s to an even more decadently (melty delish) 2014!

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