Today Manu’s Menu turns 4! I barely can believe it’s already been 4 years since I started blogging. At times it feels like yesterday, but when I look at my first posts, I do notice that I have come a long way. I have learnt a lot of “technical stuff” and I have definitely improved my photography skills (though I know there’s still room for improvement!). Looking back, I can easily say that this was yet another great year for Manu’s Menu!
Among the many accomplishments, I have learnt how to use a Macro lens to take better close up pictures. I finally got a Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro Lens and I LOVE it. It lets me take very detailed pictures of food that looks better up close, like the jam coming out from these Ravioli Dolci di Carnevale.
RAVIOLI DOLCI DI CARNEVALE (click on the picture for the recipe):
I still use my Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
If you are curious to see my photography improvements for yourselves, just check out my Foodgawker, Tastespotting and Tasteologie galleries. Also, my biggest photography accomplishement of 2014 was the fact that the picture of my Alpine Sliders were featured on Food Porn Daily!
ALPINE SLIDERS (click on the picture for the recipe):
These are my favourite pictures of the past year (click on the picture for the recipe):
FATTOUSH WITH SUMAC DRESSING
PANINO CON LA SALAMELLA
AAMRAKHAND
BIBIMBAP
ROASTED BELL PEPPERS
MINESTRONE
CHAI CHEESECAKE WITH PUMPKIN BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE
COOKIES AND CREAM FUDGE
CINNAMON APPLE CHIPS
SWEET DREAMS
I am very grateful for all the amazing people I have “met” during these years. I want you to know that even though I do not always reply to each single comment, I read them ALL and they mean a lot to me! Every comment is special… so keep them coming! I also know I have many “silent” readers and I am very grateful to you too… but don’t be shy, stop by to say “hello”, I’d love to know you! Thank you for all your love and support!
The summary of this 4th year of blogging would not be complete if I did not share some statistical data with you all:
As you can see from the screenshot, since its creation, Manu’s Menu has been visited by more than 1,750,000 different people and it has a pageview count of about 5.5 million! I had never even dreamt that my blog would be read and followed by so many people!
I am also quite happy with the results in the Social Media area… Manu’s Menu has more than 6,800 followers on Facebook, about 2,100 on Twitter and over 2,000 on Pinterest. I am in almost 7,900 circles in Google+. Even though there’s always room for improvement, these achievements go well beyond my expectations! THANK YOU!!
This past year, I have also had the honour of being featured in a variety of online publications and other wesbsites, among which the Examiner (which featured my Arancine with Spinach, Pappardelle with radicchio and speck and Orecchiette with sausage and fennel tops); the Daily Basics; the Huffington Post Canada (that featured my – Chicken Tikka Masala); Storypick (that featured my Shankarpali); Buzzfeed that featured a variety of my recipes, including many Sicilian treats; Merry Weddings (that featured my Aamrakhand); Brit.com (that featured my Salted Caramel Panna Cotta); The Loop (that featured my Creamy Nutella Liqueur and my White Chocolate Liqueur); Fox News Magazine (that featured my Gelo di Melone recipe); FoodNetwork UK that featured my Molten White Chocolate Pudding on their Valentine’s Day edition and, last but not least, The Independent UK (that featured my Malloreddus alla Campidanese).
The accomplishment that I am the most proud though is having reached #12 food blog out of 1,047 Australian food blogs as per Noodlies’ latest list. That’s huge for me!
In 2015, you will still see me making recipes from the Secret Recipe Club, the Daring Kitchen and the Sunday Supper Movement! So stay tuned!
I also thought it would be nice to share Manu’s Menu 10 most visited posts of this 4th year… here they go in descending order! – Click on the picture for the recipe.
- HYDERABADI CHICKEN BIRYANI
- CABBAGE ROLLS
- LAMB KOFTA CURRY
- SHANKARPALI
- HOME-MADE MASCARPONE
- PEPPA PIG CAKE
- SPINACH AND FETA GOZLEME
- CHICKEN STIR FRY WITH CASHEW NUTS
- HOME-MADE BAILEY’S IRISH CREAM
- HOME-MADE SICILIAN PORK SAUSAGE WITH FENNEL
For the complete list of the recipes I have published, go to my Visual Archive.
These instead are my personal favourite recipes of 2014 (click on the image for the recipe):
PEACH MELBA
BOMBOLONI ALLA CREMA
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
SALMON SLIDERS WITH AIOLI
MAFTOUL WITH CHICKEN
MAPLE AND SRIRACHA CHICKEN WINGS
SALTED CARAMEL GELATO
MUSHROOM SOFFICINI
GLACIER FUSION DAIQUIRI
MOMOS IN GINGER BROTH
BROKEN GLASS CUPCAKES
This has been quite an interesting year on Social Media. Facebook has been making it harder and harder for pages to reach their audience. Basically, the more you like/share/comment etc., the more likely you are to get my updates on your feed. If you are using other social media platforms besides Facebook, remember you can follow MsM also on: Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and Instagram. Come join us!
So, which was your MsM’s favourite recipe this year?
Once more I want to thank all of you for your love and support during these last 4 years!!! Here is to many more!!!
*In the spirit of full disclosure, this post contains some affiliate links, which means that I may get a commission if you decide to purchase anything from Amazon.com. I only recommend products that I use and love myself, so I know you’ll be in good hands.
Congratulations, Manu, on your 4th blogiversary and your wonderful achievements in that time! Inspirational stuff! Xxx
Manu, happy blog-anniversary! Four years, and so many great accomplishments, you do an amazing job with your site and all the praise is beyond well-deserved
I don’t comment often, but I am always here when you publish a new post, and of course never miss one of your SRC entries… those are so much fun!
I’ve been following you for several of these 4 years, so here’s to many many many more!
happy 4th blogiversary! here’s to many more delicious years to come!
Congrats Manu!!!
Happy blog anniversary
Congrats on your 4 years! I had just shared your spring rolls that I am absolutely wild about on Facebook. You know I am you number one fan always!!
Congrats! And many happy returns!
Congratulations Manu for this great achievement…4 years!!!
Congratulations and thank you for sharing your delicious creations. I enjoy all your postings and have shared your many dishes with family and friends. You have never disappointed. I look forward to sharing many more of your recipes. Salud!