That first post...I must have held my breath for at least an hour (Or it seemed. Sure felt like I'd pass out.) with my finger hovering, debating if I should click "publish." The funny thing is that after all this time, I still hold my breath and pause before pressing that Publish button.
Here are some of my favorite savory dishes from my time blogging:
(in no real order)
(also in no order)
Lately I can't seem to find anything to say, staring at this blank, white box in frustration. Lists. Lists I can do. I like lists. I like to write things on lists just to scratch them out.
I don't know if I'll scratch off any of these:
My Cooking Bucket List:
1. Natchitoches Meat Pies
(pronounced Nak-uh-tish) Natchitoches, in the western portion of Louisiana, is where Steel Magnolias was filmed. But the claim to fame I'm interested in is the meat pie. A crescent-shaped fried turnover filled with seasoned ground beef and/or pork--similar to an empanada.
 |
| Along the Cane River in Natchitoches, LA It was 100+ degrees that day, but you can't tell be the picture! |
My grandpa used to make tamales, which are actually very popular in Louisiana. Zwolle, LA (just west of Natchitoches) even has a Tamale Fiesta.
3. Jelly Roll Cake
Because that spiral thing going on is almost hypnotic. But I just know when I try to roll the cake, I'm going to end up sticking pieces in a bowl and making a trifle.
4. Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
I love them, but imagine them to be a giant pain to make. Maybe I have a fear of rolling up food (see #3 above). Do you know that I make my husband roll up all the enchiladas and burritos?
5. Croquembouche
A tower of cream puffs. I mean, really, who wouldn't want that? Cream puffs themselves are not hard to make. It's my fear of stacking them and having my croquembouche look like something from Dr. Seuss that drags my feet.
~**~**~**~**~**~
Through blogging I have been fortunate to meet many kind, funny, talented, passionate, and interesting people from not only across the country, but around the world. When I post a recipe from my own culture, very often someone will comment that there is a similar dish from their own cultural heritage. Further proof that food joins us together.
~**~**~**~**~**~
Whether its been five years or one day, thank you for reading.
linking with:  |
 |
 |
 |
Happy 5 years!! Jelly rolls scare me too, I just know I'm gonna end up with a stack vs a roll. We should try them together & compare results. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Scarlett.
DeleteLet's try it. We can always eat the mistakes.
Congrats on five years!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terry!
Deleteas a relative newcomer to your blog, I for one, am sure glad you keep hitting that "send" button! Celebrate your 5 years! :-) and ...... there is nothing bad to be said about a Trifle, is there?
ReplyDeleteTrue...I have nothing bad to say about trifle. Thank you for your kind comment!
DeleteHappy 5 years! I'm so glad you blog. I don't get to drop in as often as I used to since I started teaching, but I still love to catch up when I can.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Hope you are doing well!
DeleteFive years is truly an accomplishment! Good on you! Keep true to your own values when it comes posting! That's what makes it truly your own ... don't you think? I always look forward to your unique way of looking at food !
ReplyDeleteHappy 5th anniversary! Really a lot of hard work.. its a good idea to make a summary of your favorite dishes, you know your food the best! I will explore your list and learn a few, they look wonderful !
ReplyDeleteThank you! Sometimes it is hard work.
DeleteHappy Blogiversary! Making tamales is on my bucket list, too. Every year on my birthday, my mom would make my favorites- her homemade tamales and her homemade pralines. Heaven, just heaven. I can kind of make her pralines...they taste like hers, but they're not as pretty as hers. OK, they're really homely. But tamales, I've never even tried- never brave enough to attempt such a thing. But someday, someday I will. :)
ReplyDeleteLove, Joy
Yesterfood
Tamales seem like such a huge undertaking, don't they? Sometimes homely tastes best. Thanks for stopping in, Joy.
DeleteHappy 5 Year Anniversary! I am also so glad you hit publish each time. You do such an amazing job of bring the Louisiana culture to life. I love your blog bucket list. My Mom and I have made tamales and dolmades BB (before blogging) but she has been talking about the jelly roll for years now. And I save every meat pie recipe that comes my way. Louisiana girls think alike. I have no doubt you will make them all. I can't wait to read about you experiences. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. Meat pies will probably be what I attempt first--love those things! Were tamales and dolmades difficult?
DeleteHappy Happy 5th Anniversary, Michelle. What a Milestone in the World of Blogging. Only coming up to 3 years of blogging, I have days where I think to myself, why? but then realize it is something I always follow thru on at the end of each day. I would love to try and do the stuffed grape leaves. You share so much of your wonderful self here each day.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean, Cindy. Why? But when I don't bog for a while, I miss it. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI for one, and certainly glad that you hit "publish." :) It is a pleasure to read your posts and try your recipes. Go for the meat pies next - love those things! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think meat pies will be first.
DeleteHi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteHappy 5 years Anniversary to your lovely blog! Glad to have known you even if it is thru blogging.
