August 22, 2012

Celebrating 5th year blog-o-anniversary with Jalapeno Corn Bread Muffins | Easy Vegetarian Bean Chilli Recipe | giveaway(s)



Just pinch me Will ya? I can't believe its been 5 years since I started this little blog of mine. 5? Are you kidding me? that is like half-a-decade!. Every single moment, every single recipe and every single thought I put in here is so worthwhile and so exhilarating & relaxing at the same time. How can such feelings co-exist? Well, I am still figuring that out. :-)

Right now as I look back, its not the numbers that matter to me but the evolution and the experience itself. I got to know an amazing bunch of people through blogging. They inspire me. teach me and be there during my happy times and also at the times of despair. Some live in various parts of the world, many whom I never met but they are just a phone call or an email away!. Wow, can such virtual relationships sustain over time? Apparently yes. I am eternally grateful to God for sending them to me. You know who you are and Thank you for your love and  for just being a part of my life.

Scroll down for a chance to win a pair of those beautiful blue handmade clay mugs
A birthday is never complete without a cake. Isn't it? But, for today I made few quick Jalapeno Corn Bread Muffins served with Vegetarian Chilli. It is a combination I very much miss since we moved back to India, so I thought what better occasion do I need to feature these two recipes on the blog. As a way to say Thank you for your affection and support over all these years, I planned a few exciting giveaways for you all. Enjoy!

I used bottled jalapenos for the recipe.

mint and coriander

{Recipe} Jalapeno Corn Bread Muffins

Adapted from Escapades

Makes 4 muffins

Ingredients:

3/4 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup whole wheat flour (atta)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1.5 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup tightly packed herbs - mint & coriander/cilantro
2 tbsp chopped jalapeno peppers
1 egg
2 tbsp olive oil
3/4 cup milk (or buttermilk)

Preparation:

Step 1: Pulse cornmeal until smooth texture. In a mixing bowl, add cornmeal, whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix.


Step 2: Add herbs and jalapenos to it. 


Step 3: In an another bowl, beat together - egg, olive oil and milk.


Step 4: Add wet mixture to dry ingredients and gently mix everything.


Step 5: Preheat oven to 180 C or 350 F. Grease ramekins with olive oil and pour 3/4ths with batter. Top with some chopped jalapenos if desired. Bake for 18-20 mins until a toothpick or skewer when inserted in the center comes out clean. Rest for 10 mins. 


Step 6: Run a knife around the edges and carefully unmold. Serve as a side accompaniment with soups, stew or chilli (recipe below). Wrap the rest of the muffins in a plastic cling to prevent from drying out. Microwave for few seconds and they are as good as fresh. 

I won this set of ramekins as a giveaway from Divya's blog. :-)

{Recipe} Easy Vegetarian Bean Chilli 



Ingredients:

3 cups boiled beans - I used chickpeas, black eyed peas, pinto beans and soya beans.
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 cups water
1 tbsp cumin powder
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
grated cheese, for topping

Preparation:

1. In a big pot, heat olive oil and saute onion and garlic for few minutes. Add carrot and peppers. Cook until soft.

2. Stir tomatoes and beans. On a low heat, cook for 3-4 minutes. Season with salt, chilli and cumin powder and pepper. Add water and continue cooking by stirring once or twice in the middle for 30-40 minutes.

3. Top with grated cheese and Serve hot with cornbread. Save left overs in refrigerator or freeze.

Sending this Vegetarian Bean Chilli as entry to My Legume Love Affair # 50, hosted by Susan this month.



Now for the fun part. To celebrate the blog-o-anniversary, I have some goodies for you all. Just like before, there are two giveaways. One for Indian readers and other for rest of the world.


For Indian readers - A chance to win a pair of "Mended" Stoneware Mugs, hand crafted by Rekha Goyal, a Mumbai-based sculptor. I purchased them a week ago on Shopo and loved them very much. The mugs are microwave proof, oven proof and are beautiful as food props. Along with these, there is also a Rs 1,000 Flipkart gift voucher up for grabs. One winner will be randomly chosen for both the giveaways.

For readers from outside India - You guys have an opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Yay!

Here is what you need to do:

1. Leave a comment on this post. As simple as that. It is important to mention your countryso that you are entered for the respective drawing.

