Which way forward…. and quinoa feta and pepper balls
My blog is officially four years old now. Four years in which my direction has changed a couple of time, the design has changed considerably from when I first came up with the idea to start a blog and my readers have gone up and down too in those past years. Four years and 514 posts. That would be an average of 3 posts per week. Not entirely bad I think. Not that it is ultimately about creating as many posts as you can but to be consistent over 4 years period is good I think. But lately I find myself struggling a little with finding the right balance between work, blogging and life. No matter how you look at it, blogging takes up a significant amount of time and although I love it, sometimes it just gets a little much.
Pretty soon I will have a little more time on my hands, as my old studio will be gone and the new one is literally from where I am sitting now, 2 meters away. It would definitely save me the hassle of moving back and forth. At the moment all my stuff is in two locations and I never know in which one the thing is that I need or want to use! So annoying… ;(
During the workshop last weekend we had a very inspirational talk by Holly Becker which in part was also about blogging and what to write. We’ve all heard the term meaningful & creative content but I think that because she approached it from a different angle then the usual, it really hit home with me. I already have a redesign of my blog planned and that is going to start next month, so that is awesome and very much needed, but in addition to that I am also thinking about my content.
And this is where I need a little of your help.
Junglefrog Cooking has always been about food, travel and photography. As those are my three main passions in life, so it makes sense to have those three here as well. The main focus is food and that is true for the photography and the travel part as well. Again, something I want to keep. No need to re-invent an entirely new blog right? (yes, yes, I know I had those moments of weakness before… Guilty as charges!)
Now my question to you is; what would you like to see changed here? Not talking about the design as that is going to be worked on, but I am talking content. Would you like to see more travel information? Would you like more photography tutorials or behind the scenes posts? I’ve made a little pol on my facebook page where you can easily add options if you want too or just click on the things you like… I really appreciate your opinion!
Now on to the recipe for today. Let me first apologize for the styling; what was I thinking picking that awful color of green, which obviously doesn’t work at all with the food. The food itself was delicious but certainly not the easiest to style. I’ll retry this one when I have a little more time. As I found out this weekend I do tend to rush things too much resulting in a less then perfect outcome when it comes to my own blog. Time is what we need! The dish was a first for me; feta & pepper quinoa balls with cucumber salad with a lemon dressing. Refreshing and healthy (it has 302 kcal per serving so not too bad for a light lunch I would think) I used lamb’s lettuce here, which I totally love with it’s little buttery leaves but you could go for rocket or any other salad that gets your fancy. Just be careful with baking the quinoa balls as they do tend to break up fairly easily.
Quinoa, feta and pepper balls
Yield: 4
Total Time: 30 min
Ingredients:
- 120g quinoa
- olive oil
- 1 small red pepper (finely chopped)
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
- 2 handfuls dill (chopped)
- 1 handful mint (chopped)
- 100g feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1 egg
- 4 tablespoons light mayonnaise
- 1 cucumber (halved, seeds scooped out and then sliced)
- 4 handfuls salad leaves
Directions:
Heat the oven to 220C/ fan 200C/ gas 7. Cook the quinoa following pack instructions then drain well.
Heat a little oil in a pan and add the pepper and pine nuts. Cook until the pepper has softened and the nuts are lightly golden.
In a bowl, mix the quinoa with the zest, 1 handful of dill, the mint, the pepper and nuts, the feta and egg. Season.
Line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Using your hands, carefully shape into balls the size of a walnut (you'll make about 30). Put on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until the tops are golden and they have firmed up.
To make the dressing, whisk the lemon juice with the mayonnaise and the other handful of dill and then season. Toss half the dressing with the cucumber.
To serve, divide the salad and cucumber between 4 plates. Add the quinoa balls (be gentle as they are quite delicate) and drizzle over the remaining lemon and dill aïoli.
