Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Happy Birthday ! ...My Annual Roundup and a Giveaway

Best Blogger Tips
Gastronome By Choice completes its first year today. It's been a wonderful and exciting journey so far. When I started blogging, I never in my wildest dreams imagined that this blog will go so far and be so well received.
Now that a year goes by, here's the opportunity to roll out the credits and vote of thanks to all the people behind (promise it will not be a tear jerker). First and foremost, Thanks to Sudhindra for introducing me to the blogosphere. Sudhi, really owe it to you for this and those amazing times at office discussing the big bad world and how two old guys on the wrong side of 30 are coping with it (Krithika, If you are reading it in Chennai...you know what we discuss and laugh about).
My spouse, Subha has been a real pillar throughout my life come what may and has really motivated me to do more than I would have usually done. Though I started this blog, she made me really go the whole nine yards with this blog, just as she has been pushy about me pursuing my love for golf and going back to painting the canvases.
Harry has been extremely kind in raving about my blog and giving me the sense of satisfaction with doing this thing.
Last but not the least, a big thanks to all those who found the time to come to my blog, read it and post their comments. I know, I have been a real jerk in not replying to all those comments and not even complimenting by going back to your blogs and posting comments, but with a job which is anything but a 9 to 5 thing, 2 kids who are mischief personified and a whole big load of extra hobbies to devote time to, it really becomes a grind. I promise though, that I will improve on this and for starters reply back to the comments in time. Again, thanks Srivalli, Arundati, Swati, Arundathi, Nags, Divya, Mansi, Jayasree, and all others who I cannot recollect at this moment.
Coming to the point. Here's the round-up of the year gone by, the recipes that I have posted and the giveaway.













Beverages :
Burning Peaches (Cocktail)
Tiranga (Cocktail)
Screwdriver (Cocktail)

Starters:
Khaman
Bread Pakoras
Cilantro Falafel with Star Anise flavored Soy Garlic Humus
Potato Chops
Lachhedar Aloo
Tandoori Gobi
Achari Paneer Tikka
Murg Malai Tikka (Creamy Chicken Kababs)
Vegetable Skewers
Cocktail Sticks
Momo's
Chicken 65
Chicken Fry

Veg Dishes & Accompaniments:
Ennai Kathrikai
Aloo Poshto
Tamatar Ka Saar
Mirch Ka Salan
Tamatar aur Chana Dal Ka Salan
Lasan Ka Salan
Dry Fruit Salan
Gobi Aur Mirch Ka Salan
Kache Pyaaz Ka Khatta
Stuffed Chili with coconut peanut sauce
Paruppu Usili (Lentil Curry)
Chhole Bhature
Baghare Baingan
Beetroot Fry
Kashmiri Mushroom
Khumb Masaledaar
Pickled Carrot Relish
Paneer Makai
Vengaya Sambar ( Lentil Curry with shallots)
Mint Potatoes
Heart Shaped Cheese Mushroom Ravioli in Herbed Tomato Sauce

Chicken Dishes:
Murg Kairi ( Chicken with raw mango)
Hyderabadi Anjeer Murg (Chicken in Figs Gravy)
Chicken Whatever
Olive Chicken
Butter Chicken
Hot Garlic Chicken
Murg Patiala

Mutton:
Mutton Chops Kozhambu
Malabar Mutton Curry

Seafood:
Hari Machhli
Konkani Fish Curry
Rice Crusted Snapper
Narangi Mahi ( Pan seared fish with orange dill & vodka)
Squid Fritters
Prawn Curry
Jhinga Samarkand

Rice:
Puliyogare (Tamarind Rice)
Carrot Rice
Bohri Biryani
Hyderabadi Biryani

Breakfast:
Sabudana Khichadi
Carrot Idli
Strawberry Smoothie
Chocolate Muffins
Banana Bread

Desserts:
Khubani Ka Meetha (Indian Apricot Compote)
Gajjar Halwa with Star Anise
Poached Spiced Pears in Pear Sauce
Baked Figs Jamun-E-Gul
Pineapple Calypso
Apple Torte
Strawberry Cheesecake
Cheesecake Omnia

Wow! I cannot believe I cooked up that much in the year gone by.
Now coming to the giveaway. Choose the 5 best recipes that I have posted in the year gone by and post it in the comments section. A panel independent of myself but consisting of my better half and some fellow foodies (read a motley group of fellow colleagues who love gluttony and some old pals who are chefs worldwide) will choose the best 5. The one's that come closest to that list stand to win specially designed cooking aprons. I have 3 aprons to give away. Wish I could have put up a photo of them but after I finished designing them for myself and placed the order much time had gone by and they are still being made. I have designed it myself and gone through the trouble of going through each and every detail alongwith Subha.
We post the lucky one's names on the 20th of this month.

