Blogging is not rocket science, it's about being yourself and putting what you have into it.
- Anonymous
A few days back, Framed Recipes completed a rotation around the sun! I just cannot believe it has been a year since this was blog was born. Some bloggers call it blog anniversary, I prefer to call it my blog's birthday. So, yes it is the first birthday of Framed Recipes.
The year long journey has been wonderful. Just like a newborn, my blog has given me many sleepless nights (thinking about the posts & recipes), needs constant attention and care (everyday, on and on), responding to comments and queries.
It has given me the "Aha!" moments as well as the "Am I good at this? " moments. And it is not just me, my entire family has devoted several hours nurturing this blog. There has been ups and downs throughout the year. But I am enjoying it to the core and there is nothing, absolutely nothing, I would change.
During the initial few days, after we announced the existence of the blog to the world, there was this one day, where I actually saw 300 views on a single day! Whoa!!! That was the maximum views I had till then. Yippeee!!! I knew I had visited the website only 5 times that day, so I must have had 295 other visitors/views. Woohooo! Next day, I talked to my sister and shared this exciting news with her. She calmly said, "you must have visited only 5 times, the rest (290 times), that was me" 🙂 .
Thus with support and appreciation of my family and friends, my website is growing, slowly but steadily.
Things I learnt in the past one year
Over the course of this one year, I have learnt so many things about blogging. Not just the regular run of the mill lists like:
- Post regularly
- Socialize
- Content is the king
- Bond with your readers.
Yes, those are crucial for any blogger, but there are things that we learnt as a family over the past one year.
New found respect for food bloggers: Let me admit it. I took bloggers for granted - till I started my own. Food bloggers spend hours and hours doing research, experimenting, photographing and posting the recipes. It does not stop there. You need to socialize and then some more. I have read that bloggers spend 4-5 hours on each post and then another few hours, socializing. Trust me, it is not an easy job.
You cannot please them all: If there is one thing that is constant in food blogging world, it is that, you cannot please them all. If you write less, you hear from people that there is not much to read in your blog. If you write a good many words, then you hear complaints like "OMG!!! she writes way too much, I just needed the recipe".
You cannot please them all: This is with regards to the actual recipe that you post. There was a time when I decided that I will prepare and post recipes based on social media demands. So, one day, I found that people on Facebook were looking for simple cake recipes. I dig my stash of easy cake recipes, try them out and a few days later, blog about Yogurt Cake. However, by that time, nobody was interested in simple cake recipes anymore and the 'recipe-request-for-the-day' was for thirst quenchers.
If you have a picky eater, start a blog: Sonshine was is a very picky eater. He would refuse to try any new flavor. When we discussed about starting this blog, I had one condition for him - that he has to eat or at least taste everything I make. I am very proud to say that Sonshine is exploring many new flavors now. I wont say, he has become a "master eater"; he still cringes when I offer him something new; but he is trying new stuff.
Happy Mamma!
Making new friends: This was the best part of starting a blog. I have made some new friends in the food blogging community and I am proud to say that I know them and I follow their blogs more or less on a daily basis. This was definitely a bonus because everyday I learn something new.
Family bonding: This blog is not a one-man nor a one-woman show - it is family run!. These recipes are family favorites. Our family bonds together during the photo shoots. We fight, we talk, we criticize, we encourage, we wait impatiently for the photo shoot to get over and my husband to say "yes, we are done" before we dig in and finish off the goodies.
Festivals and celebrations happen early: If I have to get a recipe out for a particular festival or celebration, I have to plan and execute much prior to the actual festival. And, then on the actual festival day, we celebrate again. So, double the fun celebrating!
Planning: The photo shoots for the blog happen on weekends, since the official photographer has a day job; which is very crucial for the sustenance of this blog and also to put a roof over the head, a few clothes to wear and fill our tummies with food 🙂 . Weekends are so busy for our family, juggling between Sonshine's activities, photo shoots and socializing (not over the social media, actually meeting people). Things go haywire when we plan an out of town activity with our friends. My brain starts buzzing with alternate plans or dishes that can be completed in short span of time along with the plans of having fun at the parties!
You become more observant: The dishes at the restaurants that you took for granted are no longer something to satiate your hunger. You become more aware of the plating ideas and and the food combinations served. You try to find humor in situations, try to "find" life experiences that you can blog about, you spend hours researching on the origins of the dish. And sometimes, in spite of all this you have nothing to write about.
