Today I am celebrating my third year of blogging. More Than Burnt Toast has come a long way since its birth February 2nd three years ago. It started off as an avenue to record my recipes for L'il Burnt Toast who was attending university. I had visited a few blogs over the years but was drawn in through a friends daughter who had a diary blog while teaching in London and I felt I could make it work for my hobby too. My first posts had photos of places I had visited with no food photography at all. For shame. I had just returned from a 5 week sojourn in Greece and wanted to share some recipes I had learned while on Kea. A wise blogger suggested that photos might have people coming back...I was hooked. Since I began writing these pages I have discovered an entire community of generous and caring food bloggers which is continually growing!!!!!
What began as a hobby has become a full time obsession and has changed my life in many positive ways. As time goes on I have discovered more of your wonderful blogs until my Google Reader is overflowing. Unbelievably you have also found me. If I haven't found you yet feel free to comment and I am sure to visit. I’ve met some of the coolest people ever through my blog and am blessed to consider many of you my friends!
In the past year some amazing opportunities have come my way. Through blogging I met Giz, one half of the mother/daughter team at Equal Opportunity Kitchen and we created BloggerAid-Changing the Face of Famine. Over the course of a year we created a cookbook with the volunteer help of over 130 bloggers the world over who rose to the challenge to raise money for the School Meals Programme. I attended the very first BlogHer Food conference in San Francisco and on a panel of my peers had my very first speaking engagement. In November I flew down to San Francisco again and joined the Buzz at the first Foodbuzz Festival for my second visit to San Francisco and sat at a table with over 250 bloggers at my long awaited Outstanding in the Field dinner!!!!Through it all I have met many of you and enjoyed your company. What is really cool is that I continue to learn and grow on a daily basis with this little blog. I truly thank you for being a part of my life and guiding me through the exciting culinary world. I am humbled every day to wake up to new comments by you and to visit each and every one of you for innovative and fresh ideas, so thank you!
So when there is something to celebrate I want you right there by my side cheering right along with me as you always do. For our celebration I have made a cheesy pizza to share with all of you. Grab a slice and celebrate who we are with our "camera happy" and supportive ways. Use your favourite pizza dough or do as I do and purchase your dough from your local pizzeria. For our special treat I made some garlicky homemade sausage. It's as bold as the name implies. Use some of the sausage now and freeze the rest for a quick pizza later. I also added some mild cappiocoli and pepperoni for a meat lovers DREAM!!!!! This is healthy food that doesn't taste like your keyboard. Enjoy and see you tomorrow as we continue to grow together:D
Spicy Sausage Meat Lovers Pizza
** Spicy Pizza Sausage**
1 pound ground chicken
1 pound ground pork
1/2 cup dry red wine
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon fennel seeds (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 garlic cloves, crushed
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Cook sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until browned, stirring to crumble. Drain. Use as a topping for your pizza!!!!
NOTE: The sausage can be frozen in zip-top plastic bags for up to 3 months.
You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.
Happy Birthday!! Allie and I are very new to the blog world, but I can't believe how much I've already learned. And the fabulous people!! Congrats to you!
ReplyDeletexoxo Pattie
Happy 3rd year Blogiversary Val! I wish I could take a bite of that pizza right now. It looks so good!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Val, on your third blogging birthday. That's almost an eternity in blogger years. It's amazing how this journey can change our lives. I'm looking forward to all your wonderful posts that will be coming in the year ahead.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, I've learned so much, since I'm blogging,I love to bake and share the cakes with family and friens, I also meet wonderful people, keep blogging I promise I'll be here reading
ReplyDeleteCongratulations
lol
Amalia
Val, you have inspired so many people, including me, on your blogging journey so far and I am sure many great things will still come from this blog.....Happy Birthday More than burnt toast!!!
ReplyDeleteYay! Happy Birthday to your blog as well! I didn't put photos up when I started my posts either. It does make a lot of difference, doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteI love coming over and seeing what terrific and tasty dishes you've come up with each time. The pizza looks delicious and I love the fun candles!
Enjoy your day!
Happy bloganniversary dear Vall!! really I love your blog and was of my first favorites!! Thanks for all your support, and allthese georgeous recipes, love yah! gloria
ReplyDeleteGreat three years of blogging! Congratulations! (and I love gnocchi which I first ate ... in Montevideo, on the other side of the river bank, across Buenos Aires)
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogiversary! You and I started around the same time. I have my 3-year in March. I'm looking forward to many years to come of your prolific recipes!
