The Cooking Actress' 5th Blogiversary!

Um...you guys. Today marks this blog's 5TH BIRTHDAY! Can you believe it?? I can't! SO MUCH has happened in these past 5 years and I've learned so incredibly much and met some of the most amazing people (and had some of the most amazing opportunities and experiences)! I cannot thank all of you enough for taking this journey with me--whether you're a brand new reader or one who has been with me from the beginning.

THANK YOU!

And, for such a momentous anniversary, I thought I'd share a list of 5's encompassing these past 5 years. Enjoy!

5 favorite entree recipes

1. Turkey Spinach Provolone Pastry
2. Just Chicken Pot Pie
3. Homemade Cheddar Pierogi {with Caramelized Onions}
4. French Dip Sandwiches
5. Garlic Parmesan Chicken Lasagna

5 favorite cookie recipes 

1. Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Cookies
2. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls
3. Exceptional Chocolate Chip Cookies
4. Brown Butter Chocolate Stuffed Toffee Chip Cookies
5. THE Levain Chocolate Chip Cookie Copycat Recipe

5 favorite brownie recipes

1. The Baked Brownie
2. S'mores Brownies
3. Ultimate Fudge Brownies with Toasted Pecans
4. Super Chocolate Oreo Crunch Brownies
5. Ooey Gooey Heavenly Brownies

5 favorite cake recipes

1. Chocolate Decadence
2. Buckeye Cake
3. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
4. Melting Chocolate Cakes
5. Mini Raspberry Swirl Cheesecakes

5 favorite candies

1. Salted Browned Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles
2. {Easy} Salted Praline Pecan Clusters
3. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Pecan Truffles
4. Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles
5. Dark Chocolate Truffles

5 favorite ice cream recipes

1. Dark Chocolate and Peanut Butter Ice Cream
2. Peanut Butter Butterfinger Ice Cream {No Cook, Egg-free}
3. Strawberries & Cream Chocolate Chip Ice Cream {Easy, No Cook, Egg-free}
4. Coffee Chocolate Chip Ice Cream {No Cook, Egg-free}
5. No Churn, 2+ Ingredient Ice Cream

5 favorite pie/tart recipes

1. Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
2. Dark Chocolate Dreams Icebox Pie
3. Peanut Butter Cream Pie
4. Salted Caramel Pecan Pie
5. Fresh Strawberry Pie

5 favorite misc. dessert recipes

1. Cream Puffs (from scratch)
2. Cookie Dough S'mores-3 Ways
3. Caramel Corn
4. Deep Dish S'more
5. Chocolate Covered Potato Chips with Salted Caramel Drizzle

5 favorite breakfast recipes

1. Crisp and Fluffy Whole Wheat Waffles 
2. Puff Pastry Chocolate Croissants
3. Skillet Breakfast Potatoes
4. Pecan Sticky Buns
5. Over EASY Eggs

5 favorite appetizer recipes

1. Black Bean Pico de Gallo
2. Cheesy Chicken and Potato Chowder
3. Pan Fried Zucchini
4. Roasted Garlic Brown Butter Hummus
5. Lightened Up Spinach Artichoke Dip

5 favorite side dish/snack recipes

1. Crispy Baked Onion Rings
2. Baked Cheddar and Scallion Mashed Potatoes
3. Roasted Garlic Parmesan Tater Tots
4. Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt Bars {KIND Bars Copy Cat}
5. Homemade Cheddar Cheese Crackers (Cheez-Its)

5 favorite "original" recipes

1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Nutty Granola
2. Mom's Pot Roast
3. Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Cups
4. Sicilian "Enchiladas"
5. Toasted Ricotta Gnocchi with Parmesan Truffle Cream Sauce

5 recipes I'm most proud of/best basics

1. Neapolitan Pizza Crust
2. Whole Wheat Puff Pastry
3. Homemade Flour Tortillas
4. Perfect All-Butter Pie Crust
5. Multi-Nut Butter

5 favorite bread recipes

1. Easy Whole Wheat Hoagie Rolls
2. Fluffy, Buttery, Rolls (Texas Roadhouse Copy Cat)
3. Cheddar Biscuits
4. Ciabatta Bread with Morel & Leek Jack Cheese
5. Extra Flaky Biscuits

5 favorite "life" posts

1. New York, New York...a look back
2. Wedding Prep, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Portraits, & Wedding Reception
3. Finally!
4. Honeymoon Recap {at Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun in Riviera Maya}
5. What I've Learned About Wedding Planning (So Far)

5 most popular posts

1. Momofuku's Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
2. The New York Times Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
3. Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole
4. Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
5. Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

5 biggest life changes

1. Started a food blog (duh).
2. Michael moved to NY for me.
3. Then him and I moved back to Ohio together.
4. Got married.
5. Became a wedding planner!