You spend a lot of time and money: Apart from spending a lot of time socializing over the internet and posting your recipes, you spend a lot of time picking the freshest available ingredients. You also spend a lot of money buying other stuff required for food photography. I am not talking about the new "must-have" camera gear. I am talking about the props you buy for food photography. I try to get mine from the thrift stores/flea markets in my town. After a few purchases, you become a flea market queen - one glance and you will know which cheap find at the thrift store will look amazing as a prop.
I am sure there are a lot more things that I can add. But those, in later posts! For now, these are my learning from a year of blogging! If you are a blogger, and would like to share your most valuable learning, do drop in a comment. Let me learn from you too.
With all this ranting, I forgot to tell you, we celebrated the blog birthday by making Bhappa Doi. I adapted the recipe shared by Soma in a FB food group called Home Chefs Guild.
Enjoy!
Bhappa Doi
Classic Bengali Sweet - Bhappa Doi - Steamed Yogurt. Flavored with exotic saffron, cardamom & a hint of citrus! Mmmmm.... Rich, creamy & delicious!
Ingredients
- 400 Milliliter (1 tin) Condensed milk
- 200 Milliliter Milk; divided
- 200 Milliliter Curd/Yogurt
- 2 Pinches Saffron
- 1 Cardamom Pod; husked, seeded and seeds crushed to powder.
- 2 Lime/Lemon
Garnish
- Fresh Fruits of your choice
- Sliced Almonds/Pistachios
- Mint Leaves
Required Equipment
- Big Bowl
- Whisk
- Small Bowls (2)
- Peeler
- Mortar & Pestle
- Ramekins/Bowls
- Aluminum Foil
- Ladle
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add 2 tablespoon milk and soak the saffron threads and let it rest till it is ready to use.
- Using a peeler, peel the limes/lemons and crush the peels gently with your hands.
- Add the crushed the peels to the rest of the milk and let the citrus flavor infuse into the milk for about 10-15 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk the yogurt till there are no lumps.
- Remove the lime peels from the milk..
- Add the condensed milk, lemon/lime infused milk, saffron and cardamom powder to the yogurt and mix well.
- Boil water in the steamer.
- Pour the yogurt mix into the serving bowls, close tightly with aluminum foil. (This is crucial since you do not want any steam entering the pudding.)
- Place inside the steamer and steam on medium high for 15 minutes and then on low medium for another 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from steamer, cool and then refrigerate till ready to serve.
Garnish & Serve
- Before serving, garnish with fruits, sliced almonds or crushed pistachios and mint leaves..
Notes
1. Since we are doing a cold infusion of lemon flavors, the lemon flavor will be very subtle and not overpowering.
2. You can make this as individual servings or as one big pudding, to be cut and served. Note that the pudding is not very stiff, so when you cut a piece from the big one, you might squish it and it might not retain it's shape. Instead you can make individual servings. If you have corning ware ramekins you can use them. Or any other small bowl should work.
3. Considering an individual serving size of half a cup, this recipe serves 6 to 7 people.
4. Cook time given in the recipe is the time required for one batch of the pudding. If your steamer cannot hold all the individual bowls, you will have to do this in batches. Calculate the cook time accordingly.
Becky Winkler says
Yum! This looks amazing. I love cardamom in desserts!
Raquel says
I have never had this dessert, but it looks amazing! Also love your tips on blogging. Happy Blogversary to you!
Framed Recipes says
Raquel, Thanks for stopping by. This is a super easy dessert that I make often since it is just mixing and steaming.
alkajena . says
Happens to know about your blog from Meri Rasoi's share and I must admit u deserve all the credit for ur blog...since new to this Blogging world ur words makes a lot of sense. Congratulations on Ur Blog's anniversary and wish to see more and more yummy recipes from ur blog.
http://www.culinaryxpress.com
Framed Recipes says
Subha is a dear friend whom I met on G+. Happy that we found each other through her. Thanks for stopping by.
Gauri Kulkarni says
Came across your blog for t first time and what an occassion!!! Your blog's birthday!!! Congratulations and wish you many many more. Loved to be in your space. Lovely presentation, clicks and recipe. I agree on all your points - the best being "Respect other bloggers" 🙂
-cookininpajamas.blogspot.in
Framed Recipes says
Thanks Gauri for stopping by. I loved the name of your blog. Stay in touch.
kushi says
WOW n WOW!! Beautifully Written..Congratulations!! Great blog, Great Presentation and Great recipe!!!!Loved it!!
Framed Recipes says
Thank you Kushi for stopping by here and also for the beautiful words. Have a great day.
