Cook With Green Event: Winner Announcement

Hey hey hey! I am happy to announce that Cook With Green event is complete now.  I am so happy and glad that you all participated with great excitement and linked all your green special dishes.

Again, I acknowledge each and every one of you for sending in your entries and making my event such huge hit. The winner is selected through radmon.org. The number is 27 and the winner is My Cooking Journey. 

Also due to work commitments I could not announce winners sooner so I am sorry about that. Thanks for the love and support.

Pop Up Event | My Dairy Free Dream Ice Cream

Every man thinks every girls’ dream is to find the perfect guy; psshhh, every girls’ dream is to eat without getting fat. And that is why when I read the words lowfat, guilt free, non dairy and icecream it was a dream come true. Last Friday Sandhya of Sandhya’s kitchen and me attended a pop up My Dairy Free Dream Ice cream event. Thanks Sandhya for tagging me along, it was so much worth it.

The event was held at Good House Keeping Institute in the heart of London. When we entered, the team gave us a warm welcome followed by short introduction about the My Dairy Free Dream Icecreams. Everything was pink- the posters, the bean bags, napkins but the pink ice cream cart was the cutest.  For those living lactose free, non dairy lifestyle, Dream products are the best alternative, find more information here-http://www.mydairyfreedream.com/

Ice cream but non dairy, ice creams but fewer calories.....but no compromise in the taste, texture and flavours. Dream Ice Cream are made using almonds as the base to deliver the bang on creamy, velvety and smooth feel. We were spoilt with the choices given to make our own ice cream concoction using flavours including Salted Caramel, Praline Crunch, Velvety Vanilla and Mint Chocolate Chips.

To tell you a little secret, all the flavours were great, and I dint even bothered to have some syrup over it, it was yummy as it is. Mint Chocolate Chip was a remarkable blend of chocolate and the minty kick was the perfect climax. Praline crunch was a smooth with tiny bits of nuts to give the missing crunch. Velvety vanilla was rich and will be a great accompaniment with brownies, cakes or even on cold coffee.  Salted Caramel was the yummiest and my favourite among all-Creamy, lashings of sweet caramel with the hint of salt- a taste bud teasing experience.  Do try these icecreams, available exclusively at Waitrose costing £4.99

Over all I was so happy to end my week guilt free over a sweet note with My Dairy Free Dream Ice Cream. Thanks to this wonderful team :)

After the event we caught a glimpse of Christmas lights at Oxford Circus.

Disclaimer: I was not paid or told to write positive review. The post is based on my experience and is unbiased. Thanking Dream and Havasww for inviting me for this event.

Recap Event Announcement And Giveaways- Celebrating 2 Years Of Blogging

So I have been so busy that I missed an important date, I failed to notice that my little blog is now 2 years old. Something I started just as a diary to keep my recipes safe and organised is now so special to me. In last 2 years I have learnt many new techniques, tried new dishes, made new friends and became more passionate about cooking. Ever since then whatever I wrote on this space is with complete devotion and dedication. All you readers have been so supportive and encouraging by participating in the events, liking the posts on Facebook, commenting on them and following me on twitter- it is you all who keep this blog running. Thank you very much.

I am also grateful to Mr. Husband for motivating and criticizing the dishes and clicks -without which I would have not improved. He reads all the posts and picks out the grammatical errors- which is annoying sometimes but I know he wishes only good for me. He waits patiently when I click food photos, understands my craze for props and finally finances them. Thank you :)

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Past 2 years have been very exciting and I enjoyed every bit of it. What happened in these 2 years, what I did, what did I achieve-I am sharing with you all?

