As you know, this month I celebrated the one-year-anniversary of the Book of Yum by holding a contest for readers to win a Bette Hagman book or copy of Peanut Butter Planet. All together we had 29 wonderful entries, and I got so much blog love I think I’ll be vain for a month. You know, when I started this contest, I was just hoping to find out what my readers enjoyed most over the previous year so I could expand on that. What I found out was that my readers have as varied of interests as I do! Some of you like the more traditional, bread-type recipes, while others enjoy travel articles, others enjoy my vegetarian experiments with tofu, and still others love exploring international foods. Others were touched by our tribute to Bette Hagman, or enjoyed posts on local produce. You said my blog was “wild” (I got a huge kick out of this), “different” and “unique.” Nobody said “weird,” but I don’t mind admitting that sometimes this blog can be weird, especially given the mix of posts in a given week- we might hop from Austrian rosti to Japanese bento and then to traditional American banana muffins. How tasty would that be all together in a meal? We’re practically talking pickles and ice cream here, folks! But ultimately, my goal is to take something that can be restrictive, like our gluten-free diet, and share some wild and crazy international ways to have fun with it. You can look forward (I hope, I hope) to lots more vegetarian experiments with Asian, European, and North American (Southern, aww yeah) cuisine in the future.

By our reader’s vote, the two most popular posts this year were for vietnamese summer rolls with three votes and this Savory Tofu Peanut Sauce Stir Fry with two votes. These were two of my favorite recipes as well, so I’m glad we agree!

Some things will stay the same, but as I keep hinting, the blog will be getting an aesthetic and functional makeover in the immediate future. DH is programming his little fingers to the bone as we speak, in fact, and we’ve got all the visual elements designed. I’ve got lots of ideas on how to make the blog easier to navigate, including diet-specific navigation and category based browsing. But this would be the perfect time to hear from YOU about what type of entries you’d like to see OR what functions would make the Book of Yum more user-friendly.

PLEASE POST any ideas you have for improving the site or any topics you’d love to read about IN THE COMMENTS. After all, I do this site for you guys!

Now, about that contest…
I am pleased to announce that a winner has been selected (from a basket, actually, not a hat OR a shoe box), and our winner is…. drum roll…

Mary Frances of Alabama, a GF and dairy free, vegetarian reader with a lovely blog of her own, Gluten-Free Cooking School. Mary Frances is a self-confessed onigiri-aholic and her favorite post is Like Water for Onigiri 2: with a Vegetarian Sesame Spinach Onigiri Recipe that she says is “out of this world.”

UPDATED Feb 2 ‘08 *Mary Frances emailed me back right away, and she asked me to pick my favorite of the four books, since she didn’t have any of them. It was tough to pick between The Gluten-Free Gourmet Bakes Bread: More Than 200 Wheat-Free Recipesand The Gluten-Free Gourmet Cooks Fast and Healthy: Wheat-Free and Gluten-Free with Less Fuss and Less Fatbut ultimately we went with the latter. Her book has been ordered and should arrive any day now!*

On that note, here’s a roundup of your favorite posts:

We Like Travel/ Restaurant Reviews!

Theresa’s daughter will also be traveling in Germany soon, so she also enjoyed this post on Health food stores and gluten-free food in Germany and Austria.

Orlando resident Lisa Vance was excited to see the post on Indian Buffets because she used to love Indian Buffets.

StillLearning said that this post made her realize that if Sea can travel to the ends of the earth (India and Austria) and still eat gluten free, surely she could live in a foreign country and do the same. (Awesome!)

We like international foods!

Super-nice North Carolina resident Carrie, the Ginger Lemon Girl, said she likes the Book of Yum because it introduces people to real international cuisine and vegetarian cooking! Her favorite post is this Savory Tofu Peanut Sauce Stir Fry because it was the first tofu dish that she has ever made that she enjoyed. (Yay! some tofu-love!)

Local Bay Area resident AllergicToAll loves indian food, especially things wrapped in dough so she liked this recipe for Aloo Samosa.

Canadian Heidi really liked this post on salad/summer rolls because she was always too intimidated to try making them and the post encouraged her to try them. (Yay!)

MoviePalaceFan took those same Vietnamese wraps on a trip and they were fantastic! (they really are perfect for travel… I need to make some! mm!)

Diana Pierce also enjoyed the various posts on spring rolls and has saved many of our recipes.