ReplyDeleteI want that pizza now. I am a meat lover and it's calling my name.
♪Cumpleaños feliz♫ cumpleaños feliz, te deseo querida Valli♫ Cumpleaños feliz!!!! To your blog and to you... the fantastic woman behind :D.
ReplyDeleteDo you know that today is my birthday too? Are the stars telling us something? ;D
Please save a slice of delicious pizza for meeeeeeee!
Happy Birthday! I can't think of a better way to celebrate than pizza. Of course, I'm going through an "obsessed with pizza" phase right now.
ReplyDelete♪Cumpleaños feliz♫ cumpleaños feliz, te deseo querida Nuria (Chica)♫ Cumpleaños feliz!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! I have been craving pizza lately and this would fit the bill nicely.
ReplyDeletemmmmh! the pizza was wonderful! thanks for sharing it with me. Happy blogbirthday, i can't believe mine will be turning 6 already... i hope i won't forget it, like i did with my anniversary recently ;-(
ReplyDeleteWow! Happy bloggiversary times THREE. That is crazy! You have done so much in your blogging career so far and so I can only imagine how much there is in store for us in the future.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pizza. I would gladly eat a piece to celebrate.
Happy Anniversary and keep up with the great work! That pizza looks delish!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Rosa
I love celebrating with pizza! Congratulations!! :)
ReplyDeletethree years is an impressive feat, val--congrats! you've displayed many a wonderful recipe and written oodles of terrific commentaries--keep it up!
ReplyDeleteWow.....congratulations and may food continue to bring the joy it brings to so many.......Happy 3rd birthd♥y.
ReplyDeleteHappy 3rd Blogiversary!! Such a beautiful occasion! Thank you for the continued gift of your wise and uplifting words, your generous and kind heart, and your incredibly gorgeous recipes! (such as these heavenly sausages... Oh my... :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Third Blogiversary! And thank you for the pizza!
ReplyDeleteHappy blogoversary! What a sweet, sweet reason for creating this blog in the first place. I've been working on my sausage making skills, and this will fit nicely in that practice. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogiversary Val!!! Can't believe it has been that long! I am thrilled to have shared this journey with you - and have had the privilege of getting to meet you and spend time with you this year! Congrats to you for all your success!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Val. You've much to be proud of for what you do on your blog and within the community.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! Cheers to the three years! What a nice treat you gave us! Nice pizza!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on 3 years, and thanks for the pizza! Here's to many more to come :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your three year blogiversary! The sausage pizza is super delicious!
ReplyDeleteHappy 3rd blog Birthday! Keep up the excellent work Val.
ReplyDeleteLove the pizza.
Happy Anniversay, congrats on a delicious blog that combines good food with a warm person and someone I consider a friend.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Val. Three years is a major commitment in today's world of blogging where people drop out frequently. I'm so glad you continued because I really enjoy your blog.
ReplyDeleteYou and Giz have done so much to help hunger and I'm so proud for both of you. I have my cookbook and it's great. I'm pleased to be a part of it and thank you both for your hard work. I realize what a major commitment it has been. Bless you both.
Sam
Happy Blogiversary - keep up the good work. Love your blog!!
ReplyDeleteHappy bloggiversary, Val! Sausage pizza is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delicious pizza for your blog anniversary. I am so glad that we found each other. I love reading your blog and have to say that you write very well Val.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blog Anniversary!
Happy blog anniversary! Man how the time flies.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the pizza....at the risk of sounding like a bad commercial -- I can't believe it's not delivery! Looks so good.
Happy Blog birthday! Hope it was a good one.
ReplyDeleteHappy Bloggiversary Val! It's been a pleasure following your blog and it was even better meeting you in person last year...here's to many more years!
ReplyDeleteHappy blogiversary! That pizza crust looks especially perfect.
ReplyDeleteBelated Happy Blog Birthday! And many more! : )
ReplyDeleteVal, congratulations on your three-year blog birthday! It's no small accomplishment to maintain a food blog for that long. Here's to another year of wonderful recipes and explorations.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Val and here's to many more years of blogging.
ReplyDeleteNow that is my kind of birthday cake!
ReplyDelete