• Total number of blog posts is 310, out of which 5 are Travel post and has no recipes. I also wrote an article on -‘’What a food blogger does?’’
• There are total 38,450  published comments on my blog. Each one of it is very special to me.
• The most popular blog post is Milk Powder Churma, followed by Spinach Muthiya.
• Tuesday’s tip section is the most liked feature of my blog. There are total 20 tips that I have shared. I have received lot of comments and mails requesting and asking for more tips. I am still trying to grow this section, till now ‘how to deodorize the fridge’ is the most popular tip.
• Readers says that I have improved a lot in food photography. I finally own DSLR Cannon 600D and I am enjoying it. First picture  I clicked with it was of Gond Ke Ladoos . Many of you have been asking to do blog post related to food pictures only. Let me know if you are interested.
• Number of people following Merry Tummy 650. Facebook fans- 457; Twitter Followers- 80; Pinterest- 62 followers. I think the numbers are great. :)
• Merry Tummy has hosted 6 events with giveaways and received more than 120 entries at each one of them.
• Lately I am on YouTube-I have posted 4 recipes with videos. See the YouTube section HERE and please subscribe.
• I have worked with 19 brands and PR agencies and wrote product reviews. All the reviews were unbiased and fair. I was only compensated to keep the product and was not given any monetary benefit. I enjoyed doing product reviews a lot and will do more.

Other Achievements:

• The healthy recipes that I share are also showcased on Times Of India’s health section-HeathMeUp. You can see my articles HERE.
• Roasted Tomatoes Garlic Soup recipe has been featured in New York RedBook Magazine. CLICK HERE.
• Gormandize UK have interviewed me which can be read HERE. I also won First Prize- an amazing Coffee Machine in the Christmas Baking Competition organized by them-CLICK HERE.
• Country Living has also featured the Roasted Tomatoes Garlic Soup recipe on their site. See HERE.

Snapshots of Features

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‘'To succeed you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality''. This is just the beginning I am sure the best is yet to come. To celebrate 2 years of blogging I am having an event with a giveaway.  It is a Recap Event- an that will give me rush of memories and have recap of my blog posts.

How to participate:

• Follow my any recipe from the blog and make it in your kitchen. Write a post about it giving link back to the original recipe. You can make some modifications as per your taste but GIVE RECIPE SOURCE back to my page
• Simply copy this at the end of the post- Sending this for Merry Tummy Recap Event.
• Usage of logo is compulsory as as it helps to spread the word.
• You have to like Merry Tummy's Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter and Follow Merry Tummy. (Compulsory)
• Only after your first entry, share the event details at Facebook page. (I want more people to know about the event). Keep your post public in Facebook so that I can see it. (Compulsory- have to do only once)
• Event runs from 29 May 2014 to 1 August 2014.
• Bloggers and Non bloggers are welcome to participate. Send a mail to agrawal.shweta.n@gmail.com with the subject line as Recap Event with the following details:
• Your Name
• Recipe Name
• Blog Name
• Recipe URL (Please send the Recipe URL and not the blog URL)
• Picture of the dish (If it is not on the blog)

Giveaway:

I am sure this will excite you. First prize is WAFFLE MAKER/MACHINE (worldwide).

The one who send maximum entries wins. 

Hope you like the event. Any questions-mail me. Get set and cooking:)

Winners Announcement Of Cook With Red Event

How is the new year coming up for you all? I am busy reading some novels that I picked when I went to India last month. Also I am trying my best to take some good photos and thank you all for lovely comments specially praising my clicks :) So Cook With Red Event has come to an end. I never expected that I would receive 112 entries but you guys are wonderful. You all sent the recipes of all the genres- be it, delicious Christmas bakes, simple chutneys to tasty spicy curries. Thanks everyone for making this event a grand success. *happy dance*

The triumph of the event would not have been possible without you contributors. I am very grateful to each participant who linked the recipes. Thank you for your support at my FB page, Twitter account. As a token of appreciation - here is your Participation Certificate. Please grab and show off to your readers. 

