Friday, May 11, 2012

One Year Anniversary and a Giveaway!!!

Update (5/20/12): Congratultions RachelWM! Random.org chose you as the winner of the Baked Explorations Cookbook! I'll be emailing you to get your mailing address, and you'll have four days to respond!

One year ago today, I published my first post on Making Michael Pollan Proud. Now here we are, one year and 130 posts later.


It's been an interesting year. There have been explosions and meals that were far too ambitious (yes, those were all made for one night). I've joined baking groups only to realize that the "make this and post about it on this date" thing doesn't really fit into my schedule.

I've consumed more chocolate and peanut butter than I knew was possible.

And today, one year in, I'm ready to try something new. A cookbook giveaway!

I want to share with you a cookbook I'm just crazy about that I received a year ago.

Baked Explorations


It's a cookbook that really introduced me to the whole blogging community, full of bake-along groups, local bake shops, and innovative twists on favorite recipes. It's sparked all of these recipes on my blog, including the cookies I brought to the Food Bloggers Bake Sale a few weeks back.

You can win your own copy! No, not my copy. A new, clean one that's not covered in flour and butter and post-it notes. Or, win a copy for a lucky friend if you already have one!

Here's how to enter:

1) Leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite cookbook is and why! Make sure you leave your email address (it will be kept private!), or make sure I have some other way to contact you (through your blog, etc.).

2) For an additional chance to enter, follow me on Pinterest, and leave a comment here letting me know you are following me!

I'll ship the cookbook anywhere, but if you're far away it might take awhile to get to you! This giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. on May 18, 2012, so make sure to get your entries in before then! The winner will be chosen via random.org. I'll contact the winner on May 19, and they will have 4 days to respond with a shipping address. If there's no response, a new winner will be chosen and contacted.

118 comments:

  1. my current fave is the Pioneer Woman's new cookbook

    ReplyDelete
  2. Baking by Dorie Greenspan....everything I've done out of there has been fantastic, and it's my go-to for when I want to try something new :-)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations on your one-year anniversary! How exciting!
    My current favorite seems to be Flour by Joanne Chang, but I think my all time favorite still has to be the original Silver Palate Cookbook by Sheila Lukins and Julee Rosso. My copy definitely shows its use!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Aww yay! Happy bloggiversary gorgeous!!

    I'm so glad we found each other through blogging. :)

    I already have this cookbook so count me out but my favorite cookbook right now is Super Natural Every Day. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy bloggiversary!!

    I have hundreds of cookbooks-way too many to name only one favorite! But I love getting new cookbooks – I read them like novels. Love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the Heart of the Home books by Susan Branch. The recipes are great and the drawings are just wonderful. Homespun advise. They are the books that started me off on my love of baking and cookbooks.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congratulations! What a wonderful way to celebrate your blog! I like the classic cookbook that my mom taught me to cook from: The Joy of Cooking. Whenever I have a question about how to do something basic I can always look there... or call my mom.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congrats, Katie! How exciting! :) Hm...such a hard question. BBA because it taught me tobake bread....or maybe ABED because it's mymost-used bread book.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Awww what a sweet post!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy Anniversary! My fave book is 1001 muffins, biscuits, donuts, pancakes, waffles & other quick breads by Gregg R. Gillespie

    ReplyDelete
  11. My very old Betty Crocker

    droopydog63 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congrats on your year blog! Mark Bittman's "How to Cook Everything" or "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian" are equally as good. Why? They are an encyclopedia of "how do I cook that?" Or "what do I do with this?"

    ReplyDelete
  13. My first love is 'The Gold Cook Book' by Louis Pullig De Gouy. It was my mother's book and I learned everything I know from her and as we affectionately called him 'Louis'. Lately I also like 'The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious - and Perplexing - City' by David Lebovitz a lot too.