To increase your chances in the random drawing, do one or more of the following and leave a comment once you did so. 

2. Follow Cooking With Siri on Facebook and/or 
Follow me on Twitter. - @sirime

3. Subscribe to Cooking With Siri feed.

4. Tweet about this giveaway. Feel free to use the below text -
5th blog-o-anniversary celebrations. Comment and win cool #giveaways on @sirime's blog. http://www.tinyurl.com/cwsanniversarygiveaway

If you are already liked me on facebook, following on twitter or subscribed to RSS feed, just leave a comment letting me know and you are entered in the giveaway automatically! These giveaways are open for everybody, You don't have to be a blogger to win them.

Last date for participation is August 31st 2012 midnight IST and two winners randomly picked will be announced on September 1st 2012. . 


Enter and Win. All the very best. 


Cheers to many more such happy times,







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97 comments :

  1. Thrilled to be the first one to send you my congratulations for the anniversary. I find it amazing too, that I've been writing my blog for 5 years and also that a good number of the blogs I follow are about the same age: what was about 2007 that made us embrace this medium? Love the mugs and what's inside them and the cornbread muffins. I've been making a lot of cornbread recently and really like how it goes well with many dishes.
    Many happy returns of the day, dear Siri, and thanks for keeping us posted on the disbursements to the ashram.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Simona. Congratulations on your 5th year of blogging. Guess we are the batch of year 2007 who coincidentally started at the same time. It is great knowing you and your blog. Hugs.

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  2. Many congratulations. Wish you many more happy years of this food-love journey.
    The post itself has a festive feel about it. I love those cups with the bean chilli and the cornmeal bread. would love to try them both.

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    Replies
    1. festive feel. yes, I was going for that emotion and thanks for noticing it Lataji. :D

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  3. Congratulations Siri for the anniversary!!!...I love Jalapneo Corn muffins....Sweet & Savory...

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    1. Thanks Shruthi. the combination of corn bread with chilli is classic. Do give it a try. :D

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  4. Hey... Hearty congratulations..... Ur blog is amazing.... It's probably what encouraged me to learn cooking better... The first dish I ever tried was ur Hara Bhara paneer pulao... It's really wonderful tryin all ur recipes especially when I am staying here in the US... Thanks for being my cooking role model....

    Happy blog birthday to you....

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    Replies
    1. That is so sweet of you to say. You made my day with your comment Sahitya. Thanks again. :-)

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  5. Five years is a great milestone Siri :) The cornbread looks amazing and the pictures are too good! Love those mended mugs. Following you on FB, twitter and Google Reader.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks babes. those hand-made mended mugs are such cute props I say. Hence thought of giving a set to a lucky person. I wish you were here in India to win them :-)

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  6. Congrats Siri! It's been wonderful going on this food blogging journey with you, meeting you in MV, having that long chat in Sakshi's car as we dropped you.. and many more :) Your pics are amazing these days, you seem happy to be back home in India and that fund drive you did really made me move my behind and do something to give back.

    Kudos and here's to many more years!

    PS: I am totally angliing for the giveaways. I like you already, follow you already, subscribed already on Reader, and I just tweeted too. I am in it to win it ;)

    HUGS!

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    Replies
    1. the MV meet was memorable for me as well Nags for so many reasons. I am glad we all could make it that day!. I simply wish for more such moments.

      I never felt this happy and contented before. I didn't know just being around with family can make so much difference. :-) I like the way you said - "I am in it to win it". So cute. I really wish you do!. Thanks for being YOU babes. Hugs right back.

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  7. congratulations Siri and yes I am already like/follow u every where :)

    tweeting the anniversary post now :)

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    1. Thanks Monika. Next time I am in Bangalore we should definitely meet up, as per our original plan. Can't wait. :-)

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  8. Congrats, Siri. Like I said, you do have a lovely space here and here's wishing you a lot more fun in years to come.

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  9. Congratsssss Siri.. You have been doing a fantastic job for the past 5 years :) Your blog is one of my most favorite blogs :) Keep the great work going :)

    Delicious corn muffins. I can for sure make it for my corn crazy husband :)

    All done to enter the give away :)

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    Replies
    1. You have always been so sweet with your regular comments Nithya. Thank you so much for such support. It means a lot to me. Hugs. :-)

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  10. Congratulations.. Wishing you many more :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Chandu. We should plan to meet again. Our previous meeting was so brief. What say? :D

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  11. Congratulations, Siri! It never hit me till you said it, five years is half a decade. I'll be six next month.