Best Recipe Award goes to Lincy’s Cook Art for Christmas pudding. This dish firstly looked so lip smacking-the colour –the texture and not to forget the Christmas theme. Also, she took pain and provided us with step by step pictures. Totally loved it .Thanks, please grab your award. Hope you will like it :-)

Best Innovative Recipe goes to Rajma Dosa from Easy And Simple Food. She gave new makeover to simple rajma and chawal-The unique idea makes this dish outstanding. I know I am no expert to decide but being a blogger I felt that the recipe was very creative. Please collect your valuable award :)

The next is Best Click award. I am so happy to say that this also goes to Lincy's Cook Art for Dum Aloo. All her pictures were crisp, clear and attractive. Again, I am no professional judge, but I like the clicks that are sharp and neat.  You nailed it, below is your second earned award :)

Top contributor award goes to Chikku’s Kitchen. She with full enthusiasm sent me maximum number of entries from starters to mains to desserts. I congratulate her with all my best wishes. Below is your deserved certificate-hope you like it :)

Now the most awaited one- the winner of the giveaway. I selected one lucky blogger through random.org and the fortunate one is number ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­9-Mutter Paneer from Cuisine Delights. Congratulations :-)

I also promised that I will give one special award to anyone who comes with beautiful decorated cake. Sadly, I dint get any entry for it. So I have chosen another lucky blogger through random.org. And the number is 43-Upside Down Peach And Saffron Cake from Melange ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­. Congratulations :-)

Both of you please mail me your complete Indian postal address. Also mention what you will like to have as prize -cookware, bakeware, cook books or kitchen accessories. Please mail me within 24 hours else I will choose another winner. 

Through these events I have seen some amazing recipes and spotted passionate bloggers-kudos to you. Again, thanks very much- means a lot.

In march I will be completing 2 years of Blogging, I am planning something real huge for you guys. So stay tuned for that event. Hugs :-)

Round Ups-

Cook With white 

Cook with Yellow 

Cook With Red 

Cook With Red Event 1 And Giveaways

Christmas and New Year is around the corner. Everywhere in London I see sparkling trees, snowy decorations and glowing lights- so jovial isn't it? Don’t you just enjoy witnessing the beautiful red- Santa caps, socks, jingle bells? I personally love red- the colour of passion, love and energy. So let’s follow the red trend in the blogging world as well and celebrate Christmas and New Year with red as themed colour this time.

Yes! all you have to do is cook with red ingredients’.  Some of the examples of red food are apples, red lentils, pomegranate,strawberries, red onions, carrots, red chilies, cherries, beetroot, tomatoes etc etc. Yup! Put on your thinking caps and cook anything red. Here is the collection of my recipes which were cooked with red things- roasted tomato soup, red lentils tadka, chocolate strawberry cake, nutty carrot salad, red onion paratha, Spaghetti in Arrabiata Sauce .

Rules for the event-

• Cook with anything red. Red ingredient must be the main one and not just used in garnishing.
• Looking for fresh entries thus try out new recipes. So, no archived posts will be entertained. Your post has to between November 2013- Janruray 2014.
• Multiple entries are welcome and appreciated.
• The event has to be linked back as Cook With Red Event announced at Merry Tummy. (Compulsory)
• Usage of logo is optional but I would be happy if you could use it, as it helps spread word.
• You have to like Merry Tummy's Facebook Page and Follow Merry Tummy. (Compulsory)
• Follow me on Twitter
• Only after your first entry, share the event details at facebook page.(I want more people to know about the event). Keep your this post public in Facebook so that I can see it.(Compulsory- have to do only once)
• Please use the linky tool to link your recipes below. (Mention the name of the dish you make and not your name.)
• Else Send a mail to agrawal.shweta.n@gmail.com with the subject line as Cook With Red  and with the following details:
• Your Name
• Recipe Name
• Blog Name
• Recipe URL (Please send the Recipe URL and not the blog URL)
• Pic of the recipe (If it is not on the blog)
• Non bloggers are most welcome to participate. Just send me the recipe details with a click of the recipe to the above mentioned email.

Lucky Giveaway - Yes there is one giveaway. I will choose one lucky person through random.org. I will then ask the winner to choose from cookware, bakeware, cook books or kitchen accessories as prize. Once again, the giveaway is open for people who can give Indian address :) There will also be certificates for top contributor, best innovative recipe, best recipe, best click and participation award. 