Here's to another year of wonderful blogging! Cheers!~
Thank you, Joyce--glad to have met you too.
DeleteMichelle, 5 years is a fantastic achievement - I'm just approaching the terrible two's. The only reason I don't get angsty about pushing publish is that I schedule ahead so can always go back and change things if I want to! Hope your next year's blogging brings you much satisfaction and fun! Off now to see you in the gumbo - wasn't able to get to it yesterday. Cheers
ReplyDeleteOh, Carole. You just have no idea. It wouldn't matter if I scheduled ahead (which I sometimes do). It's just in my nature to freak out! Thank you.
DeleteHey my friend!! (yeah I am still here!) I am so glad you are here with your 5 years experience!! I am still in Texas with limited internet but I am still watching my buds!! Happy 5 years (we totally need to toast it with, what was that great adult beverage you used on some many awesome recipes??? Hold on!! I am on my way to find out!! That's what we need to do is toast it with that......!!!! Hugs my dear friend!! Life is sooo good!!
ReplyDeletePraline liqueur. We totally need to down some of that! Thanks for stopping by, my friend!
DeleteCongratulations. 5 is a long time. I have only found you recently so I have some catching up to do.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting. Nice to "meet" you.
DeleteHey congrats on 5 years! I wish you many more, some of those recipes look awesome, I am going to have to look around!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Glad you are here. I snooped around on your blog too!
DeleteHAPPY BLOGIVERSARY my friend
ReplyDelete❤ ❤
5 years is a looooooooooooooong time, and I wish you many more ❤
Thank you, Winnie. Some times it seems longer than others!
DeleteHappy Blogiversary, cher! Your recipes are the best! An occasion worth toasting to. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteHey, lady! You're back! Will have to come see you. Thank you for the sweet comment.
DeleteThe time goes by fast, doesn't it? I don't know about you but I started blogging as an extension of my paper journals...it evolved into cooking clubs and making friends. A fun journey! Happy bloggaversary
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tina. I was never one to write journals until my son was born. I started writing milestones, funny things he did or said. Still do. I guess that sort of counts as journaling?!
DeleteCongratulations on 5 years, Michelle! I wish you all the best in the future :) Thanks so much for being an inspiration to some of us newer bloggers! {hugs}
ReplyDeleteThank you, my friend. Funny, though. I don't consider you a newer blogger...seems like I've known you forever.
DeleteCongrats on 5 years!!! I am like you... Blogging and I fight a lot. I can't wait to see your tamales and jelly roll... YUM!
ReplyDeleteSome days it's really tough to find the time and/or find something to say. It's also hard not to compare yourself to everyone else. It's worth the annoyances in the end, I think. When I read through some of my first posts, it's nice to be reminded of the stories.
DeleteWow, Michelle, congratulations on hitting that 5 year mark. I can still remember that moment of my first post too, and I did exactly the same as you sitting for what seemed like an eternity before hitting that publish button.
ReplyDeleteI'm so thrilled to have come to know you a little bit through your posts over the last couple of years. I understand that feeling of frustration that comes round every so often of feeling as though you have nothing to say - I've faced that a few times, and it does seem to pass. Anyway, I hope that you hang in there and bring us another 5 years of your wonderful posts, and in the meantime if that means just posting lists, I'd be ok with that too - you have a gift with words, and the ability to make even a shopping list seem entertaining.
With love and hugs
Sue xo
Thank you, Sue. I remember reading now and then about your blogging frustrations. You always pull out of it and offer a fantastic and beautiful dish. You may not know it, but you've introduced me to many cooking tips and nifty recipes and methods. Thank you.
DeleteCongratulations Michelle! 5 years of blogging....that is a huge accomplishment. How many recipes does that add up too:) I remember the first time I stopped by...See Ya in the Gumbo...your recipes, writing style and your love and knowledge of Louisiana, keeps me coming back~ now, about that Jelly Roll Cake....Yum! Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lynn. I can tell you that it's a lot of recipes! And pictures too. Guess I'll have to get on that jelly roll cake for ya!
DeleteCongratulations on 5 Years of Blogging! Everyone has times when it's hard to write, don't let it discourage you :) I always enjoy your posts and delicious recipes too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, April. I'm always amazed by the work you put into your site.
DeleteCongratulations Michelle! I am so happy I found your blog :-) Love checking in to see what's new.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I have made the roasted okra and tomatoes, very yummy! And without your blog and dining suggestions, I would not have been able to eat my way across New Orleans!! Keep clicking "publish"!
ReplyDeleteHappy 5 years! One of these days I'm going to figure out how long I've been blogging!
ReplyDeleteJust pinned and shared on Facebook:)) Oh yes, I am back in the internet arena! So happy to be back and reconnecting with my buddies!
ReplyDeleteHugs
I can't believe I almost missed wishing you a happy 5th!! Congratulations :)
ReplyDeleteWe so enjoy your blog and posts even though we don't often comment. :)