Recipe by BBC Good Food
Appetizer
Asian
Bread
Breakfast
Desserts & other sweets
Healthy
I’m struggling with the same issue. I’ve had my blog for about 4 months now (I know it’s still a baby) and wonder what the purpose of it is? I started because I loved to cook and share but now it’s evolved into how many likes I have on FB and how many comments I get. It takes so much time and effort to blog and it feels deflating when I have a give away and only 7 people are participating. I am thankful for my 7 participants but what is it really for? Why does this make me sad? I know these are different set of problems but I can relate with you. Any suggestions?
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 11th, 2012 at 21:30
O Sarah, don’t feel sad. Trust me 7 comments is a lot in only 4 months!! I don’t think I got many comments in the beginning and I hadn’t figured out the whole Facebook thing. I have learned that stats are just that; stats… Dry boring numbers. Yes I check tem too from time to time but I Ty not o think about it. I blog because I love it and I think ultimately that is what counts. Your blog is still so young that it will take a while to settle and get known but you’re certainly doing great!!
[Reply]
Sarah — July 11th, 2012 at 21:51
Thanks for the kind words and the encouragement. I’m such an analytical person I focus on numbers by nature and I guess I take the stats too seriously. You are right. I blog because I love to cook and share. That is what is most important.
Congrats and happy blogiversary!!! I love all of your posts, I say just post what you feel like at the time and everything else falls into place
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 11th, 2012 at 21:31
Lol.. Will do that Jenn. Thanks!
[Reply]
Four years of blogging is an amazing accomplishment, congratulations. I’m excited to see what changes are coming. For me personally I would love to see more of your behind-the-scenes posts, I love them and find them very inspiring and helpful.
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 11th, 2012 at 21:31
Thanks o much Sue! There is one coming up real soon!
[Reply]
Congrats Simone! 4 years is a big deal! I would like to see more tutorials because you are a great photographer and I would like to learn more from you. A good tutorial is hard to find so this is what I could need. And yes, please show us recipes with gorgeous pictures.
Warmly, Sandy
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 11th, 2012 at 21:51
Thanks so much Sandy. I think there will be more tutorials coming up as a lot of people told me they would like to see more of that and more behind the scenes too..
[Reply]
I am also struggling with my blog. Time flies so fast and blogging is time-consuming…
I love your blog as it is. Of course, travelling information and behind-the-scenes post as well as tutorials would be great!
Congrats on the 4 years and to many more!!!
Cheers,
Rosa
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 12th, 2012 at 12:04
It is definitely time consuming but it is so rewarding too. And I love your blog Rosa. You know I d..
[Reply]
I personally like your blogs as is and agree with Jenn, post what feels right at the moment and everything else will fall into place.
Congrats on your 4th blogging anniversary.
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 12th, 2012 at 12:04
Thanks Norma!
[Reply]
Congratulations for your blogversary dear friend!
We are almost twins eheh
Perhaps Gizmo could hand you a paw to help 
Blogging does take up time… I have calculated that each of my posts take me between 5 and 8 hours to get ready, that is also why I post once a week or so ;p
Inspiration is hard to come by lately but I agree with Jenn; if it has to be your blog, you need to be spontaneous with the topics
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 12th, 2012 at 12:06
Haha… It seems a lot of blogs are 4 years old or it could be all the ones I have been following since I started. haha… Yeah it does take up a lot of time but that’s ok. As long as I love doing it (and I do) it is fine to spend so much time on it! I’ll ask Gizmo if she wants to jump in every now and then!
[Reply]
First and foremost – congratulations! Four years – a terrific achievement. As far as suggestions go I am not going to be much help – my strong feeling is that you should continue ‘to do your own thing’. The content thus may vary as your interest foci and moods vary. I firmly believe those interested in your blog would read, learn and follow! As far as time goes [soft laugh]: I don’t have my own blog for a variety of logical reasons, but, besides work, study and that something called ‘life outside blogging’, I manage to dip my toe into about 40-odd blogs! Yes, even THAT takes time. Yet is quite addictive . . . Good luck for the future anyways!