5 biggest lessons learned

1. Family often comes to mean a lot more as you get older.
2. It's ok to change dreams.
3. Once you have really good food...it's hard to settle for mediocre.
4. Don't put too much pressure on yourself...but also...put some pressure on yourself.
5. Things work out the way they're supposed to--it may not be according to plan, and it might not always be good, but things have a way of working out and sometimes you find yourself loving something you never would have dreamed of (this references both the blog, wedding planning, and Michael :P)

THANK YOU FOR MAKING THESE 5 YEARS AMAZING! 

The Cooking Actress' 4 Year Blogiversary Mega GIVEAWAY (Closed)+ Reader Survey!

OH. MY. GOSH!! Today is The Cooking Actress' 4 year birthday! Where did the time go? 

4 years ago I was just throwing something onto the internet. 

3 years ago I shared a delicious Buckeye Cake and was already starting to put a semi-amount of effort into food photography.

2 years ago I'd started Something Saturdays and was sharing how far I'd come.

1 year ago, as I prepared to move to Ohio, I rounded up every original recipe on this blog. And we've made even more deliciousness since then!

So, first of all, I want to say: THANK YOU. Thank you for reading. Thank you for giving me a new piece of my identity that I love. Thank you for helping me grow and make delicious food. Thank you for giving me a way to meet wonderful new friends. Thank you for reading my silly ramblings and still coming back for me. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! It's because of all of you that I'll, hopefully, have many more blogiversaries to come!

Now, about you: some of you I know. Some of you I don't. And I'd like to change that! I want YOU to have a voice on this blog. I want to know what you like, what you don't like. What could be changed, what you'd like to see next, etc. SO-I created a little survey. I would completely love it if you would take the time to fill it out and help me make this blog the best it can be!

Click here to take The Cooking Actress' 1st Reader Survey!

Oh yeah AND--as a thank you for taking the survey and being a reader--I'm giving 3 of you a bunch of cool stuff! Read on:

A bit about the items up for grabs in the mega giveaway:

Nielsen-Massey

Vanilla can be transcendent, and Nielsen-Massey (now available at Willliams-Sonoma!) makes that sort of product. They have been crafting the finest vanillas and flavors since 1907 and their quality is unparalleled (which is why they're preferred by home cooks and professional bakers and restaurants alike!)  You can find more stores near you that carry Nielsen-Massey here.

Waffle Pantry

Waffle Pantry is made up by a small team devoted to bringing high-quality Liege waffle ingredients and tools to bakers. They offer 100% authentic imported Belgian pearl sugar (vegan and vegetarian friendly!), derived from beet sugar. You may remember my love for liege waffles and pearl sugar is a MUST if you want to enjoy them! For more recipes that use pearl sugar and tips and tricks check out their blog!

Peanut Butter & Co

PB & Co and I have partnered up on multiple occasions (since 2012!) so OF COURSE they had to be included in this giveaway! Peanut Butter & Co has a delicious sandwich shop in NYC (which is where I fell in looove with them!) but they are so much more! They make 10 delicious varieties of all natural peanut butter (as well as a bunch of extras-things that go with peanut butter, etc.) that are available in tons of stores (you can find them near you at this link) and also can be purchased online! 

Golden Girl Granola

You may remember that I reviewed Golden Girl Granola a couple weeks ago. This granola is hand- made in small batches in Massachusetts, it's whole grain, wheat-free (and is produced in a gluten-   free kitchen), is non-GMO, and uses the finest, all-natural ingredients. And--it's TASTY! Click here to learn which stores carry Golden Girl Granola!

Star Fine Foods

I've had a relationship with Star Fine Foods for awhile and I am so excited that they jumped on board for this giveaway! Started in 1898, Star carries olive oils, vinegars, balsamics, olives, capers, vinegars, peppers, and more! They're also now the #1 selling brand of olive oil, wine vinegar and Spanish green olives in retail grocery stores in the Western United States and growing in distribution in the rest of the US. If you can't find them in your store--don't worry! You can shop online!

Uniquely Greek

A couple years ago I came clean about my Uniquely Greek addiction. Uniquely Greek Feta Cheese Spreads are made from a unique blend of domestic feta cheese, garlic, and cream cheese infused with fresh produce. They can be used in sauces, as a spread, etc. but my fave thing is to just dip some crackers in and eat to my heart's content! Learn where you can find it by checking out their store locator!

