Kalyn’s Kitchen Turns Nine Years Old (plus Some Things I’d Like to Know and 9 Favorite Recipes from Readers)
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| Kalyn’s Kitchen is Nine Years Old! |
Nine years ago I wrote my first unsophisticated little post on Kalyn’s Kitchen, and now each year when this anniversary date comes around, I realize again how I never dreamed all the ways this little blog would change my life. I’ll always be grateful to my brother Rand for starting me down the path to a second career as a full-time blogger, and to the fellow food bloggers who have shared their knowledge and helped me expand my skills. I also want to send thanks to my long-time web designer Jennette who keeps my blogs running smoothly and makes me look good despite my limited technological knowledge!
One thing I’ve enjoyed greatly over the past nine years is how blogging has brought so many interesting, thoughtful, and creative people into my life. Nowdays Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and Pinterest make it easier to connect with readers and fellow bloggers than in the early days, but things can also get lost in the noise of social media and I always appreciate people who make the extra effort to leave a comment on the blog or send me an e-mail. And blogging wouldn’t be much fun at all if no one was reading and interacting, so let me say a big thank you to all my readers, family members, and friends for your support through the years!
If you’re a regular follower of my blog, this seems like a good time to ask about a few things I’d love to know. (You can answer any or all of the questions in a comment here, or reach me through another type of social media if you prefer, but thanks for taking time to give feedback!)
- If you’ve been reading for a while, how did you first discover Kalyn’s Kitchen?
- What method (such as RSS, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, E-Mail Subscription, Bookmark, etc.) do you use to follow my posts?
- If you’ve tried some of my recipes, what ones did you like most? Any that didn’t work out?
- If you could whisper in my ear about something new or different you’d like to see on Kalyn’s Kitchen, what would you tell me?
One type of reader interaction I always love is when people send me their favorite recipes! I do get far more recipes from people than I can ever try or share with you here, but there have been some reader-submitted recipes through the years that been such a WOW that they’ve become personal favorites and I thought this anniversary would be a fun time to mention them. To celebrate nine wonderful years of blogging, here are nine favorite recipes I’ve gotten from readers (and keep them coming, please!)
A reader named Lori sent me this recipe for Fattoush (a Lebanese Crumbled Bread Salad with Sumac and Pita Chips), and this is a salad I make every summer when I have fresh mint and parsley.
When she shared the recipe, Lisa from Hawaii called this Dumb Salad, and after I tried it I renamed it Not-so-Dumb Salad with Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Onions, Avocado, and Balsamic Vinegar. I love how the avocado and balsamic combine to make the “dressing” for the salad.
A reader who signed the e-mail “Denise in Florida” sent me a link to Ginger-Cilantro Rice on Epicurious.com, and I modified the recipe a bit to come up with this Ginger-Cilantro Rice with Green Onions and Cilantro. If you’re a fellow cilantro fan, you will love this rice!
Long before I started doing Meatless Monday recipes every week, a reader named Paula shared this Spicy Red Lentil and Chickpea Stew that I called Paula’s Moroccan Lentil Stew, and this is something I’ve made several times for parties.
A reader named Amy sent me a recipe for a Rosemary, Mushroom, and Chickpea Ragout that I combined with ideas from my friend Stephanie’s latest cookbook to come up with this Slow Cooker White Bean, Mushroom, and Rosemary Spaghetti Squash Bowl, and even though I didn’t think the photos really captured the deliciousness of this dish, Jake and I couldn’t stop eating it when we tested the recipe.
Effie’s Easy and Amazing Cottage Cheese Salad with Za’atar is a favorite recipe that was sent to me by Effie from Israel, who also sent me some wonderful spices and other food items to help me indulge my love of Middle Eastern food.
My blog was only three years old when a reader named Jamie shared this recipe for Baked Falafel Patties with Yogurt-Tahini Sauce, and I just can’t say enough good things about how delicious this is. (A blogging friend named Nupur was the source for the sauce which was so great with the Falafel.)
A reader named John sent me a Mediterranean Mahi Mahi recipe that I adapted to make this Pan-Seared and Roasted Mahi Mahi with Mediterranean Salsa and Feta, and this was another one that Jake and I went crazy over, even though we tested it on a day when we made several other recipes.
A reader named Robin shared this recipe for Strawberry Spinach Salad with Almonds and Dill way back in 2009. Robin told me she really loved this recipe, and so did I!
And last but not least, the most recently-featured recipe from a reader is this Mediterranean Spaghetti Squash Sauteed with Vegetables and Feta, sent to me by a very nice reader named Joyce. I just shared this recipe a few weeks ago, and it already has quite a few fans who seem to be enjoying it as much as I did!
More Blog Anniversary Posts:
Kalyn’s Kitchen Turns One
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70 Comments on “Kalyn’s Kitchen Turns Nine Years Old (plus Some Things I’d Like to Know and 9 Favorite Recipes from Readers)”
Thanks Karen. It has been fun, and look at all the nice people I've met!
Yum! The not so dumb salad looks great. Congrats on 9 years. That is quite the accomplishment 🙂
Hi Sandy,
Glad you've been enjoying the blog. Actually I love beets, but they are most definitely not South Beach Diet friendly (too high in sugar) so that's why I tend to avoid them. But maybe I can think of an idea that doesn't use too many of them with some other low-glycemic foods, we'll see.
Kalyn – I found your blog many years ago (can't even remember) when I was searching google for South Beach recipes. I have cooked more recipes from your blog than any other. My favorite of all is https://kalynskitchen.com/2009/12/crockpot-or-stovetop-recipe-for-ham-and.html. Happened to receive some leftover Honeybaked Ham after Christmas. Tried this recipe and thought I was in heaven. The cabbage gets almost melty and luscious. Ham was fabulous. Loved it!
Best wishes for the future of your blog. I check in almost everyday. I've "liked" you on Facebook, bookmarked you and have you on my RSS Feed.
Unless you hate beets, I'd like to see more recipes for them. Even just canned beets with vaigrettes. I'm looking for easy fast throw togethers and I love canned beets.
Thanks Jeanette. Who imagined we would still be going strong so many years later?
Congrats on 9 years Kalyn! Your blog was one of the first I started reading when I started blogging. I have really enjoyed seeing your blog evolve and expand in content over the years, and look forward to more in the coming years. Thanks for setting a high standard for me and others.
S, thanks so much for that nice feedback!
Happy blog birthday, and wish you growing success.
A couple of years back, I landed on your blog via Google search and have been a regular reader since. I follow the blog via RSS and am also on the FB page.
Have tried many of your salad recipes with carrots/beans and loved the results With a few accessible ingredients and techniques, your recipes make the "ordinary" become remarkable!
I've been reading your blog for years, Kalyn, and I think I found it when I was searching for SB recipes. I subscribe to your posts through a RSS feeder, and I have also liked your page on FB.
I especially appreciate your large collection of phase 1 recipes. My favorites include several of your cabbage salads and West African Peanut Stew. So yummy! Have you tried adding spinach to the stew? It's a perfect complement and adds so much nutrition!
Sissy, I love that you have one of my recipes memorized! Glad you have enjoyed it.