15 comments:

Marlene McGarrity said...

I haven’t made a lot of your recipes, so I will start with what I have made – the Tiranga drink. Sorry if the foodies don ‘t agree, but this drink was a big deal for me to make because it has layers and I never made a drink with layers.

2.Bread pakoras – delicious.
3. Murg Patiala - Haven't made it yet, but my sweetie would like this one
4. Olive Stuffed Chicken – this one is just so pretty and I love olives
5. Baghare Baingan – I love this, but haven’t made your yet

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary to you! It must have been a year full of fun! And wow, what a great roundup! You have surely cooked a lot:) They all look so delicious! I must try something from your glorious collection!

KALVA said...

Congratulations dear.. God going.. awesome recipes..

Lakshmi said...

Happy Birthday to your blog and you have a good collection of recipes.

jayasree said...

Happy blog birthday Gaurav. You have a long way to go. Loved your roundup which is a very good collection of recipes.

Arundathi said...

happy blogday! and thats a lot of recipes - good going! :)

Srivalli said...

Gaurav, congratulations on the first year! Expecting you to do many more years to come. That list you have put up is really rocking!!..seriously the pictures are looking all so tempting!!...great going, its always been a pleasure visiting your space, reading your titbits on the dish..appriciate Subha for all the support she has given in getting this space so successful..

coming to the list I have bookmarked/like

Beetroot Fry - cos you said you make it for your wife..so sweet..and this is also the way I make, so I know this is yummy..
Achari Paneer Tikka--paneer is my fav, I loved the picture and have been planning to make..
Hyderabadi Biryani--as I said my hubby's fav..will try this out soon..
Butter Chicken--remember I asked for the recipe!!..
Murg Patiala--like the spices that have gone in..surely on the list next!!!


enjoy and come up with more!

Gaurav said...

Thanks Farida...its been a delicious year surely :)
Thnks ladies for being so kind and leaving your comments.
Queen of the click ( nice nick) ...thnks ...the murg patiala is amazing...it just turned out beyond my expectations.
Sri, thnks for yr comments.The shahi paneer is still in the works. :)

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Congratulations on the anniversary.

Aparna Balasubramanian said...

Happy Blog anniversary.
Have to say you've picked a great way to commemorate it.

@the_whisk_affair said...

Congratulations on the completion of a year with your blog. Happy Anniversary!! But I must say that the task you gave us is super-tough! I wish you had asked for 10 favourites! Anyways, these are my choices

Tiranga drink - who wouldnt love this!! The look itself is tempting, no wonder I chose it first!

Prawns curry - hmm, yumm! I love prawns and the curry looks awesome!

Achari paneer tikka - Paneer is an absolute favourite of mine, and would love to try it!

Pineapple calypso - again, the presentation and the looks of the dish is really tempting.

Chicken 65 - the color and the texture looks fantastic!! I have had it before, and I gotta have some!

Great idea on celebrating your first year! May you be successful for years to come! :-)

kamewh said...

Here are my top 5 :)

Cilantro Falafel with Star Anise Flavored Soy Garlic Hummus

Murg Kairi

Olive Stuffed Chicken

Poached Spiced Pears in Pear Sauce

Sabudana Khichadi


Congrats on your anniversary!

Lore said...

Happy bloggiversary :). I've just discovered your blog and cannot wait to read more about these beautiful dishes you posted about. The photos are so inviting!

Gaurav said...

Thanks Lore ...tht was kind! yr site has some killer recipes too...highly recommended.
Aparna thnx and I hope I didn't overdo it :)
Thnx for the congratulatory messages ladies...this is what keeps me going :)

HS Bedi said...

You have proved as to how a hobby can truly turn into a cult following... A super job well done and all the very best going foward!!!!!!

I'll still win my breakfast from you every Sunday morning in the Golf game though.....

:o)

Cheers, Harry

 
Design by Free WordPress Themes | Bloggerized by Lasantha - Premium Blogger Themes | Laundry Detergent Coupons