Surprise Giveaway- I am also keeping one surprise prize. Anyone who comes with beautiful decorated cake will get one special prize. So keep baking. (This is valid for my friends in the UK and India both)

Here is a glimpse of what I have send so far to the winners of the events.

Cookware-Non Stick Frying Pan; Bakeware-Butterfly shaped 3 silicon cake moulds; Cookware- Branded pigeon cute small frying pan.

You all lovely people have made my events- Cook With white and Cook with Yellow a mega success. I have seen some amazing recipes and spotted passionate bloggers-kudos to you. Again, thanks very much- means a lot.

Hope you all will like the theme. Red is in the air :-). Send in the tasty dishes ladies :)

(Image Source: logo, Cutchi kicthen, babitha Costa and Spicy Foood)

And the winners are...

How is the festive season keeping you all?? I m sure you all are very busy cooking this and that. Keeping in mind the festive mood I organised Cook With White Event and I received 96 entries. Each entry was special in its own :-). You all send it recipes of all the genres- vrat dishes, sweet delights, traditional meals. Thanks everyone for making this event a grand success. *happy dance*

I loved the response from you all and I am very mush encouraged to host other interesting events in the future. I was very busy these months, so I am so sorry for not leaving comments on your entries. I promise I will do that next time- please forgive me for now :-)

The success of the event would not have been possible by the contributors. I am very grateful to each participant who linked the recipes. Thank you for your support at my FB page, Twitter account. As a token of appreciation and support- here is your Participation Certificate. Please grab and show off to your readers.

Best Recipe Award goes to Partha’s Rhapsody for Dahi Kebab. You all know how much I love kebabs and I am always looking for vegetarian kebabs recipes. Step by step pictures made me eager to try it myself and I loved it. Thanks, please grab your award. Hope you will like it :-)

Top Contributor Award goes to Cooking With Sapna. I express gratitude for all the lip-smacking dishes that you shared at my event. You did wonderful job with your contribution. Below is your award- show it off :-)

Best Innovative Recipe’s winner is Just Not The Cakes for Sri Lankan Chocolate Cake. Cake as it was unique and I never even heard about this cake. You must also check the way she decorated it. Just pop at her site and see what innovation she has done with a cake. Also, to mention she was second in contribution after Sapna.Thanks please collect your award.

Finally for the Giveaway Winners I used randorm.org and the lucky numbers were 22 and 79. Huge congratulations to Babi’ Recipes for Barley Pongal and Spicy Foood for PaalKozhukattai. Please mail me your complete Indian postal address. Also mention what will you like to have as prize -cookware, bakeware, cook books or kitchen accessories. Please mail me within 24 hours else I will choose another winner.

Once again, thank you all. New event coming soon. 

Cook with white round up HERE

Cook with yellow roundup HERE

Cook with yellow winner announcement HERE

Cook With Yellow Event Winners Annoncement And A Big Thanks :)

Hey hey hey! I am happy to announce that Cook With Yellow event is complete now. What an event it was! I got 150 entries and each one was excellent and yummy. I am so happy and glad that you all participated with great excitement and linked all your yellow summer special dishes. Here is the round up.

Again, I acknowledge each and every one of you for sending in your entries and making my event such huge hit.  I will like to mention one non blogger Bini Basheer also mailed me her dishes and I will post them on my FB page :-)Thanks Bini :- )As promised please grab below the participation award and show off your achievement and proud certificates on your blogs and do a happy dance:)

Top contributor award goes to Food Mazaa. She with full enthusiasm sent me maximum number of entries from starters to mains to desserts. I congratulate her with all my best wishes. Below is your deserved certificate-hope you like it :)

Now I liked each recipe a lot, but if I have to choose one then it will be Pina Colada Mousse of Mayuri Jikoni. The unique idea makes this recipe outstanding and innovative. I know I am no expert to decide but being a blogger I felt that the recipe was very creative. Mayuri, please collect your valuable award :)