North Carolina resident Natalie liked the Mexican soup with corn dumplings, but she likes pretty much anything with greens too! :)

Maryland resident Mars loves international foods, esp Japanese and our Okonomiyaki was something her whole family enjoyed making together. (She notes that where she lives, “a traffic jam is usually the result of farm equipment on the road.” heh heh)

We have multiple allergies!

Mostly vegetarian Washingtonian Gaile (aka Fidgety Budgie) had to cut out cheese, which may explain why she loves this pine nut ricotta recipe so much. In fact, it has graced her kitchen three times in the last 6 weeks in lasagna as well as stuffed shells. She also enjoyed following the blog on our trip to India, and has been inspired to try more India recipes, especially those filled idlis that remind her of her much missed bao.

We like eating local Vegetables and/or are Vegetarian!

Ontario, Canada resident Queen Adeena loves our chebe pizza experiment with grilled veggies but also re-discovered brussels sprouts in these posts. Until she read these posts, they only bought the frozen kind, and ate them rarely. Now, they roast up a batch of fresh ‘Barbie cabbages’ once a week. Super Yum. The Maple ones are their favourite – but they also roast them with a drizzle of honey. (Yay, fantastic to hear!) She also loved reading about our recent travel adventures and drooling over the pictures! (Great! I’m glad we could share them with you!)

Japan resident Vegetablej’s favorite post about Southern Fried Tofu prompted her to try a similar recipe with great success, around Christmas time. Since everyone here in Japan was eating chicken, she was able to enter into to spirit of the celebration and stick to her vegetarian diet.

Karen Mahoney said that it was hard to pinpoint a favorite, but finding a good gluten free, vegetarian burger for summer cook outs was tough until we had this portobello “burger” recipe in August She has celiac and is vegetarian and her son has celiac as well. (Great! Karen, did you see this post on gluten-free prepared veggie burgers?)

SF Bay-er Carla loved the the roasted veggies and our 4th of July (cuz it’s her favourite US holiday!) post but her favourite so far has been the peanut tofu stir fry

We cook for Gluten-free Kiddies!

Keri in Antioch said that her favorite post is for Fish Cheese Crackers. Her 3 year old son is the celiac in our house, and the one thing he misses that she couldn’t find a substitute for was Goldfish crackers. Once she finds a fish cookie cutter she is going to make them.

We love Bette Hagman!

Debi Bussell’s favorite post was the tribute to Bette Hagman because it gave her an opportunity to express to her eternal gratitude to Bette Hagman and her work.

Happy Anniversary

Sheltie Girl @ Gluten A Go Go said congratulations and that she hopes there are many more anniversaries] to come for the Book of Yum. (awww, me too!)

Ontario Grand Pooh Ma Janet (who has 12 GF kids, including Queen Adeena and 14 GF grandkids- wow!) says that she doesn’t really have a favourite but your blog is my favourite gluten-free spot out in cyberspace. (Aww, thank you!)

Jaye from the Pacific North West said Happy Anniversary, and shared that all four of their family are disgnosed celiacs, with dairy intolerance and soy causes problems also.

Betty wished us a happy anniversary as well. (Thanks!)

It has been really fun re-living the year’s posts through your comments, so thank you! You all made my week a bit brighter, and made all the love and work I pour into this baby worth it. With love and thanks, Sea

PS Don’t forget to tell me what you’d like to see NEXT YEAR in the comments! Post wish list, anyone?

Peruse Previous Recipe Box Posts
Recipe Box: May-June
Recipe Box: July

Enjoy BytheBay’s Gluten Free Recipe Roundups
Gluten-Free Rosh Hashanah Recipe Roundup 2007
8/22/07
Comprehensive list of all of By the Bay’s roundups

And now… The Gluten Free Recipe Box for August!
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Ellen from I am Gluten Free shared a crunchy crunchy Gluten Free Crouton Recipe (Sea’s note: I made these last night! Yum!)

And at Ambrosia there was an intriguing recipe for Indian Chickpea Sweets, a Besan Laddu Recipe

Liz at Kill the Gluten
served up a Gluten Free Creamed Peas Recipe
and Gluten Free Crepe Recipe while
Melony shared a Recipe for Gluten Free Au Gratin Potatoes

Kathy of Gluten Free Kathy brought us a
healthy recipe for Sweet Potato Tortilla Pie that will give you energy for any sports activity!

