Freelance writer and serious foodie Deb Perelman does her cooking in an absurdly small New York City kitchen. And then she writes about it in Smitten Kitchen, a blog with a wonderfully homey feel. She's in charge of words, photos and design, with assistance from husband Alex; many of the dishes she details are what she calls "comfort foods stepped up a bit," such as crème brulée French toast and meatball subs with caramelized onions. Each post takes its time getting to the recipe, which is fine: even if you never re-create any of her creations, just reading about them and looking at Perelman's mouthwatering images is an experience worth savoring.
Our annual blog extravaganza features 25 fresh picks, from politics and pop culture to travel, tech and beyond