As 2011 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the past year with some satisfaction and also a small measure of angst. Satisfaction because I have managed to steer the blog through the “terrible two’s” that seem to plague many blogs. There were the “rocks” of fatigue from posting week upon week, and the “shoals” of despair from traffic that may seem to slack off at times. In that journey, some major re-structuring to the blog became necessary and in the end, I find myself being able to post at a more sustainable level while improving (I hope) the quality of the articles. The angst came from seeing some dear fellow bloggers dropping off the foodie forum.
So it is out with the old, and in with the new as we look forward to 2012. To a chorus of Auld Lang Syne playing in my ears, I would like to line up my Top 10 posts for 2011. Some of these were sure fire winners in my reckoning from their very inception. Others were pleasant surprises, proving the old adage that “the people know best” when it comes to the public forum. So it is with the latter in mind that I take this opportunity to thank all of you for making these the best posts in Roti n Rice.
No. 10 – Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Panko and Bacon
No. 9 – Pisang Goreng (Banana Fritters)
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No. 8 – Vegetable Samosas
No. 7 – Baked Eggs in Tomato Cups
No. 6 – Roti Canai
No. 5 – Chickpeas and Tuna Patties
No. 4 – Sour Cream Cookies with Mangoes and Pistachios
No. 3 – Tau Foo Fah (Soy Bean Pudding)
No. 2 – Mango Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Drum roll…the No. 1 post of 2011 and also Roti’s all-time top post is Hasselback Sweet Potatoes!
It has been exactly 2 years since I first set fingers to keyboard to launch Roti n Rice. Tomorrow, December 31st, is Roti’s 2nd Blog Anniversary…YAY!
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!
Cheers! 8)
I would love to try all the recipes in your top 10 list, Biren. The sweet potatoes look fantastic. Best wishes for a very Happy New Year.
Thanks Cathy! Happy New year to you and yours!
They all look delicious. I would love to try the pisang goreng. Have a great New Year 🙂
Thanks Mari! The pisang goreng is one of my favorites. Happy New Year!
Happy Anniversary Biren!! I am so happy I found your blog along my own journey here in food blog-land! 🙂 I have not yet reached my one year anniversary so I applaud you for making it so graciously to your 2nd. 🙂 All your dishes look so amazing-how did you pick only top 10? Beautiful recipes and pictures as always. Can’t wait to see what you come up with next. Happy New Year as well! All the best for 2012. ~ Ramona
Thanks Ramona! I am glad too that we found each other’s blogs. You have wonderful recipes and I look forward to many, many more from you. Happy New Year!
Happy Blog Anniversary Biren! My mouth is watering over your beautiful and delicious round-up! I’m looking forward to another year of your recipes. Happy New Year!
Thanks Reeni! Looking forward to sharing more recipes with you. Happy New Year!
Congrats on your 2 year anniversary and Happy New Year! I think the 2 year mark causes many emotions. I wish you much luck in the coming year and your top 10 picks looks great!
Thanks Gwen! Yes, the second year comes with more emotions and reflections. I remember the first anniversary came and went quickly. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead!
Happy Blog-niversary Biren…
Wishing you all the best for 2012 …looking forward to many more food adventure 😀
Thanks Lisa! Happy New Year to you and your family!
Congratulations and Happy Blog 2nd Anniversary Biren!!
May it succeed as you wish 🙂
Thanks Ann! May 2012 bring you much happiness, health, and prosperity!
everything looks simply delicious, such great recipes!
Thanks Beti! Happy New Year!
Happy Blog Anniversary! Yes, it is a nice co-incidence, our blog shares the same anniversary! Here’s to another year of fun blogging!
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Yes, to another year of fun blogging. Looking forward to sharing more recipes with you. Happy New Year!
Hi Biren, Happy blog anniversary and looking forward to see more of your recipes and beautiful photos.
Happy New Year to you and family and may you be blessed with joy, happiness and in best of health. Have a nice day.
Thank you very much for your warm wishes Amelia! Wishing you and your family a very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!
All your top 10 look simply fabulous. So, you have to prepare all of them on our visit someday huh! hehe…. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO! Have a great day.