Gluten Free Gobsmacked
baked a delicious Gluten Free Molasses Bread Recipe
and the cutest little Gluten Free Mini Vanilla Filled Cupcake Recipe

GFCF Mommy baked
an Oooeeey goooeeey brownie cake recipe
and a gluten free Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe

Kelly from Celiac Chicks brought a tasty recipe for gluten freeSmurf Sisters Tabouli

Jean of Gluten Free Organics
shared a Gluten Free Whole Grain Muffin Recipe

Sheltie Girl at Gluten a Go-Go
shared an innovative wasabi coleslaw salad

Rachel at Wheat Free, Meat-Free
prepared a Canned Dilly Green Beans Recipe

Natalie of Gluten free Mommy
made a delicious CHOCOLATE MARBLE BREAD WITH CHOCOLATE GANACHE RECIPE
and Cornmeal Cranberry Orange Cookies

Naomi at the Accidental Vegetarian refreshed her readers with a
and a vegan, raw foods Mock Fish Stick Recipe
a Peanut Free, Dairy Free, Egg free Extreme PB&J sorbet recipe
and a Raw Foods Spaghetti Bolognese that looked darned good.

Shauna, the Gluten Free Girl
shared David Lebovitz’s naturally vegan and allergen freeApple Ginger Sorbet Recipe
a tart, refreshing Agave Syrup Lemonade Recipe
a Gluten Free Quinoa Apricot and Blueberry Crumble Recipe
and a road worthy Chickpea salad with carrots, walnuts, and French feta

Nena at Eating Possibly
baked a Gluten Free Peach Bread Pudding Recipe
and in July, she had an amazing Spinach Pecorino Chebe Twists Recipe

I am personally eternally grateful to David at Gluten-Free NYC for
coming up with a Risotteria Bread Sticks for those of us who can’t make it to New York for some Gluten Free Risotto and Bread Sticks- Thanks, David!

Here Sea at the Book of Yum
shared a Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free, Nut Free Cheezy Spinach Pie Recipe
a Dairy Free, Egg Free Vegan Enchilada Recipe
a delicious, soy free Vegetarian Fried Rice Recipe
posted my favorite discovery, Buckwheat Savory Crepe Recipe
we had a yummy yummy Baked Lotus Root Chip Recipe
and a Sweet Gluten Free Raspberry Crepe Recipe

The sometimes GF blogger with the beautiful blog La Tartine Gourmande made an amazing
Sweet Almond Oil Quinoa Peach Tart Recipe -Gorgeous AND egg free and dairy free too.
A Chocolate Amaranth Quinoa Cake Recipe
and on the savory side, Eggplant Millefeuille
In July there was also an unforgettable Chestnut and Quinoa Crepe recipe

Steve at Gluten Free Steve
came up with an innovative Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookie Recipe
and a drool worthy Gluten Free Puff Pancake Recipe

The charmingly entertaining David Leovitz
made a fabulous Agave Sweetened Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe

Linda at the not usually GF blog Make Life Sweeter baked some
Weesper moppen Cookies (from Koekje by Jonah Freud) for our event to honor Bette Hagman. Looks delish, Linda!
as well as a totally GF White Chocolate Gnocchi Recipe

Homemades shared a Bubur Injit Black Rice Pudding with Coconut Recipe

Dianne of the U.K. blog Gluten Free Journey
made a mouth-watering but easy to prepare recipe for Polenta Triangles with Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

Jill Elise of Hey that tastes Good!
baked a Gluten Free Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe
and hit a double whammy with a post including a Maine Blueberry Coffeecake Recipe and Corn Fritter Recipe
and made us drool with a Gluten Free Lemon Bar Recipe

Renee at Gluten Free Vegan
scrambled up a French Style Scrambled Tofu Recipe

BytheBay of Gluten Free By the Bay shared a mouth watering recipe for Jamaican-style Spicy Turkey Pastries

Liz at Kill the Gluten
made a family friendly Cream-Cheese Chicken Recipe
and a Gluten Free Baked Bean Recipe
while Melony at the same site created a super yummy looking Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice Recipe and
a Rotel King Ranch Chicken, AKA Gluten Free Chicken Enchilada Recipe

Dianne of the U.K. blog Gluten Free Journey
prepared a tasty Hot and Sour Pickled Prawn Recipe

Natalie, the Gluten Free Mommy
baked up a Pantry Beef Casserole Recipe

Mrs. G.F.
simmered a dish of Mussels La Vinnie Testa

Kate at Gluten Free Gobsmacked
shared her love’s recipe for Kate’s Favorite Chicken
an amazing Gluten Free Oven Baked Corn Dog Recipe

Kbabe at Going Gluten Free
channeled IKEA swedish meatballs with a Gluten Free Swedish Meatball Recipe
brought us regional Chinese cuisine with Hui Guo Pork
and Hong Shou Rou – Red Pork
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Karen of Gluten Free Food Reviews baked and reviewed over a dozen Gluten Free cakes in the month of August, including those by Dowd & Rogers, Gluten Free Pantry, Kinnikinnick, and Gluten Free Essentials. It’s a tough job but somebody’s got to do it! Thanks, Karen!

