Herbs and spices are one of the easiest ways to add bags of flavour to your meals. Check out these 4 Deliciously Spicy Recipes for some fab inspiration. Plus find the linky for #CookBlogShare Week 18…
I seem to always begin my Cook Blog Share posts with some sort of comment about the weather – but hey, I’m British so it’s pretty much my default conversation starter and also – we have been having some crazy weather lately!! …first there was that bonkers snow, I mean snow in Sussex in March is like practically unheard of! And then there was a heatwave – apparently the hottest weather in April in the UK for 70 years. It was hotter than it is normally in August! And now we are back to typical British spring of grey, cold, windy and rainy – yay! (sarcasm is my favourite form of humour in case you hadn’t noticed.)
All of this means my little tastebuds are quite confused, should I be eating stew or salad? Batch cooking warming soups or getting the BBQ out?
I was however enormously grateful for the mini heatwave we had a couple of weeks ago as it managed to rather serendipitously coincide with something I’ve been looking forward to doing for AGES!! Getting new headshots done for the blog.
When I started the blog I had a pretty hideous headshot I’d actually taken myself, using my camera at arm’s length and this was followed up by the one I’ve had for yonks of me all dressed up to go out for dinner, that my hubby took. Literally the only decent photo of me he’s ever taken. (Sorry sweetie.)
But it wasn’t really the look I wanted for my blog. In fact I wanted more than just a headshot – I wanted something that would act as my personal branding – something that would convey who I am and what I am all about through the photos themselves.
I discovered Lucy from Fresh Leaf Creative quite by chance, one day on a mass google hunt for someone who might be able to offer more than a couple of staid stiff corporate style headshots and when I clicked onto her website I was pretty sure I’d found what I was looking for. And I wasn’t wrong. You can read my review of my fab personal branding photoshoot with Fresh Leaf Creative here. And head over to my About Me page to see more of Lucy’s fab photos!
The other reason I wanted some personal branding shots was that I am soon to launch a brand new website: www.productiveblogging.com – whoop whoop. Don’t worry I’m still going to be regularly creating recipes on Easy Peasy Foodie, but I am currently working hard to bring my second blog to life.
It’s a blog where I will be sharing my blogging tips and helping others to start, grow and monetise their blogs – all while staying sane, being organised and not burning out!! I strongly believe in concentrating on your own blogging goals, rather than feeling like you have to do #allthethings because everyone else is. So there will be a big focus on productivity, time management and goal setting as well as lots of practical help with the day to day stuff too.
I am super excited about it and I am discovering that starting a second blog, when you already kind of know what you are doing, is so much more enjoyable than the first time round. And doing the design/branding is much less scary than when I did my rebrand here on Easy Peasy Foodie, because I’m not scared of breaking anything or my website looking all clunky while I do the changes (‘cos no one can see it!) …it’s so liberating!
So watch this space as there will almost certainly be more news on Productive Blogging next time I host #CookBlogShare!
4 Deliciously Spicy Recipes
The recipes that really caught my eye this week all had one thing in common: SPICE! Regulars to my blog will know I am a huge fan of using spices in my cooking – they are such a great way of getting flavour into meals quickly and easily – I mean it’s not exactly hard to tip a couple of teaspoons of spice into a pan, now is it? But the difference they can make to a meal is quite phenomenal!
If you are not a #CookBlogShare regular and are wondering what an earth I am going on about, #CookBlogShare is a place for bloggers to share their recipes. If you are a blogger and have a recipe to share, you can link up your post by following the instructions below. If you are not a blogger, but love food and cooking, do check out the recipes that will be appearing below. If this week is as good as they usually are you will find some awesome recipes – the #CookBlogShare bloggers are very good at what they do!
Camarones Chipotle Crema
First of all, I had to kick off with this delicious recipe for Camarones Chipotle Crema (which translates to Chipotle Cream Shrimp) from Angie at Fiesta Friday. It’s the Mexican festival ‘Cinco de Mayo’ in just a few days’ time, and this recipe would be the perfect way to celebrate! (Any excuse to eat delicious Mexican food). These gorgeous Mexican spiced shrimps sound like they taste out of this world, but are surprisingly simple to make.
Spicy Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing
Next up, I had to feature this beautiful Spicy Thai Salad with Peanut Dressing from Kate at The Veg Space. This delicious vegan salad is packed full of spicy Thai flavours and would make a wonderful lunch as a standalone dish or a fab side to a BBQ. (If only that heatwave would come back!)
