December, that was nothing! The pre-Christmas period was unusually quiet on the blog, although December is considered the month with the most views, especially among food bloggers. Various cookies and Christmas recipes had already been photographed long ago, but the unpleasant news kept coming and December was so stupid that there was simply no energy left for writing and posting. Well, we’ve already made provisions for next winter and have enough recipes ready – that’s something.
Apart from December, we had a good year that is worth looking back on. We published 25 blog posts in 2023 – something less than last year, but far away from the regular blogging rhythm that we managed (I have no idea how) a few years ago. As has been tradition for many years, we use the last day of the year to celebrate as part of the Foodblogbilanz to recap the blog year. This year we are also holding the blog event Sabine from Tastes like more launched ten years ago now (amazing!).
Under our own food blog balance 2023 you will find a list of all the blogs that our Invitation to the food blog balance 2023 followed and published a culinary review of the year. We will continually update the list. If you would like to be included with your food blog review, simply leave a comment with the relevant link.
Have a good new year, dear ones! We look forward to having you read here again in 2024.
Our food blog balance 2023
1. What was your most successful blog article in 2023?
2023 was the year in which we paid less attention to blog statistics than ever before. Therefore, looking at the numbers at the end of the year brings with it a little surprise. Not surprisingly, because it has been the undisputed number one of all blog posts for many years Avocado-Mango-Mozzarella-Salatwhich was also the most popular recipe of all in 2023.
What surprised us, however, was that the most read article this year was about imperial baths, fish sandwiches and spa architecture and took us to the island of Usedom. That ours Tips for a long weekend on Usedom in the low season We are very pleased that it has been so well received, especially since the article is a real heavyweight with a length of almost 27,000 characters.
2. Which three of your own blog articles from this year have meant the most to you personally?
Sabrina: I’ll stick with them for now Travel reports, because they are the ones that are particularly important to us. Not only because so much work and research goes into every travel article, but also and above all because they take us back to the respective city or country weeks, months and years after the trips and make the experiences so tangible again . It’s all the sadder that we can’t keep up with the travel posts because we often don’t have the time for them in everyday life. We’ve been looking at half-finished articles on Oslo and Bergen, Jerusalem, Seattle, the Oregon Coast and Porto from the draft folder for months, waiting for their big moment. Hmph.
On their behalf, I decide to go on a trip to Porto’s hip Cedofeita district – with trendy food spots, concept stores and street art.
In the spring I was head over heels for it Tel Aviv in love. That our highlights and tips for the Israeli city by the sea I am particularly pleased that our readers have also shown great interest. At the same time, the many beautiful moments that we experienced on our journey through Israel make us even more stunned by what has been happening in Israel and Gaza since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7th.
Things continue to be a little easier. I discovered my cake of the year! The Lemon coconut blondies with meringue have sweetened the man’s birthday this year and are a highlight not only in summer. A lemony, soft dough with a slight coconut note, plus a crunchy meringue topping – I’m telling you, make these blondies!
Steffen: Our trip to Israel was my third stay in the country, but the first without a job connection. So there was even more time to discover Israel’s culinary highlights. For the first time, I was able to stroll through the markets with Sabrina, sip cocktails in green courtyards and get to know the creamiest hummus in Tel Aviv. Our Food-Highlights in Tel Aviv have made it into a comprehensive blog article. I very much hope that there will be some calm in the region in 2024 and that Israel will be an option again as a travel destination.
In the spring, we not only satisfied Sabrina’s craving for truffle pasta during a walk and dinner in Charlottenburg, but also a incredible risotto found. The combination of asparagus, basil and strawberries was so good that it became a recipe for the blog shortly afterwards: Asparagus and ricotta risotto with strawberries and basil cream.
When I saw plums at the market for the first time after we returned from our summer vacation, I immediately had a craving for plum cake. And the best thing: I just remembered that there are two more big pieces Plum cake from the tray with almond cinnamon crumbles wait in the freezer. Yay!