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 12th, 2012 at 12:06
I guess you are right. Ultimately this blog is about me so I guess it makes sense that it should be my own thing too! O you should try starting your own blog! it’s fantastic!
[Reply]
Dear Simone,
follow your bliss and we will follow you. Whatever redesign that suites you for this time and space in your life is intriguing. From recipes, food, tutorial and travels ultimately is is all about what you want to say and show us. Your talent and passion speaks volumes.
Best for the next generation Junglefrog — Robin
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 12th, 2012 at 12:07
Thanks so much Robin! You’re right ofcourse…
[Reply]
congrats on the 4 years!!!
I love your blog as it is really, great pictures, great content!
Keep up the good work Simone!
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 12th, 2012 at 12:07
Thanks Regula!
[Reply]
Congratulations, four years is a serious milestone! I think that whatever you’re most passionate about in the moment always makes for the best posts, but I do enjoy the recipes and photography especially
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 13th, 2012 at 00:39
Thanks so much Hannah!
[Reply]
Congrats, wow! 4 years! I’m just beginning with my not-even-1-year then;)
I don’t have any suggestions. I love the way it is and the variety of posts and recipes. So please just continue in the way you feel is right:)
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 13th, 2012 at 00:34
O you’re only blogging for a year and look where it got you! I spotted you in foodie crush this month..
Congratulations!
[Reply]
Simone,
My blog is going to be 3 year old this October. It made me few great friends, some anonymous readers who willing try my recipes and let me. Tell you honest, still now I didn’t count or celebrated number of post. ( like 100th, 200th so on). It helps me to learn lot cuisine which will not be possible to try if I am going to every restaurant with two little helps. As you mentioned comments are statistics. But some time there genuine comments also hiding there. I love that part.
I would like to see more behind camera sections, as it helps to improve photographic skill.
[Reply]
Swathi — July 12th, 2012 at 18:24
two little ones.
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 13th, 2012 at 00:39
O yes! I didn’t mean to say that comments are not important. I LOVE reading all the comments, but I don’t (or try not to) count the number of comments… it’s about content and not about the numbers..
Blogging has definitely brought me so many new friends that I wouldn’t miss it for the world!
Van harte gefeliciteerd met je blog-verjaardag!!
As you know I am a very fresh reader of your blog. And from what I have seen/read till now it is the “travel” category, the “Photography” and the “Behind the scenes” category which immediately have attracted me to dive deeper into your older posts! I like those travel stories, especially connected with food and it does not matter if it is just for personal day-dreaming
or as inspiration to visit the same places someday, too.
Actually for a NewbyReader it is a little tricky to get an easy overview about all the different categories you already filled with life. Therefore I do not know if you have also posts in which it is just going about showing photos without many writing. I definitely would enjoy it just to see more of you work as I just love it what I have seen till now! This would be then like going to a gallery
And on the other hand I am also curious to read about your news having to do somehow with food photography: it could be your experiences with certain products (as well photo as cook equipment), with magazines and books ( again as well cook books as photobooks) or whatever you talk about with other people sharing same passions 
Cheers, your new reader Eva
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 13th, 2012 at 00:37
Thanks so much Eva! You’re so very right too as it is a little bit messy at the moment which is why I am having the whole blog redesigned. i think I might have to take a good hard look at all the different categories out there too as it is a bit much at the moment and yes, probably hard to find. i don’t have a gallery at the moment but you could always visit my portfolio website..
But I could do something like that. I have been thinking about it actually so I might!
Thanks for all the tips and love having you as a new reader!
[Reply]
I think I have been with you on and off for the four years. The last 18 months I was hardly on my site and not on anyone else’s… but I like these three focus points on your site. I am in the exact same position – though thought you were around much longer than I as I started at the end of August 2008. And my platform was a dud – so it was really a year later anyone found me.
So… I am also revamping and rethinking and refocusing. My site is with the web developer as we speak and I aill be “coming out” August 1 – we hope… maybe August 15… but the tag line is huge. I need one.