    Don't enter me for the drawing, please. Just came here to wish you.

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    Replies
    1. W.O.W, Did you say 6 years? Now you have a bigger celebration than me. :D. Congratulations Sra. You are one of the few blogs whose wittiness and humor shines through all your posts. It was so nice to know you over these years.

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  12. Congratulations on the big achievement!!... First time to your blog.. seems like a one stop place to all kinds of recipes! :)

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    Replies
    1. I am happy you feel that way Devi. Do check out the recipe index for many ideas. Thanks.

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  13. And I'm from USA and I'm following you on twitter under @medleyblog

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  14. A big congrats to you Siri on this fine achivement,wishing you many more blog-iversaries:))

    I 'like' cooking with Siri already:)

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  15. CongratsSiri!! Great going with ur space and urs is one of my most favorite blogs :) Keep it going and here is wishing many more such achieving yrs of blogging!!

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    Replies
    1. You are so sweet Sharmi. Your tutti frutti cake is still a hit in my family & friends. Thanks for posting such keeper recipes!.

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  16. 5 years! very impressive! I'm one of your faithful followers! ;) :D Congratulations! :)
    I'm from India! :D

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  17. And I like you on Facebook already!

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  18. Good Morning from UK,Siri..I have been following your FB page and found you recently personally :) Congratulations to you for the 5 years of blogging and many more to come:) It's just not the posts that I love, your photographs are amazing..keep up the good work! Subscribed to your blog. I am sorry I am not on tweeter(not very technical you see:( )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just the fact that you read my blog means so much Preeti. Thanks for your continuous support and love! :D

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  19. Hi Siri, It must be an awesome feeling to have reached 5! And what a space you rock! Hearty wishes for this achievement and for more milestones!

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    1. It is indeed an awesome feeling Rajani. a feeling of accomplishment I must say as am known in my household to start something with much gusto and stop abruptly. My blog broke that jinx. yay! :-)

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  20. Also been five years since I have not met you in person!!!! but thanks to this blog I always feel connected to you. Congrats Siri, for having found your passion and doing such a splendid job with it. Lots of Love, Shivani

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    Replies
    1. Your comment brought tears in my eyes babes. What an awesome time we had together (in almost everything we did during our college days). I wish I could fly to Swiss right now to meet you. Hopefully we plan a trip soon. Hugs. :D

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    2. Yes, me too.. can't wait to meet you .. Miss you :(
      apna hyderabad ka phone number bhej na... will call atleast.

      Delete
  21. Hi Siri, Congrats for your great milestone, Best wishes for many more to come! I used to think all this food blogging is piece of cake but when I started to one for myself recently I realized the effort needed to keep it going! 5 years is great milestone to celebrate!

    Very nice Clicks! It is different dish and looks so yummy!

    Great-secret-of-life.blogspot.com

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  22. Hi Siri,
    Heartiest Congratulations on the half decade completion of your sumptuous blog.:)
    I totally love your blog,the simplicity with which it's presented and your passion for cooking.I pray that I become a cook like you someday and maybe you start following me too:P

    I am following you everywhere and have tweeted about the giveaways. So this qualifie me too to be an aspiring participant.(fingers crossed)

    With love and prayers that you reach the greatest heights in the world of cooking.

    Shinygiju(Bangalore,India)

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  23. Congrats siri for this milestone..I wish you many more blog anniversaries...I love this combination of corn bread-chili..needless to say those mugs looks delicious..i m already following u on FB..

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  24. Congratulations Siri ,
    Although I don't comment regularly on your blogposts ..but have seen it evolved from last 5 years from it's initial baby steps..and it never occurred to me that "5" is but half a decade ..WOW! ..Keep going and rocking :-)as you always do..love your pics and the B&W pics even more..a request on my part don't put me for giveaway,just here to congratulate you ..hugs

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  25. Congratulations Siri...5 years is a big milestone ! I love those blue little mugs, too cute...Want to try those muffins, should be really yum with jalapenos.
    Also, want to congratulate your for the wonderful initiatives you have taken to help girls at Vaidehi ashram.

