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Closet Cooking

Cooking adventures in a small, closet sized, kitchen. - I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.

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Closet Cooking’s Birthday: 2011

[heart_this] · Apr 30, 2011 · 49 Comments

Closet Cooking is now 4 years old!

I know that I say it every year but; I cannot believe that another year has already gone by! Time has just been flying by and I have been so busy lately that I almost missed it but luckily I noticed it on the calendar just in time.

This last year certainly has been filled with a lot of tasty new food! I have continued to enjoy exploring new foods, cuisines and cooking techniques while not forgetting about old favourites. Where ever do I get the time for all of these recipes?

Over this last year I have had the chance to meet a lot of great new friends both online and in the real world. I had a blast attending and meeting so many amazing people at the International Food Bloggers Conference this year and I am looking forward to attending more of such events in the future.

Closet Cooking has also seen some changes over the last year including moving from blogspot to it’s own domain closetcooking.com which was wonderful to finally realize! I also managed to add some social media ‘follow’ buttons to the site and some social media ‘share’ buttons to the posts. I was even able to finally figure a way to add a recipe index which I had been wanting to do for a long time. More recently I have been working on improving my recipe format including adding cooking times and using the hrecipe format.

Year four also saw Closet Cooking move into the modern age by getting on both Twitter and Facebook! It was a long time in coming and although I am still figuring out how to use them, I am glad to be on them as it has bee a lot of fun.

One thing that I like about a blog birthday is that I am reminded to take the time to go back and look over the past year to remember where I am coming from and what I have done. I went through all of my post from year three and I will leave you with some of my favourites:

Asparagus and Baby Artichoke Quinoa Salad

Closet Cooking’s year starts off in spring which is perfectly in time to enjoy the fresh bounty and this Asparagus and Baby Artichoke Quinoa Salad is an amazing way to do it.

Asparagus Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Asparagus is one of my favourite foods and you just know that I am head over heals for it in the form of this Asparagus Grilled Cheese Sandwich!

Yogurt Panna Cotta with Strawberry Jelly

This year saw me experiment a bit with my food photography and this Yogurt Panna Cotta with Strawberry Jelly is definitely one that I remember fondly. In it, I played with shallow depth of focus, light and composition.

Vietnamese Caramel Shrimp Banh Mi

This was the year that I discovered the banh mi and my first experience with a banh mi was with Vietnamese Caramel Shrimp Banh Mi which is an amazing blend of flavours and textures that just daces in your mouth!

Blueberry Maple Pecan Cinnamon Buns

Blueberry season is still pretty far away but I can still dream about these Blueberry Maple Pecan Cinnamon Buns impatiently while I wait.

Gorgonzola Cheesecake

I had never even thought about a savoury cheesecake before this Gorgonzola Cheesecake but now I am undeniably hooked. It’s amazing how baking cheese brings out its flavour and those crispy bits along the outside are the best parts!

Greek 7 Layer Dip

Lets not forget about snacking! This Greek 7 Layer Dip, a Greek take on the classic 7 Layer Dip not only tastes great but it is pretty healthy to boot!

Jiaozi (Chinese Dumplings)

Next up were these Jiaozi (Chinese Dumplings) which in addition to being addictively good, are surprisingly easy to make at home once you get the hang of it and I even made my own wrappers!

Guinness Chocolate Cheesecake

More recently I tried a new chocolate cheesecake with Guinness in it and this Guinness Chocolate Cheesecake was was definitely the best cheesecake that I have had in a long while!

Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich

As you all know, I am a huge fan of grilled cheese sandwiches and this Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Sandwich has to be my crowning achievement with respect to grilled cheese sandwiches so far! The the heat of the tender roasted jalapenos is tempered by the gooey melted cream cheese and the stringy jack and cheddar and the crumbled tortilla chips add a bit of crunch.

Similar Posts:
Closet Cooking’s Birthday 2012 and 1500 Recipes!
Closet Cooking’s Birthday: 2010
Closet Cooking’s Birthday: 2009
Closet Cooking’s Birthday: 2008

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Esi says

    April 30, 2011 at 12:51 am

    Happy birthday! Yours was certainly one of the first blogs that inspired me to start my own.

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    April 30, 2011 at 12:56 am

    congrats on your blog's anniversary!! the guiness cheesecake is next on my to-do list! keep making delicious recipes i can show off to my family!!! ♥

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth says

    April 30, 2011 at 12:58 am

    Congratulations on four prolific years! I am constantly amazed at your creativity…keep up the great work!

    Reply
  4. rosaria says

    April 30, 2011 at 1:00 am

    Happy Birthday Closet Cooking! You've fed us royally!