    Happy anniversary!

    margueritecore [at] gmail [dot] com

    AnnaZed on GFC

    ReplyDelete
  14. My favorite cookbook that I have is The Homestyle Amish Kitchen Cookbook. It has some really great recipes (using simple, basic ingredients).

    thecountryblossom at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. My favorite is the Pioneer Womans cookbooks
    sunniewoodyplus2 atmsn.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. My favorite cookbook is probably I Can't Believe It's Vegan—and I'm not even vegan! But the authors had a restaurant and when it closed they collected all their restaurant recipes in the book and they are so good! Thanks for a chance to win. hostess {at} host-itnotes.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Happy one year anniversary!!!
    My favorite cook book is "Joy the Baker"
    By: Joy the Baker!
    Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  18. My favorite cookbook is a looseleaf cookbook that was published by our local newspaper in the early 70s. It's great because it includes recipes for vegetables and fruits that are available locally. It also is a good source to turn to when I don't know where else to look. (Now wasn't there an article on drying flowers? or how hot should the oven be? )
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I have a family cookbook that I love the most. It has easy, quick and healthy recipes. My kids love it too!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love my old Betty Crocker cookbook my Mom bought me over 30 years ago!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Following you on Pinterest

    rjwhiggins@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love Heidi Swanson's cookbooks!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Also, following you on pinterest

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love all my cookbooks equal. ;)
    eyeluvbutterflies@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. One of my favorite cookbooks is from the restaraunt Nobu. I love looking at the beautiful pictures and I love Japanese food.

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  26. suebunting1977@gmail.com my favorite cookbook is Better Homes and Garden Cookbook the 1976 edition, it's my go to cookbook for everything!

    ReplyDelete
  27. suebunting1977@gmail.com Sue Bunting following all your boards on Pinterest

    ReplyDelete
  28. My current favourite is "Bite Me" - lots of pictures, and everything turns out. Fabulous blueberry pie!

    ReplyDelete
  29. My favorite Cookbook is the on I got though the mail a long time a go called My First Cookbook. Still have it after all this time.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I have two: one was put together by a ladies church group, the other by our girl scout council (all their favorite recipes). I have had these over 25 yrs & use them regularly.
    mrspoofa(at)aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. My current favorite cookbook is by MasterChef Australia 2011 winner, Kate Bracks, called The Sweet Life. She loves baking sweets (just like me!) and the whole book is full of sweet stuff to make! I don't have Baked Explorations, but have heard so much about it and how great it is - I'd love to have a copy of my own! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Woops, sorry, I meant to choose to leave my name/url instead of anonymous! My email is sweetestkitchen [at] gmail.com. AND, I've followed you on Pinterest as well! :)

      Delete
  32. My fav cookbook of all time, if I could only have one cookbook it would be this one, is ~ The Passionate Vegetarian, by Crescent Dragonwagon. Over 1,000 recipes & almost a story for everyone. Just great!

    :) Following you on Pinterest, too. Come over to my blog & check it out. My recipe for these breakfast cookies has been getting a lot of hits from my Pinterest page :) http://watching-what-i-eat.blogspot.com/2012/04/banana-oat-breakfast-cookies.html

    ReplyDelete
  33. I like The Joy of Cooking because it has everything!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I use The Joy of Cooking all the time! It taught me how to make all the fantastic breads I always bake.

    ReplyDelete
  35. i use a better homes and garden cookbook all the time. not sure when it was published but it's a classic
    gkuroda(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. following you on pinterest
    gkuroda(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. My Favorite these days is "new modern greek." Recipes are flavorful and unique

    rugerpuppies at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I don't have a favourite cookbook, because I can't cook, but I would love to win this for a friend! dusica18@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. My favorite cookbook is a Jewish cookbook called SPice and Spirit.

    tamarsweeps at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  40. My favorite cook book is Paula Deans just keep adding butter lol

    ReplyDelete
  41. i don't have any cookbooks yet! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

    ReplyDelete
  42. My favorite cookbook is the one that my Aunty made for me filled with all of her best recipes. She is by far one of the best cooks that I know and I was so thrilled to receive all of her secrets!

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  43. I follow you on Pinterest! (same name)

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  44. My favorite cookbook is "I Can't Believe It's Not Fattening" by Devin Alexander. She was the chef on "The Biggest Loser." She also had a TV show called "Healthy Decadence." I don't think it lasted too long though.*sad face* This cookbook is great! Excellent healthy recipes. I really love the Mexican Mac n' Cheese. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Follow you on Pinterest. Kristie Donelson. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  46. The Betty Crocker cookbook is my all time favorite. It contains so many of the recipes I have loved since childhood, and I am always uncovering new favorites and standbys.