    I 'like' you on fb :) and subscribe to your posts.
    Am from Ahmedabad, India

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  26. Congratulations Siri! How time flies. Been following your blog for a while now and feel so inspired. I love the crockery you've used, so beautiful (Rekha Goyal I understand, it's just awesome.

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  27. Wow! 5 years in blogging World..something great:-) Congrats on your milestone Dear. Hope to see many more delicious recipes in the coming years. Cornmeal with jalapeno is a delicious combo. Must taste great. Thanks for sharing a wonderful recipe.
    I live in India. Have subscribed to your blog and already liked your FB page. Now following you on Twitter too!

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  28. Hey Siri, Congrats and wish your blog many more b'days. I am also from the 2007 batch:)
    lovely corn bread, can I make them with out the eggs?
    I am already a fan of yours in FB:)
    Sharmi (Bangalore)

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  29. Am making this, or a variant of this now for snacks... :) Will link back :)
    Congratulations on this milestone! :)

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  30. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  31. Hi Siri, I already liked your facebook, twitter and subscribe and all... Hope I eligible for this giveaway... am from india...
    VIRUNTHU UNNA VAANGA

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  32. Congratulations!! Wishing you many more wonderful years of blogging!!

    - Nandini from USA

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  33. Those looks Ohh so yum, fabulous clicks too Siri. Lovely read tat was, felt as if you were there while I was reading. Congrats on the 5th Anniversary and Wishing you many more years of blogging, Best Wishes!!!!

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  34. Heartiest Congratulations gal; 5 years of etching your heart and hearth adventures is no mean feat. Wishes for many more milestones in all your endeavors. A tasty way to celebrate and the giveaway is smashing. Loved the mended pot-how cool is that ?

    I already like your FB page and am following your tweets too. Your posts warm my inbox for quite some time.

    BTW,I live in India .

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  35. Hey tweeted about this giveaway too- cheers !

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  36. I'm a follower in the United States! Congrats!

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  37. I also liked your Facebook page. Sarah from the United States.

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  38. Congrats for completing 5 years. I love the idea of savory cornbread muffins. I have already subscribed to your feed via gmail. I have liked you on facebook and twitter. I have also added a tweet on my tweeter( terter10). I am from Shimla, India.

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  39. The Cornbread Muffins look good. I'm from USA.

    melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

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  40. Congrats Siri..I always love to visit your blog..and i am also inspired from you so much..Apart from your cooking i liked your social service activity very much.. Hats-off to you..:)

    Anu From India..
    Subscribed,liked and following your blog since so many days..

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  41. Congrats Siri.This 5 year old journey is indeed a very tasty one, rite :).Lovely recipe and cute mugs.
    I would love to be a part of your give away. I am from India, I follow you and am a fan of your page. I am also subscribing to your posts via feeds//

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  42. Happy anniversary! Love your blog :)
    I'm from USA.
    Regards
    Andrea

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  43. Five-year milestone... wow! Cheers to five more years from the USA.

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  44. Already following on Twitter.

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  45. This cornbread looks delicious, I HAVE to try it!
    (From Canada)

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  46. Congrats on your five-year blogiversary! The muffins and chili both look really tasty :). From a reader in the United States!

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  47. Congrats on 5 years! Your reader from the old US of A. :]

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  48. Congrats! your recipes are inspiration not only to try new things, but to get up and DO the cooking!

    -Nick from the USA

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  49. Congratulations on 5 years Siri. It's been lovely to know you offline too... can never forget the array of food at your wedding! the first blogger wedding i attended! thanks for trying out my recipe and am so glad you liked it enough to make it! i think i qualify for the giveaway because i'm already doing all that has been asked! love the stoneware cups.... goodluck and love always!

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  50. Siri Tried to come here earlier (after wishing you on Fb) but for some net connectivity could post my comment. Heartiest Congratulations for completing 5 years. And hugs for winning those Ramekins :-)
    I am all set to woo Aunty for the second round of giveaway ;-) Hey Siri, Can you visit my blog today? Have something for you...
    Deepa
    Bangalore

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  51. Congratulations!!!! Its really a great achievement. Fond Regards, Amarendra

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  52. Congrats on the anniversary Siri and following u on fb.(USA)

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  53. Congrats! I'm totally going to make these cornbread muffins (without cilantro)! (USA)

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  54. Congrats!
    The recipe looks great! And I know a think or two about cornbread (EEUU).