    Reply
  5. --JamJam says

    April 30, 2011 at 1:04 am

    Yum yum yum! I absolutely LOVE your blog and your photos are beautiful and look mouthwateringly delicious. Congrats on continuing to evolve and for experimenting so much in the kitchen and sharing it with the rest of us!

    Reply
  6. Kalyn says

    April 30, 2011 at 1:40 am

    Congratulations on four years. Your food always looks good to me!

    Reply
  7. Renata says

    April 30, 2011 at 2:27 am

    Happy Blog Anniversary! Every year it gets better and better! Thanks for sharing all these delicious creations with such beautiful photos and easy to follow instructions.

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    April 30, 2011 at 2:56 am

    Happy 4 year blogiversary, Kevin! I recently found you on Twitter and love this site. Can't wait for my 1st blogiversary 😀

    Reply
  9. Anonymous says

    April 30, 2011 at 7:06 am

    Congrats! Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  10. Jeanne says

    April 30, 2011 at 7:07 am

    Happy Birthday with your bloggie…
    Hope there come much more with tasty recepies.
    Because they are yummie…
    Greetings
    Jeanne

    Reply
  11. Mika says

    April 30, 2011 at 7:31 am

    Happy blogbirthday!!!!Kevin, your blog is such a joy for me, full of great ideas and recipes…I love the job you are doing here, don't stop… ^_^

    Reply
  12. Anonymous says

    April 30, 2011 at 7:51 am

    Happy 4th birthday! Great year so far 🙂

    Reply
  13. Anonymous says

    April 30, 2011 at 8:04 am

    Congratulations on your birthday! I've been reading for over a year now so keep up the good work! X

    Reply
  14. Anonymous says

    April 30, 2011 at 8:07 am

    Congratulations on your 4th blog-aversary! I've been reading for two years now and find your blog extremely inspiring so keep up the good work! X

    Reply
  15. Moon Breeze says

    April 30, 2011 at 8:41 am

    happy b'day Closet Cooking – and Kevin u too 🙂 for making it so yummy 🙂

    Reply
  16. Rosa's Yummy Yums says

    April 30, 2011 at 8:41 am

    Happy blogiversary and to many more! All your creations are marvelous and I love visiting your blog.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  17. veredgy says

    April 30, 2011 at 9:37 am

    I am usually a silent reader of your wonderful posts.
    I am from overseas and am very glad to congratulate you for the 4Th Blogbirthday.
    You are an amazing and very inventive cook and it gives me a great pleasure to read your posts and try some of your recipes.
    Keep going on and be happy and successful.

    Reply
  18. Beth says

    April 30, 2011 at 10:01 am

    What a great roundup of recipes! The savoury cheesecake and the quinoa salad look especially terrific!

    Reply
  19. Joanne says

    April 30, 2011 at 10:16 am

    Coming here is always a highlight of my day, Kevin, so thanks for doing what you do and for always making such delicious food! Happy 4 years!

    Reply
  20. Leslie says

    April 30, 2011 at 11:35 am

    Happy happy birthday Kevin! You dont look a day over 3! 🙂

    Reply
  21. lo says

    April 30, 2011 at 11:56 am

    Happy Blog Anniversary! Your blog is one of my favorite. I made a lot of things from your blog.

    Reply
  22. Stol Jockey says

    April 30, 2011 at 12:13 pm

    Happy Birthday !!!!

    Reply
  23. Taylor says

    April 30, 2011 at 1:12 pm

    Happy Blog-versary Kevin! Closet Cooking is one of my favorites and I can't wait to see what the next year brings 🙂

    Reply
  24. Nic says

    April 30, 2011 at 1:52 pm

    Happy blog birthday! Keep up the good work and delicious recipes. xx

    Reply
  25. Sonia @ Food Obsessed says

    April 30, 2011 at 2:04 pm

    Happy Blog Birthday Kevin! One thing for sure, your photography skills have dramatically evolved over the years.

    I just love, love, love your photos and always look forward to your new posts.

    Yours is one of the first blogs that I started to follow and to this day, remains a constant source of inspiration for me, one of my favorite destinations for beautiful photos as well as mouthwatering recipes.

    Please, keep up the good work!!!!

    Reply
  26. anniebakes says

    April 30, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    Happy Birthday, my friend! here's to another year filled with food and good friends! anne

    http://www.anniebakes.net

    Reply
  27. nancy says

    April 30, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    Happy Birthday! I too am amazed by your creativity.Your blog is one of my top five faves.

