I always find it interesting when other bloggers share which of all of their posts throughout the year were the most popular. It's funny to see what topics and recipes people are the most interested in. So I thought I would share ours with you! Without further adieu, here were the top 5 recipe posts from The Lavender Apple in 2015:

Cinnamon Rolls 

http://thepurpleapple-lavender.blogspot.com/2015/10/lavender-sweet-rolls-cinnamon-rolls.html

Mustard Leek Shrimp Over Cous Cous

http://thepurpleapple-lavender.blogspot.com/2015/11/mustard-leek-shrimp-over-cous-cous.html

Mixed Grill Skillet with Potatoes, Peppers, & Sausage 

http://thepurpleapple-lavender.blogspot.com/2015/10/mixed-grill-skillet-with-sausage.html

Crispy Goat Cheese Salad with Shrimp and Mustard Red Potatoes 

http://thepurpleapple-lavender.blogspot.com/2015/09/crispy-goat-cheese-salad-with-shrimp.html

Oven Baked Barbecue Chicken 

http://thepurpleapple-lavender.blogspot.com/2015/07/oven-baked-barbecue-chicken-breasts.html

If you didn't get a chance to try any of these recipes last year, what are you waiting for? They are all delicious, and usually pretty easy to execute as well! Here's to hoping 2016 is just as tasty. 

I love a good one pan meal. I also love a good one pan meal that is low in fat and full of good for you vegetables. This meal received my "wow babe, this is delicious" seal of approval from my husband. It has a great tang from the mustard, peas and carrots similar to one of our favorite shrimp dishes at a great restaurant, and filling protein and carbs. It comes together in just a few minutes and you will be happy to welcome this easy dish into your repertoire. 

Ingredients: 

1 tablespoon butter

30-40 count medium shrimp

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons dijon mustard

5 cloves garlic, minced

2 leeks, cleaned/diced

1 large carrot, shredded

1 cup frozen peas

1 1/4 cup israeli pearled cous cous

lavender salt

fresh cracked pepper

2 cups water, boiled

Directions: 

Melt your butter, add your shrimp, salt and pepper them. Saute your shrimp for 3-4 minutes until just barely pink all the way through. Set aside. In your same skillet add you olive oil, leeks, carrots, mustard, and garlic. Salt and pepper them and saute until soft and cooked through, about 5 minutes. While your vegetables are cooking, boil 2 cups of water. When the vegetables are soft, add your peas and cous cous to the pan. Dump your water over the top them, turn off your heat source, cover, and let sit 7-8 minutes until the cous cous has plumped. Season with lavender salt and pepper and return the shrimp to the dish. 

Simple, healthy, filling, and delicious. Hope you enjoy this quick one pot meal. 

Shrimp Po'Boy (or Shrimp Poor Boys as I grew up calling them) are a wonderful diversion from your normal bunned sandwich. These shrimp are breaded in a flakey and flavorful batter, pan fried, and surrounded by crisp fresh veggies. You will be so happy to have this sandwich in your mouth. I promise. 

Ingredients: 

3 gourmet buns

12 shrimp, thawed and deveined 

1 cucumber, sliced

6 ounces cherry tomatoes, quartered

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

1 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup flour

2 1/2 tsp lavender salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons dijon mustard

1 tablespoon relish

2 dashes hot sauce

Mix your salt, peppers, garlic, thyme, & oregano together in a small bowl. Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a frying pan on medium high heat. Dip your shrimp in the buttermilk, then the flour, then your spice mixture. Then fry your shrimp until each side is golden, about 2 minutes per side. Mix together your mayo, mustard, relish, and hot sauce. Spread your mayo on each side of your buns, place your shrimp, cucumbers, and tomatoes in your buns. Serve immediately. 

This is a great, easy, fun and fresh idea for your next meal. Enjoy!

This recipe is perfect for those households that are divided when it comes to spice. My husband really enjoys a spicy meal, while I on the other hand can't stand the heat, literally. This dish itself has a wonderful almost spicy flavor from the turmeric, so for me and my mild loving tastebuds, its perfect. But when paired with your favorite hot sauce, it will blow your britches off. Plus it's extremely low fat and full of protein and veggies. So not only is it super tasty, but its good for you too!

Ingredients: 
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes 
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
2 cups frozen peas
20 shrimp, thawed, tails removed
1 1/2 cup cooked rice
1 tablespoon butter
Salt and Pepper

Cook your rice in the rice cooker with 1 tablespoon of butter added. Heat your oil in a large sauté pan. Add your onion and bell pepper, season with salt and pepper, and cook until soft and tender. Add your turmeric and garlic and stir for 30 seconds until combined. Add your can of tomatoes (juice included), shrimp, and salt and pepper. Simmer until your shrimp are pink and cooked through. Add your cilantro and frozen peas and simmer until peas are warmed through. Mix together with your cooked rice and season again with salt and pepper as needed. Serve with cholula or siracha sauce. 

I hope you enjoy this full of flavor colorful and healthy rice dish - no matter how spicy you choose to make it!