December for me is an exciting month of the year. Even though the days are shorter and colder than usual, the spirit of the holidays lingers on; it is hard to ignore the excitement going around. But as days draw closer to the end of the month and as the clock resets to a new year  and, it is but natural to reflect back on the things that happened the past year, ponder over the what if’s and also hope for an exciting and  fruitful next year.

 

These last few days I have been pondering about what 2008 has meant to us. It has been a fruitful year and one which is full of blessings. In terms of my food blogging, I feel lucky to have discovered this medium. I started blogging a year and half ago and now I can safely say that this has become my hobby and my passion. I started off here by using the free hosting site of WordPress and this year in April I moved to my own domain here at RedChillies.

 

Blogging is not only a platform for me for sharing recipes and ideas, but also a good way of learning new ideas. Blogging also keeps my mind occupied and helps me streamline my thoughts by removing unnecessary chatter. Balancing home, work and family is not easy task as many times there are clashes in priorities. Fortunately I have found that blogging relaxes me as I am able to take off my mind of stressful matters be it related to work or home. The thought of trying out new recipes, cooking ideas, presentation etc is able to calm my nerves and gives me the much needed distraction. 

Having my own domain also this gave me an opportunity to start FoodWorld, a food blog aggregator. It was a very good learning experience and has given me insights about blogging software and technology that I was not aware of before. I am happy with the way things have shaped up and I feel it is a very useful way of bringing our small food community together.

 

 

Picking only a handful of recipes is not an easy task, but I have selected some of my family favorites here from different categories like breakfast, appetizers, rice, curry and desserts. Hope you all enjoy these too:

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Poori and Vegetable Saagu (Karnataka Style)

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Crispy Urad Daal Vada Medu Vada(Uddina Vade)

 

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 Bhindi in Spicy Coconut Curry (Bhendya Gojju)

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Mango Coconut Burfi  

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No-fry Sesame coated Chickpea Falafel /Spicy Bean Pattis

 

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                                   Easy Breezy Vegetable Pulao/ Jhatphat Pulao

In this process of blogging, I have learnt a lot from other fellow bloggers. Not just new recipes and cooking techniques but ideas about presentation, effective writing and photography. Even though I am an introvert, and do not reach out to people easily blogging has helped me in making friends from all the parts of the world.

 

I have not set any resolutions for myself as I know that I will not follow it just 21 days after the New Year has started. But the important hope is to continue blogging, try out new recipes, diversify and try my hand at baking.

 

This is my last post for this year. I thank you all for the warm comments, wonderful support and that strives me to do more. Wishing you all the very best and hope for a fruitful next year. See you all in 2009!

 

Off this goes to Srivalli’s “Best of 2008” event.

 
 
 
 
 

 

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31 Replies to “2008, the year that was and a look ahead”

  1. Wonderful post and nicely written Supriya. Loved all the best of 2008 picks..
    Wishing you and your family a very happy holiday season and a great new year..

    P.S: Thankyou for fixing the problem with my post 🙂

  2. Hey That was a very sweet post.. Loved all the dishes that you have featured here. You write really well and I keep coming back to your site as I have to read a lot of stuff that I have missed :d Have a wonderful new year. See you next year with new creations 😀

  3. very nice post indeed..i read it over and over, because it was so very nicely said and great picks of 2008 too..yes, i too dont like to make any resolutions, but hope to do the best I can. I hope the new year brings u the best and hope to see more new recipes here! happy blogging and happy new year:)

  4. Lovely post n looking forward for ur amazing collections of creative dishes RC..wishing Happy new year to you with more n more happiness, health n wealth..

  5. Lovely selection of wonderful recipes
    Enjoyed walking down the lane with u
    Wishing you and your Family a wonderful,fun and food filled Happy New year 🙂

  6. Thanks so much Maya. Happy new year to you as well.

    Thanks for the warm wishes dear Mahimaa. Happy new year to you as well.

    Hey Uj, that was very sweet of you. Those warm comments mean so much to me. Hugs to you and a Happy New Year to you and your family as well.

    Thank you very much dear Keerthana. That was a very encouraging and heartful comment. That really makes me strive to do my best. Happy New year and hope you have a good one ahead.

    Thank you for the warm wishes Priya. I could not get a better wish for the new year. Happy New year to oyu and your family dear girl.

  7. Thank you dear Soma. Happy New Year to you and your family. Wishing you the best in the year ahead.

    Thank you so much TBC. Wishing you a happy new year as well.

    Thanks Sangeeth for the warm comments and wishes. You have granted me a sweet wish. Wishing you a Happy New year as well.

    Thanks Usha. Wishing you and your family a Happy New year as well.

  8. Thanks a bunch Madhu. Happy new year to you and your family as well. Hugs to you girl.

    Thanks so much Bee. Wishing you a very happy and fun filled new year as well.

    Thanks Alka. The pleasure is all mine. It is nice knowing about you. wishing you and your family a Happy New Year.

    ISG, it is like wise :-)I enjoy reading so much information from your blog. i have learnt so much from you. Happy New year to you and your family as well.

  9. You have done a great job, creating an aggregator 🙂 Bravo to bring us together and maintaining…. Great presenta and dishes , keep up ur work. Wish you a Prosperous New Year!

  10. Perfect post to end the year.I had seen the telgraph article and it was nice to see the person behind the chillies in it.You have done a great job-starting foodworld.What you said about blogging is true in my case as well.I started blogging as I was cut off from bookworld (my hobby is reading) after coming to US,but I got so many ideas,new recipes,new cuisines,I sometimes wonder why I did not start blogging earlier.I used to stare at the baked goodies at so many websites,now I cannot believe I have started baking.Baking has been the biggest plus point of my starting to blog and the first thing I will buy when I go back is an oven.
    BEST WISHES FOR A PROSPEROUS &HEALTHY NEW YEAR & LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE MORE GOODIES FROM YOU.
    PS: I love the pecan cookies.

  11. Hi …i am new here dear. both to ur blog n blogosphere.

    wanted to stop by n compliment this place u have 🙂

    one lil request though…cud u plz help me with creating tags for my dishes…like i want to sort them under main course, desserts etc..but have no know-how 🙁
    new..only 2 months old blog..so still learning, wud be glad if u cud help/

    thanks
    hugs
    happy new year
    Navita

  12. Thanks so much Uma. Happy New Year to you and your family as well. 🙂

    Tahnks so much Cham. I have really learnt a lot creating FoodWorld and I am so glad we are in this together. Happy New Year to you and your family.

    Tahnks Sowmya. Family favorites are always the best right?Happy New Year to you and your family.

    Thanks Laavanya. Happy New Year to you and your family. Give the little one a big hug from me on the New Year.

  13. That is so sweet and the same from you too. Thanks Mandira. Happy New Year to you and your family.

    Thanks Sweatha that was very warm comment. I am so glad that FoodWorld is keeping us together. I am learning a lot from it.
    I am so glad that you found a passion.I feel that motivates us to do so much better and be more creative. Keeps our mind relaxed. It was very nice to know about you as well. Wishing you and your family the very best and a HAppy New Year.

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