Happy 5th Blogoversary!!!! Will somebody pinch me?! I honestly cannot believe that I have been blogging since my first post back on January 19th, 2011. That is FIVE WHOLE YEARS of posting consistently 1-2 times a week. 260 weeks, 1,825 days of committing myself to this foodie journey. A journey that has taken me to places I never dreamed.
I never imagined this blogging thing would become a life’s passion and so much more than just a hobby. I’m so proud of the progress I have made as a chef (I had some embarrassing moments like these and these) and the strides I have taken as a food photographer (with hands-over-eyes emoji moments like this and this). I’ve thought about updating old recipes with better photos, or removing some posts that didn’t go over well, but the truth is, my blog is not just about the recipes and the photos, it’s about my journey.
I love when I meet up and coming foodies who are thinking about starting a blog. I always tell them to go back to the old days of BIB, and they’re always wowed by my progress. I think it’s such an important lesson for all of us, in whatever stage we find ourselves – as mothers, daughters, teachers, musicians, you name it – we can all get better at what we do, we just have to practice!
This is so true of photography, my photos are constantly evolving as I’m learning to find my photography voice. But as a foodie too – I’ve learned never to say no to anything, and my willingness to try new things has really opened up my palate. I’ve learned to love foods and spices I used to hate (like fresh ginger and brie) and not to be afraid of making my own bread or learning new cooking techniques. I have become quite fearless in the kitchen and for that I am thankful.
I’m so grateful to you, my loyal readers, who encourage me to challenge myself and wow you with fun and original twists on traditional foods, healthy spins on comfort food, and delicious baked creations which I used to detest. It’s all you. {Insert emoji kisses here}
To show my appreciation, I decided to ride the funfetti wave, because you all seemed to love last year’s funfetti cake which was so popular, it went viral! I love the idea of using the same theme for my Blogoversary each year (I wish I had thought of it sooner), so I’m going to stick with the funfetti thing for many more Blogoversaries to come!
These cute little funfetti pecan clusters are made with 5 pecans, to celebrate my 5th year of blogging! They’ve got the most incredible artisan caramel and I hope you give them a try!
In the meantime, as we head into my SIXTH YEAR (ahhhhh!), I’d love to hear from you. What would you like to see on the blog this year? What are some of your favorites from years past? Have there been any BIB kitchen fails? Please share in the comments below!
Happy Blogoversary! Cheers to many more, and hopefully a cookbook too, very soon!
Blogoversary Funfetti Pecan Turtles
2 cups pecan halves
1 recipe caramel
12 oz. good quality white chocolate
colored sprinkles
Method:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spread the pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until warm and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Cool and set aside.
Prepare the caramel as per instructions and allow to cool for 20-30 minutes until caramel has thickened and is no longer runny.
Melt the white chocolate over a double boiler.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spoon small dollops of white chocolate onto the baking sheet, using the back of the spoon to smooth it into a small circle. Arrange 5 pecan halves onto each chocolate circle, as pictured. Continue making circles of chocolate, then adding pecans until you have used up your pecans. Place the baking sheet in the fridge for a few minutes, until the chocolate has set up.
Remove the pecans from the fridge and top each cluster with caramel. Refrigerate again until caramel sets.
Place a spoonful of white chocolate over the caramel and top with colored sprinkles. Return to the fridge or set aside until chocolate is firm.
VARIATION: If you don’t want to make caramel from scratch, you may use store-bought caramels. Melt the caramels over a double boiler with a splash of heavy cream or milk and stir until smooth.
NOTE: If you make the caramel from scratch, you will have some left over. Pour the leftover caramel into a parchment lined pan and make caramel chews as per instructions.
Related Posts:
1st Blogoversary Mulled Wine
2nd Blogoversary BBQ Brisket
4th Blogoversary Funfetti Cake
My favorite recipe is the three cheese broccoli pull apart buns. I have made many variations of it and it comes out great every time. Always a crowd pleaser!
I have so many favorite recipes – One of my favorite recipes is the caeser dressing – I make it all the time.
My favorite recipe is the bundt pan rotisserie chicken.
I love the smoked turkey split pea soup recipe. It’s easy, delicious, and a whole meal in a bowl.
I would love to see kid-friendly and healthy supper ideas :) (do they even exist? Lol)
This isn’t a specific recipe, but I love the way you make zoodles so versatile. You use it to make healthier options to many delicious recipes.
Best recipe is your lentil soup
Want a recipe for creme brulee this year
I love the minestrone soup with zoodles and broccoli cheese buns. YUM!
Favorite recipe is the funfetti bday cake
My go to shabbos roasted jalapeño dip gets rave reviews every time I make it. Mm a def fave all around!! I follow you on instagram and have you to blame for all these extra pounds gained just by scrolling through your mouth watering picts!!!
Love the winter winner chicken dinner you posted on Instagram a couple weeks back. So easy and delicious!!!
All of your zoodle recipes I love.
I follow you on Facebook.
I follow you on Instagram.
My favorite recipe is the zaatar chicken !
My fave is your hassle back salami. I hassle back everything and with the sauce it all turns out amazing!!! I follow you on Pinterest and Instagram and would love to win the cookbook! Thanks for being such a culinary inspiration!
Hasselback Salami!