Kristy
Thanks Kristy! Will cook up a storm when you visit. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Happy anniversary! Your blog started one day after mine did. I guess we had great inspiration at the same time! I’m looking forward to going through 2012 with you, Biren. Happy New Year.
Ahh…great minds think alike. 😉 Yes, looking forward to more good eats with you. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year and 2nd anniversary. I love reading your articles.
Thanks Kym Kym! Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you and your family, Biren! Congrats on your 2-year anniversary too. You’ve done an amazing job with your blog. All these dishes look so delicious. I did try your hasselback sweet potatoes and loved it. Keep up the great work! Happy blogging in 2012!
Thanks Hyosun! So glad to hear you enjoyed the Hasselback sweet potatoes. It’s a winner! Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!
Big applause to your 2nd Anniversary and the line up of beautiful and delicious foods. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and passion for cooking with us. May you have a very Happy and Prosperous New Year, Biren!
~ ray ~
Thank you Ray for your kind comments and warm wishes. Wishing you and your family a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Congratulations Biren! You’ve done a wonderful job creating an engaging blog. I enjoy every visit! I have yet to make hasselback potatoes – you’ve inspired me to give them a try. Have a happy, healthy new year!
Thanks Kristi for being with me from the beginning. I appreciate your support and friendship. Happy New Year!
Happy Anniversary! Wow 2 years congratulations 🙂
Everything here is wonderful and I have enjoyed every single visit here 🙂
Again wishing you a delightful 2012!
Thanks Alisha for your kind words and support. They are much appreciated. Happy New Year!
A Happy and Prosperous New Year to you and your family, Biren! Congratulations on your blog’s 2nd anniversary too! Wishing you more wonderful years in the blogosphere!!! :-*
Thanks Tina! Happy New Year!
Biren, Happy Blog Anniversary! What a lovely post…you sure inspire me. I have the desire now to change up my sad looking blog now! I am just happy to hang around all you fantastic foodie friends and keep learning each day from you all!
Have a wonderful new year!!
Thanks Lyndsey for your kind comments and friendship. You have a lovely and warm blog. I enjoy my visits there. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year and Happy 2nd Blogoversary, Biren! 😀
Time really flies and it’s REAL fast! It seems like just one month ago when I started my blog! LOL
I’m so glad to have known you and your wonderful blog! Thank you so much for being my friend, for being so caring, supportive and encouraging. 😉
Aww…you are so sweet, Lyn. Glad to be your friend. Thank you for your kind words and support. Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!
everything looks delicious! looking forward to more in 2012!
Thanks and Happy New Year!
What a wonderful selection 🙂 Happy anniversary and a Happy New Year, Biren!
Many thanks! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year and may 2012 brings you wealth, happiness and great health! Love your delicious line-up!
Thanks Sonia! Wishing you and your family a very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!
A great line up of your best posts, I love the no.1 favorite:) Happy New Year to you Biren:)
Thanks Jeannie! Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
Happy blog birthday and happy new year!!!
Thanks Natasha and Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Biren!
I love that sweet potato 😉
Happy New Year, Angie!
Happy New Year…and Happy Blog Anniversary, dear Biren!
Such a successful 2yrs you’ve had on your blog, bring us such amazing and wonderful foods and desserts.
It’s been such a pleasure to stay in touch with you, and I’m looking forward to another great year.
Wishing you many blessings, and joy, health and prosperity for the New Year:DDD
Thanks Elisabeth for your sweet comments always. I have enjoyed staying in touch with you and look forward to our continued friendship and banter on the web. 🙂 Wishing you and your family a very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!
Happy 2nd blog anniversary, and happy new year to you (I see two glasses of champagne in that photo, perfect for a double celebration, yay!) I’m coming up for having my blog for 18 months, and I’m also feeling the tiredness of posting constantly and traffic dropping, but I admire your perseverance, and look where your blog is now! Keep it up and all the best for 2012! 🙂
Many thanks for your kind words. Blogging is hard work but it can also be very rewarding. Remember there is a very supportive community out there who will cheer you on. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Love all the best posts! & congrats on your 2nd blog anniversary. Happy New Year!
Thanks Marla for the well wishes. Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!
happy new year! i love this sweet potato recipe and Congrats on a wonderful 2 yrs of blogging!