Lamb Shish Kebabs with Grilled Vegetables and Bulgar Wheat
The lovely Jess of Jess Eats and Travels is on a mission to eat her way around the world…alphabetically! As this series is relatively new she is still on A (who knew there were so many countries beginning with A?), and this week sees her in Armenia. The lovely thing about her eat around the world series is that she is eating and sharing the cuisines bloggers don’t normally focus on – like Armenia! I’m not convinced I’ve ever seen, let alone tasted a recipe from Armenia. The recipe Jess has chosen to share from Armenia is this delicious sounding Lamb Shish Kebabs with Grilled Vegetables and Bulgar Wheat. I am a big fan of Turkish/Middle Eastern flavours…and of course lamb! So this recipe is right up my street!
Maple Pecan Overnight Oats with Sweet Potato
Finally, I couldn’t not include a sweet and spicy recipe and this Maple Pecan Overnight Oats with Sweet Potato recipe from Monika from Everyday Healthy Recipes is just perfect! I love how she has included Sweet potato in her overnight oats recipe – to add extra nutrients, sweetness and or course extra deliciousness. She has also added cinnamon, which must make this recipe super delicious, as well as being a very healthy way of adding a sweet taste without loads of sugar. Topped with toasted pecans coated in maple syrup, this to me sounds the perfect breakfast!
#CookBlogShare Linky Week 18
And so we come to this week’s linky. You can link up any foodie post that you have – both old and new posts are welcome. All you need to do is:
- Link up a recipe or foodie post by clicking the blue ‘add your link’ button below and following the instructions (maximum of 4, please).
- Add a link from your post back to this post (so everyone else can find it and link up too!) and / or add the #CookBlogShare badge to your post (you can find the code below).
- Comment on one of the host’s posts and a minimum of 2 other posts linked up here, and generally share the love with a bit of social media action!
If you wish, you can tweet a link to your recipe to me @easypeasyfoodie and also (if you have room on the tweet!) my co-hosts Kirsty @k_phillipson, Jacqui @jacdotbee and Monika @MonikasRecipes, using the #CookBlogShare hashtag and we will retweet them. You can also post your recipe on the Cook Blog Share Facebook Page.
Need some help on Instagram? You and me both…so let’s help each other! Whenever you post to Instagram, use the #CookBlogShare hashtag, then quickly hop over to the #CookBlogShare feed, liking as many as you can and commenting on any that particularly catch your eye. Not a big job at all, but if we all do it, it would make a BIG difference!!
I will comment on a selection of my favourite posts this week and pin them all to the Cook Blog Share Pinterest Board. I can’t wait to see what you’ve all been making!
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Just to remind you, by joining in, you are giving the #CookBlogShare hosts permission to use your pictures in a round up and on social media, if your recipe is selected as one of our favourites!
Pin 4 Deliciously Spicy Recipes for later
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook says
Hello, Eb! You are looking so beautiful in your photos. 😉
Thanks a lot for hosting and for the wonderful roundup! Have a fab week! x
Eb Gargano says
Aw, thanks Jhuls – have a fab week too!! 😀 Eb x
Corina Blum says
As you know, I love spicy recipes as well and this is a lovely round up! Your new pictures look great too – very professional. x
Eb Gargano says
Haha – thanks Corina. I thought you’d like this one 🙂 Eb x
Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery says
Gorgeous photos hun! Will be looking out for your new blog too!
Eb Gargano says
Aw, thanks sweetie! Xx
Jessica Cantoni says
Eb!! I absolutely LOVE your new photos! You look wonderful 🙂 Also can I just say that I might have to steal your hairstyle… it’s just what I’ve been looking for, something short (ish) and practical but also with some volume at the same time! Anyways, back to the food! Getting a bit distracted! Congrats on your new blog too! I can’t wait for have a read. I’m always up for learning how to be more productive xx
Eb Gargano says
Thanks so much Jess! JoJo did an amazing job on my hair and makeup – my hair’s not normally curly. It’s naturally very straight – but I love it like this! I’ve only just recently had it cut to this length and I am loving it – practical but pretty – so easy to style and just long enough to get up into a ponytail. Perfect! Eb x
Monika Dabrowski says
First of all thank you for including my recipe in the features! I love that gorgeous looking shrimp recipe! Your new photos look fab, soon we’ll all be restyling our boring old photos. Or maybe just me… My excuse for not changing anything so far has been that I am waiting for the right hair day – as if that’s ever going to happen! Can’t wait to see your new blog!