GIVEAWAY!

(CLOSED)

To celebrate my blog anniversary I am hosting this amazing giveaway and there will be THREE WINNERS! You could win one of these 3 amazinggg prize packages (each of which is over a $70 value!):

1. (One) 1 lb. bag of Waffle Pantry Belgian Pearl Sugar with bowl scraper
   (One) 16 oz. jar of Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams
   (One) 16 oz. jar of Peanut Butter & Co. The Bee's Knees
   (One) 16 oz. jar of Peanut Butter & Co. Smooth Operator
   (Two) 14 oz. bags (in your choice of varieties) of Golden Girl Granola
   (One) 8.45 oz. bottle of Star Fine Food's Balsamic Vinegar of Modena - Gold Edition
   (One) 17 oz. bottle of Star Fine Food's Extra Virgin Olive Oil
   (One) STAR Olive Oil & Vinegar Cruet
   (Four) 6.5 oz. containers of Uniquely Greek spreads. A combo pack of the 4 varieties (Simply Spinach, Fire-Roasted Red Pepper, Kalamata Olive, and Spicy Buffalo)
   (One) 2 oz. bottle of Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
   (One) 4 oz. bottle of Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste
   
2. (One) 1 lb. bag of Waffle Pantry Belgian Pearl Sugar with bowl scraper
   (One) 16 oz. jar of Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams
   (One) 16 oz. jar of Peanut Butter & Co. The Bee's Knees
   (One) 16 oz. jar of Peanut Butter & Co. Smooth Operator
   (Two) 14 oz. bags (in your choice of varieties) of Golden Girl Granola
   (One) 8.45 oz. bottle of Star Fine Food's Balsamic Vinegar of Modena - Gold Edition
   (One) 17 oz. bottle of Star Fine Food's Extra Virgin Olive Oil
   (One) STAR Olive Oil & Vinegar Cruet
   (Four) 6.5 oz. containers of Uniquely Greek spreads. A combo pack of the 4 varieties (Simply Spinach, Fire-Roasted Red Pepper, Kalamata Olive, and Spicy Buffalo)
   
3. (One) 1 lb. bag of Waffle Pantry Belgian Pearl Sugar with bowl scraper
   (One) 16 oz. jar of Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams
   (One) 16 oz. jar of Peanut Butter & Co. The Bee's Knees
   (One) 16 oz. jar of Peanut Butter & Co. Smooth Operator
   (Two) 14 oz. bags (in your choice of varieties) of Golden Girl Granola
   (One) 8.45 oz. bottle of Star Fine Food's Balsamic Vinegar of Modena - Gold Edition
   (One) 17 oz. bottle of Star Fine Food's Extra Virgin Olive Oil
   (One) STAR Olive Oil & Vinegar Cruet
   (Four) 6.5 oz. containers of Uniquely Greek spreads. A combo pack of the 4 varieties (Simply Spinach, Fire-Roasted Red Pepper, Kalamata Olive, and Spicy Buffalo)

Giveaway closes May 3, 2015, 11:59PM EST.  After the contest is over, I will send the winners an email (so please make sure you provide an email address or some other way to get in touch with you), and get you your prize package. The winners will have 3 days to respond or another winner will be chosen, all prizes will be awarded. The winner will be chosen via a random number generator, the first to be chosen has first dibs on which prize they receive, the 2nd chosen has 2nd choice, and so on. Open to continental U.S. residents over the age of 18. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

How to enter: (REQUIRED FOR ENTRY IN THIS GIVEAWAY) 

Fill out this brief reader survey to tell me what you like, don't like, love, want to change, etc.! Any feedback is helpful so please be honest! Then just comment with the code that is generated after you complete the survey and you're entered! YOU MUST LEAVE A COMMENT WITH THIS CODE TO BE ENTERED INTO THE GIVEAWAY! 

Additional (optional) entries: (you will receive one additional entry for each of the following--so if you leave a comment for all of them, you can have a total of up to 8 entries/chances to win!) MAKE SURE TO LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY-these entries are optional, not required.