We have a new blogger in the gluten free blogosphere, Melissa, with a lovely new site full of delicious and nutritious gluten free recipes called Gluten Free for Good. She opened the blog with an entry for Bette- such a nice beginning! Welcome to the world of gluten free blogging, Melissa!

On a personal note, I was thrilled by this sweet post about a family’s experience with my okonomiyaki recipe.

And, because it’s fun, here’s the Book of Yum in August, in pictures!

GF Quesadillas / GF Pizza / Cashew Cream Fruit Salad

From the Vegetarian Gluten Free Recipe Box for July:
*Note: These Recipes are Vegetarian but the blogs themselves may not be Vegetarian*

By the Bay shared her delicious recipe for Banana Medallion Pancakes

Naomi of the Accidental Vegetarian ventured into the brave new world of gluten free raw/vegan dining with
a dehydrated Gluten Free Veggie Burger recipe
delighted her son with an Almond Crusted Zucchini and Pasta Recipe
made Nut Milk and Nut Milk Ice Cream for the vegan or lactose intolerant Celiac
Whipped up a Banana Foster Nut Cream Recipe
and made Oven Baked Chiles Rellenos

Meanwhile the Gluten Free Goddess bounced back from new dietary restrictions with Roasted Vegetable salsa
and conquered the world of delicious vegan desserts with a recipe for vegan coconut bars

Melony & Liz at Kill the Gluten shared a killer recipes for Gluten Free Chocolate Cake
a waldorf-like salad recipe
and brought us a cleverly named recipe for Cowboy Caviar

The newly famous Catherine at Gluten Free Guide shared her birthday recipe for Yummy Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Apricots and Dates

Diane from A Gluten Free Journey shared her Antipasto recipe for two
a Recipe for Raspberry Eton Mess
A healthy Quinoa with peas and herbs recipe
and a recipe for homemade Rum and Raisin Ice Cream

Fabulous Ellen at I am Gluten Free shared her recipe for a Raw Swiss Chard Salad and issued a challenge for gluten free raw recipes! We’ll be sure to take you up on that, Ellen!

Meanwhile the talented gluten free pastry chef Karen at the Art of Gluten Free Cooking created more of her genius recipes, such as one for Gluten Free Cactus cupcakes, etc.

It was a busy month for Sheltie Girl at Gluten a Go Go, who inspired with a variety of gluten free baked goods, including
a Gluten Free Cola Cake Recipe
a Gluten Free Olive Bread Recipe
a unique Gluten Free Blueberry Polenta Cake Recipe
and a recipe for Gluten Free Mexican Chocolate Cake

Rachel at Wheat Free Meat Free brought us Spicy Black Beans
a decadent Gluten Free Peanut Butter Kisses Recipe
and a scrumptious Gluten Free Cheesecake Recipe

a.c.e., our favorite Gluten Free College student at College Celiac, shared a recipe for Gluten Free Anise Biscotti

The stellar Mrs. GF shared a recipe from Carol Fenster’s new cookbook Carol Fenster’s Popover Recipe- with permission of course.
She also made us drool with a Gluten Free recipe for Mini Cheesecake

Meanwhile Going Gluten Free posted a Gluten free White Chocolate Coconut Macadamia Nut Pan Cookie Recipe- whew, what a title! Sounds absolutely delicious, though!

Reneeb, our own Gluten Free Vegan posted an innovative and allergy friendly recipe for Gluten Free, Yeast Free Bread,
a Gluten Free Vegan Pakora Recipe
a Recipe for Indonesian Tofu Rendang
and for the busy gluten free vegan, a recipe for a Lazy Risotto a la Rice Cooker

Jill Elise at Hey that Tastes Good posted a perfect recipe for Gluten Free Blintzes with Blueberry Sauce

Here Seamaiden at the Book of yum had a recipe for homemade paneer
a recipe for homemade corn tortillas and pico de gallo
our first gluten free beer Recipe and
a sublime recipe for roasted veggie pizza using Chebe Crust (Just trust me on the sublime thing.)