3. And which three from other blogs inspired you the most?
The travel reports spontaneously come to mind USA across the northwest of the USA who helped us a lot when planning our trip to Washington and Oregon in the summer. Thanks, girls!
This also convinced us Paneer Butter Masala Recipe, which we found at Swasthi’s Recipes. Here you can find very detailed step-by-step instructions for the Indian classic, which has given the recipe a permanent place in our kitchen.
4. Which of the recipes you published in 2023 did you cook yourself most often – and why?
Apparently we were too busy getting supplies of paneer, because our two most popular recipes this year can still be found on the blog. On the one hand, there was the aforementioned Paneer Butter Masala, which also made it onto our list of everyday dishes because it freezes well. Its green brother is at least as frequently cooked and even easier to prepare: Palak Paneer, a spinach-based dish from Indian cuisine. Thanks to our new secret weapon (see question 6), there have been many evenings when a steaming plate of Indian food made us very happy. In any case, a resolution for 2024 is to photograph our now slightly adapted versions and share them with you.
5. What cooking or blogging issue has been bothering you in 2023? And have you solved it?
I’m starting to think the record is hanging. Because as announced here last year, it would have been urgent to bring the blog up to speed in terms of design and backend technology. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to do it, but it’s on the to-do list for 2024. Really this time. Hopefully.
6. What was your biggest culinary discovery this year – what food, recipe, kitchen technique, flavor opened up a whole new world for you?
2023 was all about the rice cooker. In the summer, a far too large black rice cooker monster moved into our kitchen, for which we had actually long wanted to create storage space in the cupboard. It’s been sitting on the kitchen counter for six months now because it’s not worth putting away because it’s used so often. It’s hard to believe what a step forward this device is. Our rice consumption has increased massively since then and it’s incredibly satisfying, just quick simple bowls to be able to cook perfect sushi rice. Long live the rice cooker!
The culinary discovery of the year beyond rice dishes was an initially inconspicuous pizza in Jerusalem. Among countless great plates at a dinner at Tzemah (also best dinner of 2023!) The pizza with Camembert, confit garlic and fennel jam was the absolute star. I still dream about this unusual combination of umami, sweet and salty. Of course, we have already made the pizza at home – the recipe will make it to the blog in 2024.
7. What was the best (or funniest) search term that brought visitors to your blog?
As was the case last year, many searches revolve around vacations in Japan, and Tokyo in particular was on many people’s travel lists for 2023. We can understand that, we are already planning another trip for next fall. But travelers who… “Tokyo in fast forward” or “How long does it take to get to Tokyo?” We can only advise you to slow down, because you should take your time for Tokyo. It’s quick in this one oversized city simply not. We think at least 6 to 8 days is ideal – We have more information about Tokyo travel planning here summarized. “Why do you want to go to Nashville?”, a searcher wants to know. Can we tell you: Great city, lots of music, great museums and magnificent culinary highlights! We would do it again in a heartbeat! “Fish roll prices Ahlbeck” – about €4.50, please, thank you, you’re welcome.
Who after “Mexican dessert with banana” is guaranteed with ours Tres leches cake with coconut and bourbon bananas happy. “Eat marzipan raw” Of course it’s clear, but why should you when it’s much better rolled up Cardamom snails tastes?! With “dressed eggs” Unfortunately we cannot serve you canned but! “Recipe from Otto Lenghi” – yes, we have a lot from good Otto on the blog; the Burrata with grilled grapes, mint and fennel seeds for example. And who “Kale modern” If you want to try it, you could try it on this one Pizza Bianca with spicy chickpeas and lemon garlic cream place.
8. What do you want for yourself and your blog for 2024?
That there are still a few people left who enjoy reading and enjoy consuming recipes in text form instead of as videos. In addition, the operators of this blog could be a little more motivated and post recipes and travel reports more regularly. After all these years (the blog turned 12 in November), we are still very happy when our recipes and travel reports arouse interest and encourage people to cook and travel.
You can read a food blog review for 2023 on these blogs
Feed me up before you go-go