• "Like" The Cooking Actress on Facebook-leave a comment on this post to let me know you did so.
• Follow The Cooking Actress on Pinterest-and leave a separate comment letting me know. 
• Follow The Cooking Actress by email-leave another comment.
• Follow me on Twitter @kayleblogna-leave a separate comment on here to tell me.
• Follow me on Instagram @kayleblogna-leave another comment, saying you did so.
• Follow The Cooking Actress on Bloglovin'-leave a comment letting me know that you did!
• Tweet this about the giveaway:  (and leave a comment on this post afterwards)  
• HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY to @kayleblogna #thecookingactress -enter the HUGE #giveaway {3 winners will be chosen!} http://bit.ly/1GNDoqA

**If you already like/follow any of these, it still counts. Just let me know you already follow each in separate comments**

Disclaimer: Waffle Pantry, PB & Co, Star Fine Foods, Golden Girl Granola, Uniquely Greek, and Nielsen-Massey are providing product for the giveaway. I received no monetary compensation. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or host a product giveaway. My opinions, as always, are all my own. We are not liable for technical failures or typographical errors, or resolving identity disputes related to the winner.VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 

The Cooking Actress' 3rd Blogaversary --Original Recipes round up!

WOW....3 years ago yesterday I hit publish on my first ever post on "The Cooking Actress". I was bored, lonely, obsessed with food and thought it might be fun. I tried to think of a unique name, and so I pulled The Cooking Actress out of my head. And I fully expected no one to read this.

3 years later I am in awe. I have made such an incredible group of food blogging friends, people who understand me better than 99% of people I've met outside of blogging. Some of the most talented, giving, awesome people in the world-true story (there aren't even words for the outpouring of support I've gotten at various stages of this process-not the least of which was the overwhelmingly sweet response to my engagement. Seriously was enough to get me all teared up.) I've grown so much as a cook, baker-and even photographer (although I still have a lot of room to grow!--step 1, get a DSLR). This little blog has grown so much bigger than I could have imagined, and I've been blessed to work with fantastic brands that I never would have guessed I'd be on their radar! It's been crazy amazing. I now plan days around when I can photograph a new recipe, editing pictures, writing posts, etc. etc. It's a lot of work but it is so much fun! I love every second of it and I am so so SO grateful for YOU! You, whoever is reading this, you have allowed me to find this outlet and have completely altered my life. I've gained confidence and purpose and friends. Any time I get a comment, or email, from one of you, any time someone pins one of my recipes, it genuinely brightens my day. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU so much for taking this crazy ride with me. I am looking forward to everything the future will bring, and I know it can only be more awesomeness. I'm stoked to see what happens next!

Now, to celebrate my 3 year Blogaversary, I thought I would share a round up of every original recipe that's here on the blog. Recipes that I developed/created. This is a skill that I've really just been beginning to feel comfortable with, and it garners so much pride. Any time I know I created a recipe and it's good...omgosh I am so excited. I'm hoping to grow in recipe development much more, but in the meantime, let's take a walk down memory lane of what I've created so far...

Something Saturdays (4/27/13) THE COOKING ACTRESS' 2ND BLOGAVERSARY!

The Cooking Actress' 2nd Blogaversary!

Yayyy! Today's the day! I can hardly believe it's already been (and yet has only been) 2 years!

2 years ago I was bored, bummed, and just blossoming in the kitchen.

2 years ago I thought I'd be lucky if my family and friends read this blog (and let's be honest...very few of them do still).

2 years ago I was intimidated by a mere biscuit recipe.

2 years ago I hit publish on a silly, rant-y post about myself, then subsequently a delicious recipe with blurry, no-effort pictures.

We've come a long way.

 My skills in the kitchen have improved immensely (I now try to make almost anything and everything from scratch), I've actually made this blog more of...well...a real blog, I've had the opportunity to work with some amazing companies, I won my first ever recipe contest, I've been featured on some of the bigger food photo sites, people are actually reading (I'm *gasp* even making a teensy bit of money?!), and I have made SO many amazing, wonderful friends.

And I owe every single last bit of it to you guys.

THANK YOU!

Thank you for making me look forward to turning on my computer. Thank you for making me feel proud of myself, and brightening my day. Thank you for making me laugh (because you do, often). Thank you for making me feel like I'm a part of some amazing, huge, food-loving family. I can't even begin to tell you all of the amazing ways this blog and I have grown in the last 2 years or how grateful I am.

And I hope we have lots more good stuff coming :).

(here's hoping blogs don't have "terrible two's" :P)

Also--a reminder! There's less than a week left for you to enter Baker Bettie's 2nd annual Cookie Wars! Kristina from Whipped, Laura from Ring Finger Tan Line, Charity of Sweets by Charity, and myself, are all helping Baker Bettie out with the first round of judging. The rules are that you need to create an original cookie recipe using 2 of the challenge ingredients (there are 25 possible challenge ingredients, that you'll find here) and then you need to submit the recipe with a photo of the finished cookie(s). You can learn more by visiting the FAQ's page and  the Official Rules page. Click here to go to the Official Online Recipe Submission Form.