The first ‘7 links’ I read was Lyndsey’s of The Tiny Skillet a few weeks ago and I loved it. It made so much sense to trawl through the blog archives and select 7 posts for 7 different reasons. And so when Steve, the ‘Oui Chef’ tagged me I was thrilled – finally it gave me a chance to share ‘my post’ which didn’t get the attention it deserved…but you’ll have to wait for it.
According to Tripbase who’ve kicked this off,
The goal is
To unite bloggers (from all sectors) in a joint endeavor to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that deserve to see the light of day again.
The rules
1) Blogger is nominated to take part
2) Blogger publishes his/her 7 links on his/her blog – 1 link for each category.
Here it goes…..
My most beautiful post
I love the way the chilies in my Thai Sriracha sauce are colourful and contort themselves to make a wonderful still life. Not to mention the complex sweet and hot flavours in the resulting sauce!
My most popular post
By Google analytics (almost 10% of searches/visits to my blog) and by comment count (with 68 comments) its is my poffertjes post!
My most helpful post
As a former Nigerian in diaspora, most of my Nigerian posts have garnered a lot of comments and emails of thanks from Nigerians at home and abroad.
I would say my Nigerian pepper soup post
and Chapman drink (which also rank 2nd and 3rd in popularity) fit the bill.
I particularly like that in the posts I do a lot of research and learn an immense amount about the various ingredients, substitutes, flavours and a whole world of new uses!
My most controversial post
For most of my life I’ve been a pacifist, call it ‘middle child syndrome’. I used to hate controversy, so I shut up a lot….and often kept my thoughts to myself, rarely airing my true feelings for fear of alienation and retribution. A few years ago, I realised that was RUBBISH – utter nonsense and though I’m not permanently on the war path, I’m no longer afraid to stand up and say ‘NO’. Thank you Lord.
My chocolate waffles post, made with no sugar and wholegrain wheat had a reader comment as follows:
LWJ said
‘Not win. They smell pretty good but the taste is bitter and the texture is coarse.
Yes, they’ve got no sugar in them, but to stifle the taste you have to add a sugary topping, so there’s not a huge point to that.’
My response
‘LWJ, they do smell pretty good but bitter, I would argue. I guess that’s why I say they remind me of brownies!!!!! As for the texture, it is soft and open, I wouldn’t say coarse! The reason I don’t put any sugar in is that I end up putting sugar on them any which way and I invariably use less…… but that’s just me. Thanks!
Some might say this is hardly controversial….but it was the only one I could remember off the top of my head!
And it made me realise that comments are not always criticisms and that everyone has their point of view. I say that I refuse to be judged for who I am, the choices I’ve made and the decisions I’ve taken. In return, I will do my best not to judge.
A post whose success surprised you
A summary of my holiday to Barbados! I guess photos of the azure waters and sunshine are enough to warm hearts.
A post you feel didn’t get the attention it deserved
After what felt like a hundred thousand photos and as many videos on learning to make sushi at a fantastic Japanese restaurant, and documenting it all step by step, the post garnered nary a nod. It is still one of my favourites though!
The post that you are most proud of
For the length of time it took to achieve perfection, for the depth of learning, the stunning components, it has to be hands down ‘The Noodle Diaries’ aka Momofuku’s Ramen!
Thank you Steve for giving me good reason to walk down memory lane.
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[wpurp-searchable-recipe]7 Links: The Most Beautiful, Helpful and ‘Downright’ Controversial! – – – [/wpurp-searchable-recipe]
I love your post! The other day I was wondering, “does anyone ever leave negative comments on blogs?” I think your response was well crafted. (with regard to your chocolate waffles) And I’m making those chocolate waffles as soon as I can! And I agree with what you said about the sugar for sure. Take care-Shauna
I remember some too….I loved the chile pictures
Shaz – thank you
Sally dear – thank you too
Love your links Oz, and I remember your ramen post, I was so i n awe of the effort you took to make it. You do indeed put a whole lot of effort to research and write your posts, always making them a joy to read.
Great concept and a good excuse to walk down memory lane – some posts I remember well (especially that Momofuku one where my jaw had pretty much dropped to the level of my desk when I read it) and some were before I found your amazing site so lovely to be connected.
I met a wanna-be baker the other day who is planning to return to Nigeria to set up a cake shop so pointed her in the direction of Kitchen Butterfly.
Thanks for your most recent comment over at my place – you are perceptive and it struck a chord. Really appreciated.
Lyndsey dear, no need to feel bad….at ALL! I do feel a touch guilty when I tag people as I hate to play favourites! Your post really inspired me so thank you. And thanks for your kind comments!
Thanks Joan dearie – we’re hanging in there, selecting curtains and trying to sort out our new house!
Steve, thanks – I loved the journey!
Thank you Rhonda, you’re always there to encourage and support. Thank you and I hope you enjoy your 7 links adventure!
Mademoiselle D, well said. I get so much out of blogging that I would still attempt to write even if I didn’t get any comments! Thank you…
Ann P, You are a ‘star’, thank you sweetie
Once again my heart sings when I read your posts! I loved going down memory lane with you. I love looking at your photos, knowing that you have taken those pictures after hours of time working on a special recipe. I feel your energy and focus in those pictures! Thanks for sharing my friend! xx
There’s always something enjoyable about each post we write and sometimes it’s more important to focus on what we get out of them rather than the other way around.
That being said, I really did enjoy your Momofuku ramen “diary” but also posts about your trip to America and campfire s’mores.
Nice work, and I am understanding how much work! Personally I’ve loved every single one of your posts and they are all equally fabulous by Rhonda’s analytics. That Ramen really is enticing!
You’re welcome Ozoz. Loved taking the trip with you. Really wish I had a bowl of that ramen right NOW!
I remember some of these.
Hope you’re doing well.
Aww…I feel bad…I didn’t really tag anyone, but left it open for anyone to join us! Sorry I didn’t know, there were many out there, I wasn’t sure who was not tagged yet I didn’t want to be a pest! Thank you for the mention and the lovely comment that you left.
I do love this idea of bringing back some of our older or neglected posts too. So many time when we first start reading we don’t always get the time to search back through it. I like to check out everyone overlooked post first. I do know that so many of your posts are helpful and beautiful it must of been hard for you to choose. The last one Momofuku’s Ramen is gorgeous, and I want to take that bite that is offered! It could be a cover of a cookbook! I just love reading these 7 link post!