Thanks Jessica! Happy New Year!
Biren, all of your recipes are great, especially that mango cake. Congratulations on your 2nd Blog Anniversary and keep up the good work! Here’s wishing you the best in 2012! Happy New Year!!!
Thanks Pam for your kind words. Happy New Year!
Wishing you many blessings for 2012!! CHEERS♥
Thanks Rebecka! Wishing you and your family a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Right there with you with your sentiments 🙂 So glad I found you in the blog-o-verse. Best wishes to you and your family in 2012! HAPPY NEW YEAR~
chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
I am glad I found you too. 🙂 wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!
Congratulations Biren and all the best success going forward!
Thanks Patty! Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
you have a great blog Biren and remember don’t stress its about having fun your a perfectionist he he love ya and great recipes and photography your a pro
Many thanks Rebecca for your friendship and kind words. I have really enjoyed interacting with you on the blogosphere. 🙂 Yes, blogging should be a fun thing. I have to remind myself of that when the going gets tough. Happy New Year!
What a delicious looking list! I have recently become obsessed with baking eggs in everything possible. My blog is about to have it’s 1st birthday and I am nervous about the “terrible twos”! Hopefully things will go smoothly =) Happy New Year!
Thanks Jenny! Congrats on your first year! You have to find a rhythm that works for you and it’ll be just fine. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Biren! Congrats on hitting 2 years and what a time it’s been! I’m so glad you’re here sharing your knowledge. It’s been a true pleasure getting to know you better and I look forward to sharing more with you in the new year!
Aww…thanks Julie! I have enjoyed interacting and sharing recipes with you. Perhaps we will meet one day when you come visit your brother. Looking forward to it. 🙂
I am late seeing this, but happy belated blogoversary! I need to go catch up on these posts, yum!
Thanks Trix! Wishing you a great year ahead!
CHEERS!!!! Happy 2nd Blogiversary Biren! I remember you have told me 2nd year is tough, BUT you have done amazing job! And I found you 2nd year. It’s too bad I missed your first year.. I’ve missed your Hasselback Sweet Potato post (or I should say I didn’t know you back then) and oh my this looks delicious and I’m a big and biggest fan of sweet potato so it’s a keeper! Happy New Year and kotoshi mo yoroshiku Biren!
Thank you Nami! Yes, I experienced many bumps in the second year. Hopefully the third year will be smoother. May you have a good year ahead and kochira koso. 🙂
Happy 2012 and a very Happy Belated 2nd Blog Anniversary, Biren! 😀
I’m so sorry that I’ve missed out so much of your postings! It’s really not easy to keep up on blog postings so consistently with all those chores and two kids but you’re doing it so well! Keep it up, Biren! 😉
I’d love to try your baked eggs in tomato cups, so cute and I’m sure my elder gal will love it as she likes tomatoes! Your Hasselback Sweet Potato looks very tasty too! 🙂
Thanks Lyn! I know what you mean as life can get really busy. I do appreciate all your visits and comments. Hopefully you will get to try some of the recipes as you settle into your new home.
Congratulations on your two year anniversary! That’s fabulous! Also, thanks for the warning that about the “terrible two’s”. 🙂 I know I just starting following you this year and I’ve loved everything I’ve seen, but I see that I missed some. I look forward going back and checking out what I missed in both 2011 and 2010! I also look forward what you bring in 2012. Happy 2012 dear friend!
Thanks you so much MJ! Looking forward to getting to know you better in 2012!
Hi, Biren, I’m not a foodie blogger, but my cousin steered me to your blog. Biren, it is a fabulous blog! Such great looking dishes (you are a super photographer as well). I am dying to try them all, especially the Bak Kut Teh, which I first tried in Kuala Lumpur when a teenager.
Also all your wonderful looking bakes. I salute anyone who can invent recipes. The best I can do is pat myself on the back when I can reproduce someone else’s recipe. I would like to send you a photo of one of my efforts from out of your blogs, when I have succeeded at it!
Hi! Welcome and thanks for your kind words. 🙂 I hope you will try out some of my recipes. Many are easy to make. Please do send me pictures of the ones you have tried. I would love to see them and post them Facebook. Do check out my fan page. The link is on the sidebar. Please visit again soon.