I started the year proclaiming that I was going to have 48 posts this year, about 1 each week. I am happy to report that this is post #55! That's right, the double nickel! I made it. Now I realize that some bloggers can do over 50 in one month, but I am ok with my 55 and consider it a successful year!
The blog now has over 4000 page views and I am pretty sure at least half of those AREN'T MY OWN!! Success!!
We also have 6 followers and only 5 of those are people I know in real life! So a special thanks to that cyber denizen of Monkey Nation! Ironic enough, none of the followers are family members...yet! I attribute that more to technology hurdles than anything else.
The year ended on a great note as the 'anonymous sous chef' scoured the year of posts on anymonkeycan.com & used her mad shutterfly skills to present me with this cool gift:
How cool is that? A 2011 'anymonkeycan' cookbook!
I decided that I should include a little self pub to those on my Christmas Card...I mean make that Christmas Postcard list!
This was the first year that I not only designed my own Christmas Card, I went with a postcard. And let me tell you, I loved sending out Postcards. It was fantastic! There was no stuffing or licking envelopes! Just self adhesive stamps & address labels! Folks I hope you liked them because the minimum order was twice the number of people on my list so...you'll probably be seeing that card next Christmas!
So let's highlight a few things I really liked this year!
Right off the bat in January our local paper had a contest to win tickets to the Taste of NFL since our region was hosting the Super Bowl this year. Why not jump in with both feet? 'anymonkeycan' shoot a video, so I did...on my smart phone. I didn't even have a tripod! I was just leaning the phone against things. Surprisingly enough, victory was not mine, but this youtube clip was:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4-FYeFljoE&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
As was this delicious recipe, ahh roasted Cauliflower:
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/01/roasted-cauliflower-with-arugula.html
Speaking of roasting vegetables, Roasted Brussels Sprouts were discovered in February. Still haven't tried them, huh? Get over yourself & do yourself a favor! Maybe make a 2012 Resolution: "I resolve in 2012 to make, try & give Roasted Brussels Sprouts a chance!"
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/02/roasted-brussel-sprouts-1-banana-recipe.html
The "Grown up Grilled Cheese" post was made in April. Not only did it bring back good childhood memories of my mom making me Toasted Cheese Sandwiches (yeah, that's what we called them in the Midwest), I also thought the "cheese bridge" in this photo was great!
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/04/gourmet-grown-up-grilled-cheese-1-2.html
In May, I made one of my most favorite things I made all year. "Moros y Cristianos" or Cuban Black Beans & Rice. I don't know much about Cuban cooking, but they got this down!
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/05/cuban-black-beans-rice-3-banana.html
Also, in May I had to find a creative use for Blackberries! I had a few Blackberry bushes that were going crazy & this "Blackberry Icebox Pie" needed 3 lbs of them! Man, that was good stuff!
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/05/blackberry-icebox-pie-3-4-banana.html
Of course any cooking blog that has 'monkey' in the title has to have a Banana Pudding recipe. I happen to LOVE banana pudding so it really wasn't a burden. Here's ours:
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/06/mostly-made-from-scratch-banana-pudding.html
May also produced a kitchen injury thanks to the "Cuban Beans & Rice"
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| Man did that hurt! Hot lid when it comes straight out of the oven! |
"Dragon Deviled Eggs" were made in July for a "Game of Thrones" book club treat that the 'anonymous sous chef' was hosting. Make some up & enjoy them while watching the HBO mini series "Game of Thrones!"
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/07/deviled-eggs-1-2-banana-difficulty.html
I made one of my most favorite recipe's in August. "Corn Summer Salsa" is just great as a dip or mixed in with salads!
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/08/corn-summer-salsa-1-2-banana-difficulty.html
September was a slow month with just 2 posts. However one of those post involved Figs that we purchased from the owner of a local restaurant. She gets them from her Fig Trees at her house! I have a fig tree at my house I think I have gotten a total of 10 figs over the past 2 years...maybe next year!
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/09/spinach-salad-with-figs-1-banana.html
October was not only important for the following 2 great recipes, but also the Sock Monkey Mascot makes his first appearance!
Greek Griddle Cakes are just way too good!
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/10/greek-griddle-cakes-2-3-banana.html
And you cannot go wrong with Mushroom Marsala Risotto!
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/10/mushroom-marsala-risotto-3-4-banana.html
November was our most prolific month with a whopping 7 posts! Thanksgiving cooking will do that for you!
Braised Turkey will probably be my go to recipe for the Thanksgiving Bird from now on. There's 3 reasons for this.
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/11/braised-turkey-3-banana-level.html
1. It is delicious!
2. The 'anonymous sous chef' gave me an awesome Roasting Pan for Christmas
3. http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/11/turkey-lentil-rice-soup-2-banana.html
After you have Braised the Turkey, what's left in the Roasting Pan is an amazing start to "Thanksgiving Leftover Soup!"
And I cannot leave November without mentioning "Mrs. P's Pecan Pumkin Pie" aka Cafe Pecan Pie. I have been making this Pie for Thanksgiving probably for the past 10 years. It's probably one of the first recipes that really got me interested in cooking! Thank you Mrs. P!
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/11/mrs-ps-pecan-pumpkin-pie-3-banana.html
Or a little love to Rudy for his Thanksgiving Stuffing! Stovetop ain't got nothin' on him!
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/11/rudys-stuffing-3-banana-difficulty.html
And that brings us to December where I discovered I actually like crispy cookies with the Lemonsnap cookies. They go great with hot tea!
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/12/lemonsnap-cookies-3-banana-level.html
And the commandeering of my Kitchen by the 'anonymous sous chef' as she made her soon to be award winning Biscotti!
http://www.anymonkeycan.com/2011/12/almond-cherry-cranberry-biscotti-3-4.html
And that, Monkey Nation is 2011 in review. I guess think of this as the Cliff Notes to 2011 for 'anymonkeycan' cook!
I didn't set out for this to be mostly a meatless blog. That's just what I cooked this year. Other than the Turkey (Lobster & Salmon if you are inclined) that's what was happening in my kitchen. We eat too much meat anyway!
In general, I'm a healthy eater. There's definitely some healthy dishes on here, but the deliciousness was not compromised for the healthiness! And luckily the last 2 months brought out the desserts & sweets! Speaking of that, we are doing the 'January NO Sweets/Desserts Challenge' starting tomorrow. Who's with me?! Anyone...
As for 2012 I haven't quite decide the posting schedule. I only did 2 videos in 2011, perhaps a monthly video would be a worthy challenge. Only time will tell...
Thanks for a great year AND...
Until next time,
Your friendly Neighborweb Monkey!
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