I think you are clear about what you do and have enough variety to keep readers interested and your photography and experiences are very interesting. The only thing I am missing is a more personal perspective. I know about your love of cats, and many of your personal travels…. but maybe more personal stories through your traditional family foods? Maybe you have been doing that, but I followed for 2 years a year and a half ago pretty much daily… so, not sure.
Other than that, brilliant, or I would not be here.
XO
Valerie
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 13th, 2012 at 08:26
Valerie! Seriously.. I thought your blog was much older then mine! Never realized that they are virtually the same age… Haha.. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments. It’s not a bad idea to make it a little more personal the only problem is that I don’t have any childhood food memories since well, my mum hated cooking. Haha. So not much to share there or maybe there is. Hmmm, gotta think about that.
[Reply]
Congratulations and Happy Blogiversary, dear Simone! 4 years !! What an achievement…knock on wood. I’ve been in total awe and in love with your blogs ever since I got here the first time. Like everyone mentions, to have more tutorials and travel photography would be so , so , so awesome!
I started out blogging on food to learn food photography. Since, I recently got to know the food related allergies I have, blogging has found a new meaning – the one that allows me to explore and learn photography and ingredients that I can live with and without.
I cannot thank you enough for your kind words and the constant encouragement you provide newbies like I. You totally rock with all that you do. Hugs!
Congratulations again, dear Simone. Way to go!!
Best,
Sihi
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 13th, 2012 at 08:29
O thanks so much Sihi…:) you’re too sweet!
[Reply]
Simone, I remember we “met” on Flickr and then you started blogging. I’m so happy to have known you all this time and most of all I’m glad for the things you create. The recipes, stories (oh! that nursing one still cracks me up!) blogs, pics…they’re all wonderful. I’d be happy to follow you in any direction you choose to take!
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 13th, 2012 at 09:56
Thanks so much Peter. God, that’s true… we ‘met’ on Flickr…!
It’s been so long ago and yes I am so happy to follow you too for all those years!
[Reply]
Happy 4-year Blogiversary, Simone! I could not afree more with everything you said in the first paragraph. It can take me up to 8 or more hours just to get a post up ‘after;’ cooking and photographing the food. It IS a lot of work! That said…I think your blog is perfect as is, so I can’t think of anything that else that would top that. However, if you feel something, just roll with it, and I have no doubt it will be amazing. These feta, quinoa pepper balls look delicious, and I don’t think the green looks bad at all. Then again, I don’t have the photography and styling eye you do!
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 13th, 2012 at 09:57
Thanks so much Lisa. Yes blogging is pretty time consuming although I wouldn’t miss it for the world. If I think about all the things that have happened to me since I started blogging, all the fantastic people I met online and some even in real life, I wouldn’t change a thing!
[Reply]
You know I do not even remember when or how we met. It’s just been so great that we have and I feel like I know you for most of my life! Happy 4 year anniversary! I love what you do here Simone – like Robin said follow your bliss. A nice mix of things is great but do not loose the focus on food – you are a foodie after all!
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 14th, 2012 at 06:59
O it will always be about food mainly… That’s just a given…
I can’t remember how we ‘met’ either but I’m also incredibly glad that we did!
[Reply]
This is my first time visiting your blog and I love your photos. Congrats on 4 years!! I have the same struggles and I think everyone has them. I think if you continually go back to the reason why you started blogging, it helps you to see clearly your direction and where you want to go.
[Reply]
Simone (junglefrog) — July 14th, 2012 at 07:01
Welcome Julie! Glad you visited my blog. I have to confess that when I started blogging I seriously had no idea what I wanted to blog about! Haha. I just started with a whole different concept but within a couple of posts it naturally moved to food!
[Reply]
I love this website! I have just come across it. Made with love, the pictures the recipes and the cats ( having 3 cats ourselves I love the pictures and want to cuddle them!)
Well done. And thank you for the recipes that are improving our cooling skills and dinners
[Reply]