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  47. following you on Pinterest as Marija Majerle

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. My favorite cookbook is a home-made one that my mother made for me of all of her recipes. It is wonderful.

    LauraAdams67@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. My favorite is Pioneer Woman's first cookbook. I love all of her tried and true recipes. They are ALWAYS delicious!

    aniwilsonintx at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Following you on pinterest as Ani Wilson

    aniwilsonintx at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I love my old school pta cookbook. Grew up eating those ladies foods so always trust the recipes there
    vmkids3 at msn dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I have 2 favorite cook books the one my aunt made me since I was little any food of hers I ever said I liked she put it in a cook book for me and when I moved out it was my house warming gift!! I love it :) My other favorite is a kids cook book and shows you how to make neat things for your kids out of every day meals. The other day we did a 'snake' sub, and once we did a broccoli 'forest'

    savannahm1987@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I follow pinterest http://pinterest.com/savannahm1987/


    savannahm1987@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I like The Pioneer Woman's cookbooks.

    katja9_10 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. 1. How did you get the strawberries to stand up like that?!
    2. Magnolia Bakery Cookbook. My mother gave me the first one after I visited NY for the first time and I baked through it from beginning to end. The ingredients are simple but few, and it teaches about the science of baking without overwhelming the reader with facts and tips.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I love betty crocker. It's a classic. eclairre(at)ymail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  57. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  58. My favorite cookbook is American's test kitchen family cookbook...It has lots of recipes with great tips..everything I cook from there tastes amazing.

    sweeps785(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I follow you on pinterest (bell martin)

    sweeps785(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. My favorite cook book is anything by Paula Deen. abailey_crace@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. one that says everything potatoes
    ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I love the Taste of Home recipe books - love the pictures
    hrddiana556@Gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. my favorite cookbook is THE INTERNET! I find the best recipes on it. This recipe book looks so pretty! Would love it!

    ReplyDelete
  64. i dont have a favprite cook book i usually find recipes ont he internet try them out and if we like them they get written into my cook book!

    mrsnaweiss/at/aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. following on pinterest

    mrsnaweiss/at/aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. My grandma gave me some old cookbooks with classic Amish recipes in them. They're amazing! I don't think you can go wrong with that kind of comfort food.

    ReplyDelete
  67. I'm following you now on Pinterest!

    ReplyDelete
  68. My favorite cook book is the Lion House Light cook book. I have had it for 15 years and still use it.
    krazekatlady at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  69. I honestly dont own a normal cookbook, i do have a book that my mom had made me with her recipes in it and that's mostly what i use when i want to try and cook something good. I am not the best baker or chef lol.. Would love to win this book though and really try to make some wonderful things for my kids. Conrats to you also.
    lasherjodi@yahoo.com
    jodi lasher

    ReplyDelete
  70. I am a pintrest follower
    jodilasher
    lasherjodi@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  71. My favorite cookbook is the Better Homes and Gardens classic one. It's beat up and used, but still my favorite.

    canastaxyz@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  72. My favorite cookbook is Gracious Goodness: The Taste of Memphis put out by the Memphis Symphony League. My family is from Memphis so it has a lot of regional favorites along with a lot of cool photos and history about famous Memphis landmarks and restaurants and recipes that were served there and in the homes of famous families; very interesting. It was my Grandmother's book and I got it when she passed away and I have found a few of her "secret recipes" in it! I love it and refer to it often.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    hstorm799{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I follow you on pinterest Gale Nelson
    my favorite cookbook is not one that is published but one my mom kept for years and I received it after she passed away. I love this book because it has all of her best recipes and I wouldn't take anything for it. Thanks for the giveaway. gale pgan427@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  74. My most-used cookbook is "The Stocked Kitchen."

    trixie420247 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  75. following you on pinterest as tina wofford page
    trixie420247 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I really love our cookbook from church but my other one I like is rachael ray 2 4 6 8 recipes. I like it because there is different sections depending on how many guests you are having and what would be good to serve.
    b_burmester@hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  77. My favorite cookbook is one that I got years ago from our town church. It has everyone's family recipes in it. LOVE it! cribcoutureatyahoodotcom

    ReplyDelete
  78. My favorite cookbook is a basic one, The Joy of Cooking.