Ritu ahuja says
Congrats and best wishes for your blog anniversary dear. Beautifully narrated, I think all food bloggers can relate to it. I must say, your blog is beautiful with lovely and awesome pictures and recipe. Love visiting your blog always. This recipe is new for me, I will definitely give it a try. Super lovely clicks. Anyone can get tempted to see these pics. Wish you all the best. 🙂
Framed Recipes says
Thanks a ton Ritu. I am so glad that we connected. Happy Blogging.
Sushma says
So the journey of blogging and more than that journey of a blogger is put so well that I can imagine myself in your shoes.. We grow each day and become a true observant in real sense and try to get inspired from every little possible thing around us; be it the ingredients used in any dish or any petal used for garnishing.. Hoping to grow together in this world of blogging..
All the very wishes for this special day.. 🙂
Framed Recipes says
Sushma, It was really sweet of you to have visited my blog. I would like to visit yours too. Please let me know your blog link. Happy Blogging.
Sushma Iyer says
Hi.. Here is the link to my blog.. http://spicesnflavors.com/
Somehow missed the notification from DISQUS.. 🙂
Framed Recipes says
No worries. You have a wonderful blog too. Stay in touch. Happy Blogging.
Nandini says
Congrats and Best Wishes! A very nice blog, awesome recipes and great writing!!
- Nandini - Your neighbor 🙂
Framed Recipes says
Hey Nandini, Happy that you stopped by. Thanks for the wishes...... :).
Rafeeda A. Raheem says
Happy to be here and so glad to have found you! Congrats on ur first anniversary and I agree to every single word you have mentioned about blogging! I am not lucky to have the HD as the photographer, but do try to learn the trade yourself so that you can reduce your dependence! 🙂 The Bappa Doi looks amazing, I have made it a couple of times and loved it a lot, love all the sprinkling of the fruits!
Framed Recipes says
Thank you Rafeeda A. Raheem for stopping by. I appreciate your feedback. Yes, I have to start learning to take pictures, but it is easy to depend on him to get it done. I should consider your advice seriously. BTW, do you blog?
Rafeeda A. Raheem says
Yes dear, I do! Do drop by my little space whenever you are free... http://www.thebigsweettooth.com 🙂
Framed Recipes says
Thank you Rafeeda for letting me know of your space in the blogging world. You have an amazing collection of recipes. Stay in touch.
Vidya Srinivasan says
Looks delicious:-) easy and great treat for sweet lover like me
Framed Recipes says
Thanks Vidya
Savita Chefdehome says
First of all Congrats!! Pictures your click are actually frame-worthy! 🙂 This is how I remember about you. I commend you one this well written post. Plus, I agree with every word you wrote. Blogging is not so simple business and not possible without support of family. Wish you a great year ahead! 🙂 Happy Blogging!
Framed Recipes says
Thanks Savita for your kind words. Your blog is amazing and is treasure trove of recipe collection. Your posts inspire me. Thanks for being the inspiration and the encouragement you give - it is priceless.
Anupama says
I couldn't agree more!! A lot of sweat and tears, not to mention the many fears which make a blog. Happy Birthday to Framed Recipes 🙂 and many more happy returns! beautifully presented Bhapa Doi 🙂
Framed Recipes says
Thank you so much Anupama. Like you said, lots of sweat and tears but the happiness at the end of it - that is what makes it worthwhile.
Anupama says
yes dear, no denying that fact either :)) happy blogging dear Sreelatha :))
Framed Recipes says
Happy Blogging to you too.... Anupama
Teena Pappachan says
Congratulations Sreelatha 🙂 Wish you many more...Stunning pics, scrumptious desserts and well written post...agree with you totally 🙂
Framed Recipes says
Thanks Teena. I am glad we connected in the blogging world.
Piyali Muthha says
Many Congratulations. Cheers to many such milestones in the months to come. Loved the write up. Your experience from the start of your blog to where it stands today touched me as I could easily identify with all that you were saying. I love stories preceding a recipe and therefore all Blogs containing one keep me glued.
Being a Bengali I am thrilled that you chose BHAPA DOI as your Blog's birthday post. That touched an emotional cord. And off course the BHAPA DOI was clicked so beautifully which is the ace in all your posts, your stunning pictures.
All the best and happy blogging.
Framed Recipes says
Thanks Piyali. It gives me immense happiness to read your comments. It is like talking to you face to face. You have a way with words and I look forward to your comments.
Kimberly Ds says
Love the recipe. And yes, I am a new blogger and have just begin to realize the hard-work that goes into it. Especially for food bloggers!
Framed Recipes says
Thanks for stopping by Kimberly. True that! Never realized food blogging could be so hard. But I am enjoying every moment of it. And I am sure yo too are. Love reading your posts on your blog. Stay in touch.