    Thanks, SaraBeara

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  55. Congratulations on your blog-o-anniversary (USA). It's not often you see the name Siri - I just lost my sister-in-law to cancer this week and her name was Siri. What a coincidence in finding your blog!

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  56. https://twitter.com/cmouse01/status/240639817489190914 (USA)

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  57. Oh god, that's a big hi five... Bonne Anniversary..! I wonder how the subscription email went to spam folder. Luckily I checked on FB and came to know.. And yes, those gifts are lovely and enthralling..! Its great to follow a food blog and have quick check anytime you have doubts..!

    Wishing you all the best in your cooking , blogging and experimenting ventures.
    Cheers
    Amtrips
    (Amrita)

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  58. Viola, congratulations for a hi five -bonne anniversary...! Its worth following a food blog and checking at times when you have doubts.. And yes, the gifts are too attractive.. :)

    Wishing you all the best for future ventures in blogging, cooking and experimenting..

    Cheers
    Amtrips
    (Amrita)

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  59. Congrats Siri on ur anniversary blog post. Keep following u invisbly :) Your Double ka meeta recipe is a huge hit which i adopted from ur blog post. Wishing the blog many more food years to come...(Bangalore) we met at Madhuri's baking class :)

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  60. Time flew so fast Siri...nice to know about u through u r blog....Happy to meet u in person...wish u stayed here in Bang to hang out with u much often.....Congrats on blog anniversary.....it's the perfect time to celebrate and look back to see what we have gained.....love the recipes....muffins are just awesome......keep rocking buddy....

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  61. Congrats on ur blog anniversary and lovely recipes They r all eye feast n then will be a feast to the tummy n tongue when tried..muffins n mugs look whoo viola i want them both right now.im getting into the kitchen..-----sushma,dallas

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  62. Hi Siri!! Congratulations !! and I follow you on twitter, FB n also subscribed to your feed!! n I am tweeting the giveaway now :-)

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  63. I commented already but forgot to mention my Country! I am in India and I liked you FB page, I follow you on twitter and I also subscribed to your feed!

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  64. Happy Bloganniversary and congratulations on the 5 years!

    Wonderful fod. Both the chilli and muffins look amazing!

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  65. I already follow you on FB and Twitter.

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  66. This is indeed a milestone Siri! 5 years of running this wonderful blog... congratulations! I hope this blog has given you some amazing experiences and enriched your life in more ways than one :)

    Swati,
    Mumbai, India

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  67. I already follow you on Twitter, and have liked your FB page!

    Swati
    Mumbai, India

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  68. Hey! I tweeted about your giveaway too! Hope you get a lot of new followers on your 5th blogoversary :)

    Swati
    Mumbai, India

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  69. PS - In all the blogoversray wishes, forgot to tell you how intrigued I am by your amazing cornbread muffins! Have never tried this combination of jalapenos, mint and corn bread... I always though corn bread was too dry...
    But this flavor combo sounds delicious!

    Swati
    Mumbai, India

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  70. Happy blog anniversary :) Congrats on hitting 5...
    Twinsy, India

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  71. Happy 5 years it must have been gr8 funfor you..i love ur photography and miss ur pics on fb.....Flipkart..i wld so love it :D

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  72. Congrats on 5th blog anniversary Siri.. I just did all the above mentioned to be eligible for the giveaway..

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  73. Hi Siri, Congratulations on the blog anniversary!
    Cheers,
    Navya USA

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  74. Hi,

    Congratulations on entering 5th year. I am already subscribed to your RSS feeds.

    Samatha Shravan, Hyderabad, India

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  75. Congratulations, Siri, on your 5th anniversary. (Mine came and went without event.)

    Thank you for your delicious and nutritious MLLA 50 contribution. I've always been a fan of vegetarian chili with the traditional accompaniment of cornbread. Your recipes are a great contribution to the combo.

    The round-up will be online soon. Apologies for the delay.

    ReplyDelete

'Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action the fruit behind it' ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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