The next is best click award. I am so happy to say that it goes to my good friend (I am not biased) of Desi Fiesta for Low Fat  Mango Lassi. The Lassi, glasses, neat background made the image crisp and attractive. You nailed it, below is your earned award :)

Best recipe award goes to Eat N Eat Little More for Pressurecooker cake. Now, being a blogger I fall for those recipes which are explained well, have step by step pics and are easy to follow- these all points were covered by her. Below is your certificate, hope you like it :)

Now the most awaited one- the winner of the giveaway. I selected one lucky blogger through random.org and the fortunate one is number 117-Cutchi Kitchen for Pineapple Riata. Please mail me your complete Indian postal address. Also mention what will you like to have as prize -cookware, bakeware, cook books or kitchen accessories. Please mail me within 24 hours else I will choose another winner.

Once again, thank you all for making Cook With Yellow a grand success. Hugs :) New event coming soon :-)

Event Annoucement And A Giveaway- Cook With Yellow. Think Summery

Summers are here guys!.. Summer means Yellow. I love yellow colour in the summer. The bright colour is so apt and suitable for this season. I was planning to do another event and after discussing with my husband we thought of having an event “Cook With Yellow”

Yes all you have to do is cook with yellow ingredients’.  Some of the examples of yellow food are corn, mangoes, dal, musk melon, lemon, bananas, pineapple, chickpeas etc etc. Yup! Put on your thinking caps and cook anything yellow. Here is the collection of my recipes which were cooked with yellow things-Lemon Cake, mango mousse, moong dal pancake,  mango pickle and daal tadka.

Rules for the event-

• Cook with anything yellow. Yellow ingredient must be the main one and not just used in garnishing.
• Looking for fresh entries thus try out new recipes. So, no archived posts will be entertained. Your post has to between June- August 2013.
• Multiple entries are welcome and appreciated.
• The event has to be linked back as Cook Yellow Event announced at Merry Tummy. (Compulsory)
• Usage of logo is optional but I would be happy if you could use it, as it helps spread word.
• You have to like Merry Tummy's Facebook Page and Follow Merry Tummy. (Compulsory)
• Only after your first entry, share Merry Tummy's facebook page. In the comments section tag 5 friends and say that you like Merry Tummy. Keep your this post public in Facebook so that I can see it.(Compulsory- have to do only once)
• Please use the linky tool to link your recipes below. (Mention the name of the dish you make and not your name.)
• Else Send a mail to agrawal.shweta.n@gmail.com with the subject line as Cook With Yellow  and with the following details:
• Your Name
• Recipe Name
• Blog Name
• Recipe URL (Please send the Recipe URL and not the blog URL)
• Pic of the recipe (If it is not on the blog)
• Non bloggers are most welcome to participate. Just send me the recipe details with a click of the recipe to the above mentioned email.

Giveaway- Yes there is one giveaway. I will choose one lucky person through random.org. I will then ask the winner to choose from cookware, bakeware, cook books or kitchen accessories as prize.Once again, the giveaway is open for people who can give Indian address :) There will also be certificates for best innovative recipe, best click recipe, and participation award. 

Hope you all will like the theme. Think yellow, think summery. Send in the tasty dishes ladies :)

Winner Announcement Of Recap Event :-)

As you all know that Merry Tummy turned 1 year this march and therefore I conducted an event at my blog called as One year Recap Event. I will like to thank each one of you for those lovely and encouraging comments. I read each comment and all of them are very special and motivating for me.  Choosing the winners was very difficult task for me thus, Mr. Husband helped me out and we have chosen 3 winner. So the winners are:

Priya from Yummy Foods. She has won Sanjeev Kapoor Snacks and Starters. She said-I love your eggless chocolate almond cake, it is very simple and easy to make and I love chocolate cake. I like many recipes which you have posted, I really stuck with which one to choose. The black forest cake is so perfect and mouth watering and you have explained really well. My list will keep growing, so I will stop with this for now.