I love that you bring different cultures into your food! A lot of people tend to stick to what they are used to! I come from a Sephardi home and I married an Ashkenazi guy so I love the fact that you bring in the best of both worlds. My favorite recipe of yours is your morrocan fish balls! Such amazing flavors and taste! Everyone loves them! I would love to see some every day dinner ideas because I feel like I am always searching for quick and easy weeknight dinner ideas!
Love the beer braised brisket
Favorite recipe was the zoodle shakshuka. Would love to see more recipes with zoodles this year.
I love making your zaater crumbed eggplant for supper. It’s almost always on my weekly menu.
I love the meat lasagna,beer battered salami chips with beer mustard,drunken hasselback salami,and many more that i have tried, i would like to see a recipe for sweet & sour chicken nuggets that u make in a wok…..
The salmon with figs looks delicious!
I would love to see a few more easier recipes!
Love deviled eggs
Definitely the minestrone soup. I always make sure I have it in the freezer and after reheating just ad the zoodles and spinach!
Favorite recipe would have to be the beer braised brisket, we make it every other shabbat.
My favorite recipe is the teriyaki salmon. It is so simple amd tasty.
My favorite recipe is beet chumus deep! Thanks
MY FAVORITE RECIPE IS THE BBQ BRISKET- YUM
I’ve made many of your soups. Yummm. I would love to see more soups and savory vegetable side dishes.
My favorite is your Poutine latkes – Double YUM!
Must say, I really enjoyed the hassle back salami. I’ve made the funfetti cake many times, so good. And I have a whole list of things to try.
Would love some new soups-with ingredients that don’t require a kosher store :) and quick chicken dinners that are family friendly.
My favorite is the Tortilla Crusted Chicken Fingers (Baked!)
Love the rosh hashana dips and honey Zaatar chicken!
Was very impressed by your caramel making- def on my bucket list ( first need a candy thermometer ) I love caramel but hard to find superb cholov yisroel…
Follow on instsa
My kids loved the chocolate chili recipe!
Favorite recipe is hasselback salami! Would love to see more festive holiday dishes. Thank you
My favorite recipes are bbq brisket, poutine latkes, and hassleback salami.
So many. It especially the chili and corn bread bake.
I know you posted dairy Caramel but I’m waiting for a parve one!! (I follow you on Instagram and the blog)
Hassleback salami, need I say more??
your fingertips bday cake
I never thought I’d like gefilte fish until I made your Moroccan Fish Balls (out of gefilte fish). I love the flavor, it’s become a family favorite.
I also liked the stuffed zucchini.
Bundt Pan Rotisserie Chicken was my favorite. My favorite kosher restaurant is Jerusalem Pizza in Elizabeth NJ. I also follow you on FB
My favorite recipe has been the cowboy cookie dough balls. Its being passed around the town!
I just discovered this BIB and am loving skimming through the recipes! I can’t wait to try the meat lasagna roll ups!
My favourite recipe is definitely hassleback salami!! We love it!!
I’ve made so many of your recipes, so it’s hard to chose just one favorite, but if I have to pick I will say your Hasselback Salami is number one. I omit the drunken part, and it’s a huge favorite both with my family and guests. Thank you!
My favorite recipe is your Poutine Latkas, which have become my must-make meal for Chanuka!
The recent chicken with pineapples and sweet chilli sauce. Also the cabbage soup with flanken
Honey roasted za’atar chicken is delisious.
My teenage sons love when I make the hassle back salami
My family loves your hasselback salami – it’s now a tradition at Purim and Simchas Torah!
Also enjoyed your Chanukah coin cookies (ours were silver because Benz’s was sold out of gold spray paint!)
Love your Morrcan fish ball recipe …. Use it all the time
I love the recipe “Cream of Chicken Soup in Bread Bowls” The soup is so easy to make, and the presentation is stunning
I think my favorites include kani salad, sushi salad, and the cajun quinoa burgers
I love, love, love your shwarma salad and hasselback salami!
My absolute favorites from your blog are the London broil and the hassle back salami. My family loves these dishes!
Love ur Morrcan fish recipe use it all the time !!!
I would have to say my three favorite are the hassle back salami, split pea, smoked turkey leg soup and the olive oil chocolate Chanuka gelt cookies :)
My favorites are the hassle back salami- always a winner. And the Olive oil Chanuka gelt cookies.
The BBQ Brisket!
I follow your Instagram account.
Love the split pea soup with smoked turkey!!
Mushroom barley soup is one of my favorite !! Hope to see more soups in the up coming months !
favorite recipe: zaatar chicken.
I’d love to see some more baking! (but not from a box…)
Hard to decide which ones are my favorite. The ones I make almost every week are breaded baked gefilte and pesto salmon. I just made the blogoversary funfetti cake for my son’s first bday and it was adorable!
Those salted caramels are too die for and I love the idea of making rottiserie chicken using a bundt pan. I love all your recipes and I’m looking forward to many more unique and delicious ones!!
Hasalback Salami and the Salami chips (because, salami) is a favorite! so yum. salty and delicious.
beet salsa, baby eggplant with Israeli salad and tehina, baby eggplant parmesan
Split pea soup, apple berry crisp, sushi salad, rainbow slaw salad, chili and cornbread!
Hi Chanie
Loved the chanukah chocolate coin hot cocoa idea, zaatar kabocha and bourbon chicken. We made the cream of chicken soup in a bread bowl for dinner and family liked it and it was fun to make! Your photos are great!
I love the carrot muffins and morrocan fish balls.
The 3 cheese broccoli buns and zoodle marinara!but everthing is delicious