Best Of Year 2008

Its that time of the year again when you sit back and think of the wonderful times of 2008. Its so important for all of us to take time out and thank god for everything bestowed on us. This year for me has been a fruitful one. There are many things that I want to talk about. For me this is a way to let you all know some of the important things that worked for me in 2008 and so much more that I am looking forward to in 2009.

First and foremost I chanced upon an idea to start a blog of my own. I never knew one bit that it will turn in to a passion. Initially I was adding both the recipes and my paintings and craft work on the same blog. But then I realised that its important to keep them on separate blogs because there were few people more inclined towards checking out the recipes and some were pure art and craft people. So I started the blog KAI KRIYE (which means hand work in Kannada, my mother tongue) for art and IYENGAR'S KITCHEN to add in traditional treasures and other recipes from my home.

I never realised for once that I would receive so much love, support and encouragement from everyone in the family to fellow bloggers. Through blogging I made some fantastic friends who are so far away yet I know what they all do on a day to day basis without actually seeing them. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR POSITIVE SUGGESTIONS AND FEEDBACKS WHICH KEEP ME ENCOURAGED IMMENSELY!

Coming to the Most popular recipes on my blog:

Akki rotti

Engayi

Mint layered Paratha

Puliogare

Most tried recipes on my blog:

Rasam powder

Mint layered paratha

Puliogare

Engayi

Carrot and Kohlrabi Soup

Traditional treasures on my blog:

Ulundha ogare

Kolkattai

Events of the year hosted by me:

Although I did host only two events, I must say CHALLENGE Event will always remain close to my heart.

Some good friends I made through blogging:

1. Meeta of What's for Lunch Honey

2. Lakshmi of Taste of Mysore

3. Sree of Sree's Canvas

I have so many more friends and this list will be really long. By next year I am very sure this list would double:-)

Food and Art Blogs that I love to Visit:

1. Geninne's Art Blog

2. Archana at Rang Decor

3. Holly's Decor 8 and Haus Maus

4. Indira's Mahanandi

5. Meeta's What's for Lunch Honey

6. Sree's Canvas

I do see many more blogs than these but when I think of wanting to see some blogs to cheer me up or sit down for a cuppa, I immediately open these. The year 2009 will also be the start to see so many more talented people whom I have still not discovered.

Oh by the way, did I tell you all what I really enjoyed in my first year of blogging?

Well, here there go:

1. My first post

2. The first comment I received for my post

3. More and more bloggers checking out my blog.

4. The most satisfying one has definitely got to be when people told me that they tried out my recipes and it turned out superb for them.

5. The day I saw a very small mention about my blog in Telegraph Paper.

6. Awards from fellow blogger friends.Hopefully this year will be bigger and better for me and my blogs!

Coming to the Best recipe I tried from a blog and worked wonders for me has to be Palak Paneer from Sailu's Kitchen. I know my recipe is still pending on that. But as you know December has been the most difficult month for me. I have been so busy that I have not posted anything new. Try this recipe it sure will be a hit at your home! I also love trying out recipes from Aayis recipes, Taste of mysore and Mahanandi.

Finally I do want to add that Blogging is really difficult but the most fulfilling one. It needs a lot of your time, energy and lot of dedication. If its your passion you will certainly like every bit of it. I have realised along the way that if you make only good food it isn't sufficient. A good presentation is an important part of it and for that, a good knowledge of food photography is all the more important.

My best photographed recipe has got to be Ulundha Ogare. What do you think?

Keeping in mind these things, My resolutions for New year 2009 would be:

1. To improve on my presentation as in photography skills. (I am seriously working on that)

2. More Traditional recipes and trying to add in readers recipe requests. So all you readers if you want a particular recipe do write to me at iyengarskitchen@gmail.com

3. Try to post more often, like say weekly once.

4. I also would love to bake and hopefully add an oven in my new kitchen soon. So if that happens may be I might try my hand at baking which I love and probably learn from blogger friends who bake on a regular basis.I think I will end here for today and Here' s WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2009 FROM IYENGAR'S KITCHEN!!!!!!

Srivalli's Cooking for all seasons is hosting "Best of Year 2008" Event. This post is going to that event. Thanks Valli for giving me the extra time.

AND THE WINNERS OF CHALLENGE ARE.......

Drum roll please..................The Winners are.....

Soma of Ecurry - Stuffed Bell Pepper in Arrabiata Sauce
Lubna Karim of Kitchen Flavors - Chocolate Banana Dessert

Since I received so many lovely entries from all my friends, selecting only 2 winners was not justified. I requested Meeta to select one more winner.