Eb Gargano says
A pleasure Monika! And thanks for your lovely comments about my photos – hahaha, do you think I’m going to start a trend? It’s funny how that happens…one blogger does something and suddenly everyone’s like…oooh I should be doing that too! Don’t wait for the right hair day – just get JoJo on the case – she did wonders with my hair!! Eb x
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says
Loving the new pics Eb – they’re beautiful. I really ought to get some fresh ones done too – the one on the blog is 12 yrs old (I know!) – I just hate having my picture taken! Can’t wait to hear more about your new blog too – sounds as though it’s going to be super helpful xx
Angela x
Eb Gargano says
Aw, thanks Angela. You should definitely get new pics done. I think it’s really worth it. I avoided having a pic of my face on the blog for such a long time, but it was one of the best things I ever did!! I’m not much of a fan of having my photo taken…or rather I don’t mind at all having the actual pic taken it’s the results I usually hate!!! But honestly in Lucy’s hands the whole process was so much fun, she really put me at ease and helped me relax and enjoy the process. And I am so thrilled with the results! Eb x
Donna says
Eb, you look fantastic and I can’t wait to see your new blog! I might get some photo’s taken. I’m a bit scared of it though!
Eb Gargano says
Aw, thanks Donna! Do it – honestly, I’ve been planning to do this for ages and now I’m kicking myself for not doing it sooner!! I can’t recommend Lucy highly enough. She was so good at putting me at ease and helping me relax and enjoy the process. Far from being scary the whole day was super fun!! Eb x
Cat | Curly's Cooking says
Really like your new shots, they look fantastic! I’m also very excited about your new blog. I can’t wait to read all of your tips. I have been working really hard for the last 6 months on improving my blog and extra tips are always useful!x
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Cat! I’m really hoping my new blog will be super useful for everyone! Xx
Nickki says
You look amazing! Great pictures, so professional! The new blog sounds fantastic – I’m really looking forward to it! Exciting times ahead ?
Eb Gargano says
Aw thanks so much Nickki! Really hope my new blog will be super useful for everyone…exciting times indeed!! Eb x
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
Congratulations on your new venture Eb. So exciting for you. The new photos are perfect….. I wish I could exude the confidence that you show….. I hate being in front of a camera!!!! x
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Kate! That’s not natural confidence Kate, I can assure you – that’s a great photographer…Lucy was so good, really put me at ease and made the whole process super fun! Eb x
Jacqui Bellefontaine says
Fabulous Photos, you look stunning. Very approachable and friendly . I do remember your early one! Great round up . I just know your new blog will be a success. j x
Eb Gargano says
Aw thanks Jacqui – do you really remember the early one – eeeek! It was so awful – didn’t look like me at all!! Eb x
Marilyn Lesniak says
Thank you for hosting. I love sharing with your readers and always find inspiration here. Today I am leaving a Salmon Salad, Fresh Melon Fruit Salad, and Raspberry Cheesecake with Mini Cadbury Eggs. Have a blessed week! #OverTheMoon #WWBlogHop #ThursdayFavoriteThings
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Marilyn – you too!! Eb x
jenny walters says
Great round up and lovely pics.Fab news about your new blog!I can’t wait to read your posts.I have been working really hard on my blog half the time just blundering about wasting hours on mistakes!!!So this will be soooo useful!Good luck!
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Jenny – so pleased you like the sound of my new blog. Really hoping it’s going to be super useful for everyone. It is so easy to spend hours and hours a day faffing around on a blog and never really achieving anything – I really want to show how with a few small changes you can get rid of the unnecessary stuff on your do list and actually start doing the things that will grow your blog and make good money from it too. I’ve learned so much in the years I’ve been blogging and I really want to give back!! Eb x
Helen - cooking with my kids says
I can’t wait to see your new blog. I’m still just muddling my way through blogging so it sounds like it’ll be really useful!
Eb Gargano says
Thanks Helen. Really hope you find it useful! I will definitely share on #CookBlogShare when it goes live 😀 Having so much fun getting it ready at the moment.
Angie | Fiesta Friday says
Sounds like you’ve been having fun. Professional photoshoot, a new blog, etc. Exciting stuff! Thank you so much for featuring my Camarones recipe! ?
Eb Gargano says
Definitely, Angie! Having a lot of fun at the moment. So much good stuff happening. A pleasure to feature your lovely recipe 😀 Eb x
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder says
I already said it on Facebook but your photos look gorgeous. Such an exciting time for you getting your second blog baby ready for the world and if I was a betting person (well maybe I am lol) I would put my money on it to be a huge success! I know I will be reading it and taking advice from it for sure, can’t wait!
Delicious round up too! 🙂 x
Eb Gargano says
Aw, thanks Jo! That’s so nice of you – really hope you are right!! Xx
Choclette says
You look gorgeous in all of those photos. And a good idea to rebrand and show what you want to represent. Love all the spicy recipes too – but that goes without saying 😀
Eb Gargano says
Aw, thanks Choclette! Xx