Nilu of Kitchen Sernity. She will get Sanjeev Kapoor Vegetarian Cooking Around The World. She said- Congrats for your successful completion of a year.. After a complete tour of your blog and seeing the wonderful recipes you have shared with us. I feel it is very difficult to decide which to choose from.. I have even bookmarked a couple of recipes to try soon.. Be it your Lauki Kofta Ki Dahivali Curry or your French Crepes Cake Layered With Blueberry Sauce And Topped With Mango Mousse.. or your step by step garlic rolls.. All have left me craving to have some right now.. But if given a chance, the first recipe I would like to try would be your Spinach corn Bhaji as it is very healthy and full of nutrition.  Looking forward to more of your amazing recipes :-)

And last but by no means the least - Preety from Preety’s Kitchen. She has been the victor of Sanjeev Kapoor Simple Home Baking.  She said- First of all hearty congratulations on turning one , great milestone and wish you many more anniversaries celebrations in future with more giveaways offcourse..;)..I am so surprised in one year only it seems like you have more than 200 recipes on your blog...Cheers for that..Browsed your blog and i am liking all your recipes (that i have seen so far)..but if you want me to pick one favourite recipe then it will be Rajma Tikkis.Why:- i love recipes who have less ingredients, are less complicated , are healthy , crowd pleaser and can be make/prepared ahead of time..And your recipe meets all the requirements. Actually i never thought of making patties with rajma before.

The event was totally successful and I enjoyed reading back my own recipes and living the year again. One year was interesting and so good with all your love and comments. Thanks once again.

One Year Recap Event And 3 Giveways

Hello All, I am glad to bring before you another event and this time to celebrate 1 year anniversary of Merry Tummy. I am so proud that my blog turned 1 on 19^th March. I am so happy and glad to see the response, comments and love that you all have bestowed on me and Merry Tummy in this span of one year.

I planned to do a Recap Event. I will like to know your views and opinions about my recipes. This way I will also get the chance to revise the recipes and re-live those moments. The event is very easy pezy and simple; you do not have to cook, link or mail the recipes. Let me come to the rules of the event.

Since this a recap event; browse through my recipes and posts and comment below which of my recipe/dish you like the most and why. Also Like Merry Tummy on Facebook and do the same-comment which recipe/dish you like the most and why. Please be kind to Join and follow Merry Tummy. Oh yes!! Even non bloggers can participate and finally share this event to as many as you can. This event is live till May 2013.

For the giveaway I have chosen 3 books of Sanjeev Kapoor to as a token of appreciation to all my lovely readers.All of us in India know who Sanjeev Kapoor is, Sanjeev Kapoor is one among the renowned chefs in India and his show Khana Khazana was longest running cookery show in Asia. Now I am sure you all will love to possess his cookery books.  

All the 3 books are different and contain his best recipes. The recipes in the book are divided into two parts-ingredients and method of preparation for easy understanding. Here are the books-

• Sanjeev Kapoor Snacks and Starters- The book includes recipes of traditional Indian delicacies such as pav bhajis, kababs, rolls, vadas, idlis, and dhoklas, in addition to sauces and chutneys. Apart from Indian dishes, the book also gives recipes to cook many international delicacies like spring rolls, chilli tacos, and even apple and cheese toast. There are two subsections for each recipe.
• Sanjeev Kapoor Vegetarian Cooking Around The World-Chef Kapoor brings favourite dishes from Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, the Far East and America to your table. Dine on Mexican Quesadillas; Middle Eastern Fattoush; Italian Roasted Tomato Farfel, Swiss Cheese Fondue and Thai Green Curry. Wash it all down with a steaming Moroccan Mint Tea or an icy Strawberry Granita.
• Sanjeev Kapoor Simple Home Baking- This book will demystify all those baking mysteries and help you to bake a perfect batch of pastries, a beautifully risen cake or crispy and crunchy cookies. Just follow the recipes diligently and enjoy the heavenly aroma of a perfectly baked cakes, cookies or pies.

Now, on 1st of June 2013 I will choose 3 best answers/ comments as the winners. I can ship these books only in India so those who can provide an address in India are eligible for giveaway. 

Looking forward for your love and contribution.