    Reply
  28. Claudia says

    April 30, 2011 at 2:46 pm

    Happy 4 years old! One thing I love about following a blog – is the evolution. You continue to tantalize and stretch boundaries. It's grand to look back and so satisfying to look ahead.

    Reply
  29. Jess @ Sugar High says

    April 30, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    Happy birthday to Closet Cooking!
    Kevin, I admire your blog above all others I read (there's a LOT!). You were the first to inspire me to start a food blog, as well as inspire me to try new and exciting foods. Whenever I'm in need of inspiration for a new recipe, I always come to you first! You've come so far, and you have done an amazing job. I very much look forward to the delicious and creative recipes you'll bring in the next year. 🙂

    Reply
  30. vanillasugar says

    April 30, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Happy Blogiversary Kevin!
    your blog and a few others are the ones that inspire me to create.
    please keep up the fabulous work.
    you are the best of the best and should have a cookbook deal by now.

    Reply
  31. Kirsten Lindquist says

    April 30, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    happy birthday! Still going strong!

    Reply
  32. Caroline says

    April 30, 2011 at 4:31 pm

    Happy Birthday, Closet Cooking! I just love your blog…I totally by-pass Epicurious now and go straight to you!

    Reply
  33. Pam says

    April 30, 2011 at 6:08 pm

    Congrats on 4 years.

    I love your site. Your recipe for Maple Pumpkin Pie cheesecake has become a staple in my dessert repertoire.

    Keep up the good work!

    Reply
  34. lera says

    April 30, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    Happy blog birthday. I don't comment often … maybe once in the past, but I do read your posts. I made your jalapeno popper dip for New Year's Eve and it was a huge hit! Thanks for all you do!

    Reply
  35. Stark Radio says

    April 30, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    I just stumbled upon your website yesterday, and I wanted to say I just love it. Your recipes look fantastic, you take great photos, and I enjoy very much your writing style! Keep up the great work, and I look forward to trying more of your recipes. The spinach and artichoke dip turned out great and I ate half of it for dinner. MmmmmmMmm.

    Reply
  36. John says

    April 30, 2011 at 10:03 pm

    Congratulations! This blog inspires me to cook more often.

    Reply
  37. Katrina says

    May 1, 2011 at 4:10 am

    Happy 4 years! Your blog is one of the first I started reading over 3 years ago. Love it.

    Reply
  38. Victor says

    May 1, 2011 at 5:03 am

    Happy 4th blogiversary! I'm glad that I have been following your blog for about 2 years now. Keep up the good work, can't wait for more of your creative and outrageous combinations.

    Reply
  39. Biz says

    May 1, 2011 at 2:25 pm

    Congrats Kevin! How did I miss the jalapeno popper grilled cheese sammie?! Love it!

    Reply
  40. Anonymous says

    May 1, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    Happy 4th! And many moooooore!!!

    Reply
  41. Heather says

    May 1, 2011 at 6:04 pm

    Happy blog anniversary. I love your blog. Love seeing what yummy-sounding food creations you'll come up with next. Keep 'em coming.

    Reply
  42. Anonymous says

    May 1, 2011 at 11:07 pm

    I think that the best compliment that I can give you is to share the fact that my family insists I make your banana cinnamon bread every single week. Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  43. Thallian says

    May 2, 2011 at 1:18 am

    Congrats! Thank you for all the great recipes!

    Reply
  44. Honeydijonay says

    May 2, 2011 at 3:08 am

    I don't know how I stumbled on your blog but I am so glad!
    I have referenced and drooled over your posts for a month now and am in absolute awe. Keep keepin' on!

    Reply
  45. Amanda says

    May 2, 2011 at 3:18 am

    Congratulations! I love, love, love your blog! I came across it a few months ago looking for a more interesting grilled cheese sandwich than my standby cheddar on wheat and have been reading ever since. I've enjoyed many more recipes too. Thanks!

    Reply
  46. Angie says

    May 3, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    Congratulations – always love reading!

    Reply
  47. Avanika [YumsiliciousBakes] says

    May 4, 2011 at 7:31 pm

    Happy Blogoversary, Kevin!! I'm so happy for you and this site 🙂

    Reply
  48. Aisha Jameel says

    May 5, 2011 at 2:45 am

    Happy birthday to closet cooking ! Please keep posting the lovely recipes 🙂
    http://kitchensojourn.blogspot.com

    Reply
  49. Michelle says

    May 12, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    Happy blog birthday! I only just discovered this blog, and am having a blast going through all the posts. Congratulations on 4 years!

    Reply

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About Me

Kevin: I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.
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