She chose Uma Priya of Telugu Ruchi - Millet Dosa

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!to all the winners. Your Gift will be posted only in the 1st week of January as I am moving from my present residence to a different city. So will take some time to settle down and mail to you all. Please mail me your addresses in the meantime. Once I post Your prize, I will keep you informed about it. Thank you for your patience!

I am so thankful to all the other participants who joined us in this challenge. Special Thanks to Meeta of What's For Lunch Honey for carefully going through each one of the entries and coming up with the winners name. I am sure it was a hard task for her to select only 3 from so many.

Have a great week ahead all of you!

Thank you!!!!!! is what I will say from the bottom of my heart to all fellow bloggers who participated in the Challenge contest.

I am so happy seeing the number of recipes. What I really liked the most is although some of your recipes might have been rejected for a particular ingredient in the NO LIST (there I go again!!!!). This did not deter you guys from sending more recipes (I am using the term 'more' here because many of you have really tried hard to send in multiple recipes, being extra careful about the ingredients,which are also healthy and just perfect for the contest).

When I see the number of recipes from you guys, I do feel a little bit awkward that I was not able to contribute much as promised. But some unexpected things have tied me to be away from my blogging work although I have loads of rocking recipes stored on my computer to share with you all. Hopefully I will be able to post more often from January.
Even if the challenge contest is over, I will definitely include all those recipes which are extremely healthy and belong here in this group.

From here Meeta, my dear friend will do the honours. She will choose two best entries.Over to you Meeta!

So coming to the entries....

List of Participants and their Entries:

Sita from Andhra Flavors

Sweet Balls from Puffed Rice

Uma Priya from Telugu Ruchi

Instant Cucumber Pickle

Mango Pickle

Millet Dosa

Potato Pancakes

Lubna Karim from Kitchen Flavors

Apple and Lemon Sharbat

Coconut, Chocolate and Banana Dessert

Strawberry Mint Soda

Tomato Salsa

Lakshmi from Taste of Mysore

Tomato Rasam

Thin pancakes made from Mixed Flour and Veggies

Finger Millet Halwa

Sorghum Flour balls (Jowar balls)

Finger Millet balls (Ragi balls)

Steamed Rice flour Thin pancakes with Ridgegourd curry

Tangy Green Tomato Chutney

Cucumber Salad

Tomato Salad

Spicy Potatoes

Finger Millet Pancakes

Crisy Puffed Rice without Peanuts

Grilled Red pepper and Tomato soup

Sorghum and Bajra Flour thin Pancakes

Soumya (Cooking Station)

Apple pickles

Priya from Priya's Easy and Tasty Recipes

Finger Millet Puttu

Lemony Finger Millet Noodles

Herbal Juice

Zucchini Clear Soup

Drumstick Clear Soup

Fresh Cucumber Juice

Olive pickles

Steamed Finger Millet Veggie Rolls

Sushma from Savi Ruchi

Raw Jack Fruit Stir-fry

Rice Balls

Jack fruit Dosa

Divya from Divyas Easy recipes

Pearl Millet and Rice flour Puttu

Orange Punch

Rice flour (Steamed)Kolkattai

Viji from Viji's Veg Corner

Grilled and Mashed Egg plant in Tamarind Gravy

Magic Corn

Plantain Stem Salad

Alka Keswani from Sindhi Rasoi

Little Millet Flour Rotis with Potato Curry

Pavithra from Pakashale

Neeru Dosa (A combination of Rice and Coconut dosa)

Cumin (Jeera) Rice

Punched Ivy Gourd Curry (tendli)

Soma Rathore from Ecurry

Stuffed Bell Pepper In Arrabiata Sauce

Sudeshna from Bengali Cuisine

Potato - Okra Fry

Potatoes coated in Poppy seeds paste

Roochi from Roochis Blog

Smashed Brinjal Curry

Jayashree from Kailas Kitchen

Beetroot Halwa

Indrani from Appayayan

Tamarind Soup with Vegetables

Vandana Raman from Vandana's Kitchen

Potato Cubed Side Dish

Chitra from Amma's Kitchen

Finger Millet (Pizza) Aka Rice pancakes

Once again thanks to all the bloggers who participated in the Challenge. I think I have posted all the entries....but by mistake If I have Missed any of your entries, Please mail me to iyengarskitchen@gmail.com within a week. This is just to give you all ample time to check whether your entries have been put here and also to give Meeta (our judge) some time, who will have to check the entries from her busy schedule. Winners will be announced in the 2nd week of December.

So till then Happy cooking all of you!!!!!