    ReplyDelete
  79. My favorite cookbook is one by justin wilson!
    onecheaplady@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  80. Betty Crockers. I love the pumpkin cookies:)
    Thanks
    katelyn4him@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  81. I love my Betty Crocker cookbook. It has everything in it and is a go-to reference for me on basics that I haven't learned yet!
    hzapolski(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  82. I follow you on pinterest!
    hzapolski(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  83. love Chez Panisse Vegetables - so easy and so yummy

    ReplyDelete
  84. my favorite cookbook would have to be my betty crocker ones they have such a variety of recipes and easy to understand and colorful pitures to go with just love it


    greeneyesamytolley@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  85. and i followed all on pin my pin name is Amy Tolley thanks

    greeneyesamytolley@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  86. I love my betty crocker!

    couponaddic@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  87. Danielle WilliamsMay 18, 2012 at 5:41 PM

    I would have to say Joy of Cooking an oldie but goodie!!!

    ssromans828@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  88. My favorite cookbook is a Betty Crocker that belonged to my grandmother.

    noodlefishflower (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  89. Danielle WilliamsMay 18, 2012 at 5:43 PM

    I follow you on Pintrest under Danielle

    ssromans828@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  90. Following you on Pinterest as Rebecca Wood.
    noodlefishflower (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  91. I have a family cookbook!


    freebiegoddess03@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  92. I love Miette, by Meg Ray. It is a gorgeous little baking book my husband bought me with french style recipes including Macaron's but with a modern twist and some American versions. It is gorgeous and inspirational!
    mmjohnson555@gmail.com
    GFC:Mechele Johnson

    ReplyDelete
  93. I follow on Pinterest as Mechele JOhnson.
    mmjohnson555@gmail.com
    GFC:mechele johnson

    ReplyDelete
  94. My favorite cookbook is The Weight Watchers Complete Cookbook
    angel320@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  95. My favorite lately is Super Natural Everday. Just aobut everything I've tried is tasty. My goal is to try all the recipes. Since I started making Heidi's dishes for my family my two sisters and one brother have purchased the book. Thank you Katie.

    mom

    ReplyDelete
  96. Clem! My favorite genre if cookbook is volunteer compelation cookbooks! Particularly my 3rd grade class chocolate cookbook with everyone's favorite chocolate recipe!! I'll make you a copy and send it your way!! Congrats on your one year!!

    ReplyDelete
  97. I love my Paula Deen cookbook!

    Maggie Ann True Armstrong
    maggie at pdclarion dot com

    ReplyDelete
  98. I follow you on Pinterest!

    My pinterest is www.pinterest.com/lifesavin

    ReplyDelete
  99. Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World. It was my savior during law school with all the stress. And now it's my go-to for awesome cupcakes people can't tell are vegan. I already follow you on Pinterest!

    ReplyDelete
  100. I have a child's cookbook from Handstand Kids. It lists recipes from around the world. The kids love it. Thank you

    candieluster(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  101. Congrats! My favorite cook book is one that my high school put together as a fundraiser. I have found so many great recipes that have become family favorites. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  102. Follow on pinterest
    Debbie Petiot
    Email in profile

    ReplyDelete
  103. My favorite cookbook is The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl - Ree is so down to earth and I love the step-by-step pictures!
    Jennifer
    draoi7383 @ yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  104. Following you on Pinterest - Jennifer Metz
    draoi7383 @ yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  105. Real Simple because it offers pure and organic options for a clean system!

    askandilltell86@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  106. follow on pinterest as frugalwahms

    ReplyDelete
  107. My favorite cookbook is one my mom made for me.

    ReplyDelete
  108. My Betty Crocker cookbook because I have used it the longest.
    donna444444@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  109. I follow you on pinterest.(donnak4)
    donna444444@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  110. My favorite cookbook is Better Homes and Gardens' cookbook. But for baking I would have to say Allrecipes.

    ReplyDelete
  111. "hello cupcake" because it uses yummy decorations instead of just fondant
    Jadavis42@students.tntech.edu

    ReplyDelete