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

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.

Posted in: Anniversary,Annual Roundup,Food Articles,Review