We all have our favourite go-to recipes. It might be the one for that comforting chicken pot pie, or that epic layer cake that never fails to impress. To kick off 2017, we’ve compiled last year’s greatest hits and biggest clicks with a combination of colourful comfort food (we blame 2016) and wholesome South African classics.

Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen’s milk tart croquembouche. Photo supplied.

MasterChef SA koeksisters
These gloriously golden beauties come are the ultimate South African sweet treat.

Antonio Carluccio’s chicken liver pasta
This super rich pasta dish hails from Piedmont in Italy and is delicious in any language.

James Martin’s sticky toffee pudding
The British chef does not disappoint with this traditional English favourite.

James Martin’s sticky toffee pudding. Photo supplied.

Buttermilk rusks
This South African classic is a perfect tea accompaniment and is easier to make than you think.

Six-minute chocolate cake
Yes, you read that correctly. This cocoa-rich recipe can be on your plate in 20 minutes.

Potbrood
Whether made on the fire or in the oven, this traditional South African bread is always a winner.

Gordon Ramsay’s stuffed squid with pork
The invention chef Gordon Ramsay, this calamari recipe is served with nuoc cham, a delicious Vietnamese dipping sauce.

Gordon Ramsay’s stuffed squid. Photo supplied.

Banting cheesecake with berry coulis crust
Sweetened with xylitol and berries, this low-carb, high-fat cheesecake offers Tim Noakes devotees a chance to indulge without the guilt.

Banting cheesecake with berry coulis. Photo supplied.

Samp and beans with lamb
A traditional African dish that calls for little effort but lots of time.

Samp and beans with lamb. Photo by Russell Smith.

Khadi kitchari
This fast and easy fragrant vegetarian rice dish is served with yellow lentils and cooked Inkomasi sourmilk.

Khad kitchari with naan bread. Photo supplied.

Gino D’Acampo’s Italian shepherd’s pie
Author of Fantastico – Modern Italian Food cooks up this hearty favourite with sweet potatoes and plenty of fresh basil leaves.

Gino D’Acampo’s Italian shepherd’s pie. Photo supplied.

Milk tart croquembouche
South African Michelin-starred chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen creates a glamorous French dessert with a South African spin.

Hake and potato fish cakes with tomato salsa
This bright and tasty dish is a clever way to get the kiddies to eat fish.

Ouma Corrie’s malva pudding
This South African classic can do no wrong. Simply serve with a vanilla ice-cream or cold custard.

Ouma Corrie’s malva pudding. Photo supplied.

Pie on the braai
These spinach and feta braai pies will knock the socks off your guests.

Spinach and feta braai pie. Photo supplied.

Chocolate biscuit cake
This decadent chocolate biscuit cake was a firm favourite in the royal nursery and was even used as Prince William’s groom’s cake.

Chocolate biscuit cake. Photo supplied.

Brinjal tomato and parmesan bake
The grilled brinjals, full of smokey flavours, make this a great meat-free meal.

Brinjal and parmesan bake. Photo supplied.

Roasted butternut and feta couscous salad
Couscous is highly underrated, but so affordable and nutritious. Mix with butternut and you have yourself a hearty side dish or meat-free meal.

Butternut and feta couscous. Photo supplied.

Baked kidney beans with tomato-chilli and poached eggs
The ultimate brunch dish. Simply crack in a couple of eggs and place in the oven to bubble away.

Baked kidney beans with tomato-chilli and eggs. Photo supplied.

Candyfloss Dream
This cocktail makes use of candyfloss, and a simple cosmopolitan recipe, minus one ingredient.

Cosmopolitan-inspired candyfloss dream. Photo supplied.