Since I've started blogging I noticed how my cooking has been influenced, directly or only more conceptually, by posts from other bloggers. I'm not the only one: there are a few recipes that have jumped between different food blogs. One example, between many, would be Maki's lentil and chestnut soup, which appeared more or less under new disguises on Chocolate and Zucchini and on The daily bread. Sometimes I even thought about cooking something and found a post about it on someone's else blog the next day... mind reading :-)?
All this started me thinking. Why not put up a day where, just for the fun, bloggers take up a certain theme and come up with a recipe (original or not) for it? It would be really interesting to see what people from different backgrounds come up with and a great chance to get new ideas. It would be even better if bloggers who don't usually post about food would take part... surprise us! In honour to cooking disasters (which everyone meets sooner or later) I thought that maybe calling it the "Is my Blog burning? day" would be a nice idea.
So here's my proposal: whoever wants to take part (everyone is welcome to join as long as no insulting/disturbing material is posted) could post, including "is my blog burning" in the title or body of the post, a recipe following one of the proposed themes.
When? I would say in two weeks, on Sunday (i.e. in 13 days). That doesn't mean that one HAS to cook on the Sunday :-)! If it works, it could be repeated, maybe once for year season to have a season ingredient theme day.
What to cook? I have two proposals. a) since it's winter a soup, not fair fro those in the southern hemisphere, but it's the first theme that came to mind. As ingredients: one main vegetable, seasonal if possible, some nuts and one main aromatic ingredient, be it an herb, spice, spice paste or similar. b) a noodle dish with chicken (all parts allowed) and a main aromatic component, as described before. In both cases other ingredients are clearly allowed but those stated should be the main ones.
Let me know what you think, if you have modification to this idea and which of the two themes you prefer (or if you have a better idea). Hope you'll "play" too!
sounds good. :)
now, i wonder if there's a place where we can place all the permalinks. hmm... anyone?
Posted by: Wena | January 26, 2004 at 05:40 PM
I like this idea too. Much prefer the soup option (does it _have_ to have nuts?). I have a lovely soup in mind already :)
Posted by: Angela | January 26, 2004 at 07:43 PM
I'm in - keep us all posted!
Posted by: dayment | January 26, 2004 at 07:57 PM
Angela: it doesn't HAVE to have nuts :-). As I said it's just a proposal. The idea would be to get a fix theme till Sunday so that those taking part have a week to think/cook. I'm fine with soup, vegetable and one aroma, and optional nuts :-)
Wena: good point about the permalinks. If there's not too many I could just list them here otherwise it would be nice if someone with more web space at their disposal could set up a simple page for them. On the other hand it's something that would make a nice extra but which is not strictly necessary IMO.
dayment: happy you like the idea!
Posted by: Alberto | January 26, 2004 at 11:41 PM
how about a ring? :)
Posted by: Wena | January 27, 2004 at 06:07 AM
Wena thta sounds like a very good idea. Must admit I have almost no clue where to start to build one, have to look into it.
Posted by: Alberto | January 27, 2004 at 11:46 AM
This sounds great! Count me in. I seem to need some cause to write about the cooking lately. I think there is a lot of potential for some unique recipes to be developed with this type of blog cooking day.
Posted by: Matt Kerner | January 29, 2004 at 06:03 AM
Matt, I'll be looking forward to your creation!
For everyone interested: I'll post a little update on the WE, regarding "theme" and furheter info for the food blogging day.
Posted by: Alberto | January 29, 2004 at 09:07 AM
Great idea. I'll spread it around.
I like theme concept and the soup idea. A future one could be a virtual potluck, I'd beat we'd come up with quite a spread. But then again we might wind up with 50 jello molds.
Posted by: paul | January 29, 2004 at 05:31 PM
Paul, thanks. The more people spread this around the better.
I really like the potluck idea for a next one. I wouldn't be too pessimistic: if we come up with 50 jello molds we can always try to get all the pics published in "the gallery of regrettable food" http://www.lileks.com/institute/gallery/ !
Posted by: Alberto | January 29, 2004 at 10:10 PM
So, did you do it again? Sounds like fun.
How about twice a year?
Posted by: Editor | August 10, 2005 at 02:37 PM
Hi Farid, nice to see you here.
Well, yes we did this again, quite a few times actually. IMBB? has become a montly event with 50-80 blogs taking part to the event in the last editions, with its own dedicated website: you can find the link at the top of the page to the right. There's a rather long list of future host already but new applications are always welcome.
Thanks to all the food bloggers that have taken part organizing and partecipating the event even got nominated as best meme for the 2005 bloggies, the blog awards.
All things considered it turned out quite fine ;-).
Posted by: Alberto | August 10, 2005 at 02:52 PM
Yeah, I found that link after I posted and I registered. :-)
Posted by: Editor | August 10, 2005 at 02:58 PM
Enjoyed your page! I have a similar page related to Drunk Girls at http://www.drunk-girls.biz/drunk
Posted by: Drunk Girls | September 04, 2005 at 08:01 PM
a monthly blog cooking is a good idea !
Posted by: Thom | June 09, 2006 at 03:38 AM
Thanks Thom. It has indeed been quite a success: a nomination as best meme for the Bloggies in 2005, quite a few other events inspired by IMBB? and we're coming to the 27th edition this month. It would be great if you would join the fun.
Posted by: Alberto | June 09, 2006 at 08:48 AM