Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Seven

A little while ago, I was invited by three fellow food bloggers, Vanessa, Nicole and Nancy, to participate in My 7 Links Project. I was flattered that they thought of me but was a little hesitant to "play" since I don't usually take part in similar projects. I found it interesting though and actually gave me the chance to reflect on my almost two years of blogging.

In search of the posts that would best fit the categories designated by the project, I went back through my archives and read some of my earlier posts as well as some recent ones. I found myself craving a lot of the food I have been cooking over these past two years and realized that I have become a better cook because of this blog.
I also became aware of how much my writing and photography has improved and evolved, and how this creative outlet has morphed into something that I am really proud of.

What was admittedly surprising, was the realization of how much this blog has become a part of my life and how much of my life I have been sharing through it with you, my readers.
So I would like to thank each and every one of you for coming to this space of mine, for reading my words and cooking my food, for sharing your own thoughts, ideas and stories with me, and for making all this worthwhile.


Here's my list of 7:

1. My most beautiful post





It was difficult to choose this one. They are all my "babies", how can I pick one?
In the end, I had to go with the Triple Chocolate Cake that I made for my birthday last November. Yes, I know not too many people make their own birthday cakes but I did, and it was perfect.








2. My most popular post





I couldn't believe it when I looked at my blog's statistics, but the most popular post on the English page (stats on the Greek page are different) is my very own recipe for Greek Baked Giant Beans. This is a dish which I make about once a month—that's how much I love it—but the fact that people all over the world enjoy it too, is just amazing. Greek giant beans rock!








3. My most controversial post





The post on which ingredients should and shouldn't be included in a real Greek Horiatiki Salad is not a controversial one per se, but it was the post that stirred up the most conversation in the comments.








4. My most helpful post





In many of my posts, I include tutorials and comprehensive instructions on how to clean, handle or cook certain ingredients, but the one featuring my recipe for Greek Mussel Pilaf was much appreciated for its instructions on how to clean mussels.








5. The post whose success surprised me





When I posted my Greek Beef Stew from the Island of Kefalonia on top of Tubular Pasta named "Pastitsada", I never expected it to be such a hit. Surely, for many Greeks this is a classic dish that we love and cook often in our homes in one version or another, but I never expected people all over the world to embrace it. It was such a pleasant surprise.








6. The post that didn't get the attention it deserved





My post for the famous Greek dip Taramosalata, was one of my earlier posts so I wouldn't expect it to be successful since not many people followed my blog back then. I was expecting for more people to discover it though as time went by. Taramosalata is the ultimate mezes. It is a salty, rich, slightly sweet, creamy dip that's honestly one of the best dips Greek cuisine has to offer.








7. The post I am most proud of





Without a doubt, my post titled "Family ties" is very close to my heart. It is a personal post in which I describe the cuisine I grew up with, "Politiki Cuisine" (the cuisine of the Greeks from Constantinople). I talk about an important person in my life, my grandfather, who was an excellent home cook and a great inspiration to me, and I cook Greek Manti, the recipe I am most proud to have mastered and perhaps my favorite one on the blog thus far.







I would like to invite the following five bloggers to take part in this project, share their own seven links and continue the fun, and I encourage all of you to visit their wonderful sites.

David of Cocoa & Lavender
Peter of Souvlaki For The Soul
El of Fresh
Peter of Kalofagas
Maria of Organically Cooked



18 comments:

  1. Magda, I really enjoyed reading that. It was very interesting, thank you!

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  2. Thanks for sharing the links. They are all lovely posts.

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  3. Magda,

    What a glorious post! I can't believe your post for Greek dip didn't get more attention. I for one am very much looking forward to trying it. Thank you for thinking of me too!

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  4. Anna, Ellie — thanks!

    El — yes, I wish more people get to discover it. It's delicious!
    You're welcome!

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  5. Very interesting! I enjoyed all the dishes, but am most interested in the Greek manti (since I know the Armenian version); one reason is I was planning to post on manti soon!

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  6. it was the beans that brought me to your blog and i still have not found giant beans here in the uk :((but i do substitute :))
    the cake is on my to do list.

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  7. I really loved your post on manti and I have the chocolate cake bookmarked for my birthday in November. Must have missed the post on baked beans, they look wonderful! It's nice to see some older posts highlighted.

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  8. Wow, that cake really is beautiful!!! Great list :)

    Sues

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  9. tasteofbeirut — I'm looking forward to trying your version Joumana.

    linda — oh, that's too bad you can't find them there. I know I can't find them here in Holland either. My family sends them to me from Greece.

    Tamsin — they are wonderful indeed. I hope you enjoy the cake when you make it for your birthday. I know I did. And I actually made it again last month and it was even better than the first one!

    We Are Not Martha — thank you Sues!

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  10. What a beautiful list! Great variety of dishes...I'm going to have to try those baked beans!

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  11. Very cool! I like your Manti as a fellow Asia minor Greek. I am drooling at all your pictures. And taramousalata is tops in my blogger heart :-)

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  12. Magda, I'm so glad you decided to play---and I concur with your choice of "most proud"---a wonderful post about family and food and tradition.

    Now I'm off to read your taramosalata one, and give it some deserved attention.

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  13. Magda, that was a nice walk down memory lane for me, since you were one of the first food blogs I started reading, I had seen most of these posts. I continue to admire your attention to detail and talent!!!

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  14. Mάγδα μου συγχαρητήρια! Πέρα από υπέροχές νοστιμιές κάνεις απίστευτες παρουσιάσεις!
    Ξέρεις ότι για μένα είσαι πρώτυπο στις παρουσιάσεις!
    Φιλιά πολλά , εύχομαι να είσαι καλά και καλό φθινόπωρο!

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  15. hi magda, wonderful idea - i will take it up
    it's good to admire yourself for your own achievements, we should all be proud of our contribution to the food blogging world

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  16. All great posts. For me under 'The most intriguing' post, I'd choose
    your purple and golden beet chips

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  17. love your list .. specially the number 1 ..

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  18. It was wonderful looking through all your picks, that chocolate layer cake looks divine!

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