Finally got it! The chance to blog on MariasMenu. You've probably heard about me (Jose)… well, I used my persuasion skills on Maria to share with you a simple (and healthy) bachelor's recipe! But before I divulge it, let me tell you some more stuff about MariasMenu.com and announce the results of the competition (Can't wait…? Scroll below to find the winner!)
Last week, Maria gave you the motivation for the site. Today, I'll take you behind the project.
Once I had Maria convinced that she needed a blog to share her recipes (the real reason was to keep her busy so I could have some free time!) – we searched for a name, something simple, something relevant to cooking. We weren't quite creative – so we came up with MariasMenu.com.
We needed a simple blogging solution, so we turned to WordPress. We then purchased the domain, the hosting space, installed WordPress, a free downloaded theme and Mint tracking software. The deal was to blog for 1 year no matter what. If things didn't work out, we'd only lose some time, effort and a bit of cash. No worries.
Things were slow, but Maria was learning… we changed the site design (after a lot of fighting), my carefulness managed to wipe out the entire database at one point in time, losing all recipes and pictures (I really took the heat for that!), then she figured out how to use my camera (darn!) and so we progressed slowly…
3 years on, and 150+ recipes later… things have changed (besides adding a few inches to my waist) – most of the change took place in the last year. We introduced an easier-to-use design, Twitter, Amazon books, FeedBurner mailing list, customized Google search, threaded comments, random recipes (Chef Cappy), food gallery, cooking converter and of course advertisements to support the site. Phew… that's a lot of work!
Let me just conclude by saying this… Blogging is not easy, but it certainly is a rewarding experience! Thank you for being a part of it… So that's it! I got my chance… it was a bit long, I know I won't get another chance (ok… maybe next year).
The answer to last week's birthday competition is…. “4” ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 )
And the lucky winner is….
“Zaara“
Congratulations! You receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card. We'll be sending you the coupon by email (So check your inbox). You can use that to purchase a book or something you like on Amazon… or you can pass it on to anyone you like.
Oh, did I forget the recipe?
there are a whole load of good recipies in there!!!!
i see them and my mouth waters ;)
hope to see u soon
Thats so colorful and gorgeous looking salad jose!! maria’s a lucky gal :)
I tell her that often… she doesn’t believe me ;p
A hubby who cooks and blogs too..??That must be a dream*pinch pinch*,oh no..it isn’t??Well lucky you Maria..:):)
Congrats to both of you for this amazing space..you guys are doing a great job!!
Congrats to Zaara too!!
I think she’ll have to keep on dreammminnng…
Unfortunately my skills are limited to forced bachelorhood… I am however good at eating :)
Thanks.
that picture can be used as a coverpage for ur cooking book Mr.JPMartin! all the best to this budding cook!
Haha… if we ever come around to that… she wont let me use my name!
Shooooooooot I got the right answer!! So i guessed right. Congrats Zaara!!
Jose: Good to hear side your side of the story. Thanks for the recipe. Keep up the excellent work jose and maria.
Maria: Did you get a chance to look up my blog?
Thats a nice write up and I see how well the Husband is supporting the wife!!Impressive….May god bless u both.
Well, to be frank, Maria was one of my inspirations to cook and even start a blog and i remember how much I used to drool seeing ur food pictures (almost everyday)!! I have made quite few dishes at that time from ur site as well. Then I started a blog of my own to get rid of my boredom and now Im living on it… You can see ur chilli prawns in my blog:)…Posted it long ago…. Thx alot maria. U r sweet, Kind and really great.
By the way, that salmon salad looks great…wud love to try it one day…Never used asparagus ever in my dish though!
he he he….That was a humorous post! “….it was a bit long, I know I won’t get another chance ” lol. The salad looks great too!!
Its simply great to read from you Jose,the teerible support of Maria..
But your salad looks thorougly professional..ha
Maria,three cheers !!
aaha..hubby’s attack on marias blog, eh? well..this is not something u see everyday..the man behind the success speaking ..he he..anyways we the readers give u a warm welcome and hope to see many more such easy bachelor kind recipes from you..so do come in as a guest blogger once in a while.. looks like a nice salad by the way.. and the tip abt avocado cutting surprised me..u talk like a chef on food network !
Ammu, you can imagine the amount of effort it takes to let me blog on her site!
And I always do my homework before setting out to do something…
One day, I’ll be competition for Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen… but for now, I’ll leave it to the pros.
Nice to see you do a post as well..scrumptious salad.
Congrats Zaara!
Congrats to Zaara for winning the challenge :) That is a lovely healthy salad :)
Yippeee!!!! Thank you – thank you – I love Amazon and can knock off a bunch of things off of my wish list!!!
Heyy!! Jose,it was lovely to see you blog here!! So it’s a bachelor’s recipe! Need to pass it onto my fiance :@ Congratulations Zaara!we both gave the same answer but lucky u!!!! Looking forward to many more guest blogging @ MM. Btw, lovely easy salad!!
Thanks. I try not to show off my culinary skills… i might just end up cooking all day!!
Maria will have to decide on the guest blogging… but sounds like a good idea.