Mrs. Gluten Free introduces us to her Award Winning Broccoli Salad Recipe with Bacon

jill elise at Hey that Tastes Good shared herChicken Samosas and Gluten Free Chicken “Matzo” Ball Soup Recipes

kbabe1968 at Going Gluten Free shared a Gluten Free Chinese Peppers and Meat Recipe prepared for her by a visiting Chinese exchange student. I’m jealous!

MissyZ at Food-Fan gave us her recipe for a Provencale Prawn Soup

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But of course, there were also lots of gluten free recipes introduced by some amazing non-gluten free bloggers this month. Just to name a few…

One of my favorite bloggers, Maki, at Just Hungry inspired with her Zucchini Chickpea Flour Pancake Recipe

Mostly Eating intrigued with her recipe for a Fig and Rosewater Smoothie

The eloquent Indira at Mahanandi shared some naturally gluten free Indian treats like A regional rice based idli called Ponganalu and red roasted pepper chutney with besan dosa/pancakes, making me personally very hungry.

A Whisk and a Spoon had a Tropical Pavlova Recipe

Jaden’s Steamy Kitchen served up some Asian Lettuce Cups with Ground Turkey and Green Apple- love her notes for a Gluten Free version!
as well as a drool inducing Matcha White Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe

And the adorably named Smitten Kitchen shared a recipe for Quick Saute of Zucchini with Toasted Almonds

I think we can safely say there have never been more Gluten Free recipes online than there are today- with more being posted every minute. So, stay tuned, and feel free to post links to any of your favorite gluten free posts (from July or August) in the comments.

The Book of Yum this Month in Pictures

From the Vegetarian Gluten Free Recipe Box:
*Note: These Recipes are Vegetarian but the blogs themselves may not be Vegetarian*

Danielle from the Gluten Free Artist stunned us in May with a gorgeous
Gluten Free Tiramisu Recipe
Naomi of The Accidental Vegetarian inspired with her recipes for
Fabulous Fresh Herb Pizza
Cilantro Lime Chili with Brown Rice
Cheddar Crust Cornish Pasties (using her own flour blend)
Chickpea Zucchini Blossom Fritters with Manchego Cheese
By the Bay of Gluten Free By the Bay shared her
Gluten Free Cheesy Baked Ziti Recipe
Karina from Gluten Free Goddess brought you
Pesto Zucchini Tomato Gratin
Ellen from I am Gluten Free Introduced:
Gluten Free Multigrain Miracle Bread
Raw Mediterranean Kale Salad
Diane from A Gluten Free Journey shared her
Raspberry and Almond Meringue Recipe
Melanie at Kill.the.gluten shared her
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Natalie at Gluten Free Mommy brought us the drool worthy
Lighter than Air Chocolate Cake
Slacker Mom at Mrs. GF- Recipes for a Gluten Free Life baked up a
Quick and Easy Banana Quinoa Muffin Recipe
Rachel at Wheat-Free Meat-Free wowed us all with a tasty
Gluten Free Fig Newton Recipe
Sheltie Girl at Gluten a Go Go innovated with a
Gluten Free Blue Corn Scone Recipe
Catherine in Manhattan at Gluten Free Guide shared her
Quinoa Salad with black beans and jicama Recipe
Here at The Book of Yum we had
Gluten Free Zucchini Pizza Recipe
An Ambrosial Indian Green Bean Recipe
A Gluten Free Skillet Corn Cake Recipe

From the Non-Veg Gluten Free Recipe Box:

Brendon from Something in Season shared his Picnic Meal:
Thai Style Mini Burgers, Red Salted Fried Eggs, and Quick Salad
Jill Elise from Hey that tastes good! shared her inexpensive dumpling mix discovery:
Gluten Free Chinese Dumpling Recipe / Gluten Free Ha Cao Recipe
Melanie at Kill.the.gluten gave us her
Gluten Free Beef Stroganoff Recipe
and Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Recipe
kbabe at Going Gluten free presented decadent
Gluten Free Buffalo Wings Recipe
Gluten Free Nutella Brownie Recipe
Gluten Free Peanut Butter Brownie Recipe
Ashley at Don’t Need no Stinking Wheat shared her Gluten Free College
Gluten Free Cherry Crisp Recipe
*Note: Cherry Crisp is Vegetarian but blog has many non vegetarian recipes*

Discoveries on the Gluten Free Food Blogging Scene:
Karen began a web site providing straight-forward, honest opinion of gluten free products at Gluten Free Food Reviews

Gluten Freeda, an online resource for the gluten free lifestyle, removed subscription fees at the Gluten Freeda Site

Erin at Gluten Free Fun started a photo group sharing photos of gluten free foods at Gluten Free Goodness