December is known for two things - the visit from the big hairy guy bearing gifts, and the annual release of Google's list top trending recipes of the year. This year's results are a mixed bag, and to be honest, bear no correlation to the most popular recipes on goodfood.com.au for 2022.

But let's dig a little deeper and find our own examples of these recipes (or as close to it as possible) so that you can get back to googling other more important things, like 'cheap luxury beach holidays January' (or is that just me?).

1. Dhal recipe
What is it about dhal that had people searching recipes for it in their droves? Was it a TikTok trend that I missed, did a celebrity wax on about its restorative powers or is it just a brilliant warming budget meal that's finally having its Google moment? Whatever the case may be, we agree it's a winner. This Fast ginger dhal with hot smoked salmon (above) by Jessica Brook was among our most popular recipes of the winter. Or try this butter chicken version by Katrina Meynink.

2. Ezy sauce recipe
Back in April, Kraft Heinz announced it was going to cease production of Wild's Ezy-Sauce after almost 80 years. Cue tears from condiment cooks everywhere, who relied on the pickling liquid to add oomph to chutneys, relishes and sauces. Google searches went up 500 per cent in a week, with people desperate to source it before it went the way of the Polly Waffle. Due to popular demand, Ezy-Sauce production resumed recently. But good luck trying to find it, it's sold out pretty much everywhere. Do we have a recipe for it? No. But we do have a simple Adam Liaw salsa recipe we think you'll, err, relish all the same.

3. Drunken chicken recipe
No, not a poultry excuse for a dad joke about a tipsy chook on the turps, but an Asian dish that Alvin from MasterChef also happened to cook to save himself from elimination (it worked, Tommy was sent packing instead). Did y'all Google the heck out of it after that episode? Perhaps. Or maybe it was a TikTok trend. Again, let me know. But in the meantime, in the absence of a Drunken Chicken recipe on the website, here's Adam Liaw's delicious drunken prawns, instead.

4. Mash potato recipe
Now that's what we're talking about. Who doesn't love mashed potatoes? Or mash potato as so many people apparently googled in 2022. Our Paris mash recipe by Blue Ducks' Darren Roberston and Mark Lebrooy never goes out of style. And then there's RecipeTin Eats' creamy dreamy version that you just know is going to be great. Eat it with a spoon straight from the pot.

5. Salmon patties recipe
Joining Cash and Newton atop the list of great Aussie Patties of the 1980s – the humble but enduring salmon patty. Best served with peas and mash (or between two slices of fluffy white bread with mayonnaise the next day), salmon patties are budget-friendly, simple and comfortingly familiar. In 2022, it seems retro really was the way to go.

6. Jaffle recipes
Jaffle snaffled sixth spot in Google's most trending recipes of the year. Indeed we identified the trend back in June, as jaffles with 'wild' fillings became the toastie trend of 2022. Tuck into 25 of our best jaffle and toastie recipes and don't forget to tag #cheesepull on Instagram, if that's your jam.

7. Fish tacos recipe
Not just any taco trend, it's a fish taco trend, as Aussies got back on board the Mexican food bandwagon in 2022. Try Jamie Oliver's pukka salmon tacos or mix and match other share-friendly recipes from this fun mega Mexican recipe collection. Arriba!

8. Egg salad recipe
You don't really need a recipe to make egg salad sandwiches do you? Follow this recipe for Adam Liaw's delicious carbonara sandwich instead. Or mix it up with Jill Dupleix's open sandwiches, starring the classic egg sandwich, too.

9. Butter cream icing recipe
The icing on the cake in a year of unlikely recipe searches topping Google's trend list – butter cream icing. Find this favourite alongside lots more interesting icing recipes in our fabulous collection of 30 celebration cakes.

10. Lamb stew recipe
Who said lamb stew was just for winter? Here's Adam Liaw's Summer lamb stew recipe just to prove it. But we loved Katrina Meyink's Persian lamb stew, too. This is another dish that just refuses to go out of fashion. And that's just fine by us.