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The Homies: Best Home Cooking Blog of 2008?
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12-20-homies1.jpgNominations close tomorrow. Voting Starts Tuesday!

This is a rare chance to link directly to us with your favorite home cooking URLs.

We're taking nominations for the best home cooking blog of the year in the comments below. All home cooking blogs are eligible, but not The Kitchn. We want to highlight the great blogs in the cooking niche, and we want to know who you read when you're not reading us :-). Nominations below, all prizes & info here.

 
 

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Comments (98)

I love to read Homesicktexan.blogspot.com.
Her site is full of delicious recipes of typical Texan fare - kolaches, migas, brisket. She takes beautiful pictures of the food and usually has a great story associated with the recipe. For a misplaced Texan it is a heavenly find.

posted by alexis on December 22nd 2008 at 7:35pm
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I always read my good friend KD's blog at goodthingscatered.blogspot.com - she is a wonderful, health-conscious cook and a sinfully fabulous baker and cake decorator! I also have to check orangette.blogspot.com each week. Molly Wizenberg's witty and well-phrased writing and her fantastic food photography make my mouth water!

posted by jlyn13 on December 22nd 2008 at 7:54pm
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I have a few good handfuls of favorite kitchen&food blogs but I'm going to recommend Matt Bites because it combines good writing, good food and good photography, and a good sense of humor.

I do wish I could nominate more than one. There are so many good ones out there.

posted by sciencegeek on December 22nd 2008 at 8:51pm
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smittenkitchen.com is my go to for great recipes. so yummy!

posted by brookeraymond on December 22nd 2008 at 9:07pm
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Chez Pim.

posted by Carla in Tacoma on December 22nd 2008 at 9:37pm
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I nominate White on Rice Couple! I love the recipes and these two have so much fun and personality.

http://whiteonricecouple.com/blog/

posted by desiree@lookiloos on December 22nd 2008 at 9:39pm
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I love Pioneer Woman! Her recipes are delicious and the way she presents them is not intimidating to try.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/

posted by Bunnybea on December 22nd 2008 at 10:22pm
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If I must choose one my favorite is http://www.hungrycravings.blogspot.com/. Lucy Vaserfirer’s food exploits include everything from Smork (smoked pork) to Bibimbap to making fantastic deserts out of Meyer Lemon Supremes. I love her lighthearted writing style and her recipes are well written and always satisfy my cravings.

posted by Feedme on December 22nd 2008 at 10:30pm
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I have learned more on Almost Vegetarian (http://almostvegetarian.blogspot.com) in the past year than I have in the past several years of trying to cut back on my carnivorism. And she's got a heck of a sense of humor.

posted by Timetokook on December 22nd 2008 at 11:00pm
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i hear ya bunnybea, i'm hooked on Pioneer Womans cooking blog. I've tried several of her delicious recipes. Her photography is amazing and she gives step-by-step directions. I also love her down to earth stlyle of writing- and shes hilarious!


http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/

posted by eribear12 on December 22nd 2008 at 11:04pm
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GASP! I love The Pioneer Woman's blog, she reminds me of my Aunt; kinda feisty and very funny. I'd like to nominate her as well.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/

posted by wisdom_of_trees on December 22nd 2008 at 11:19pm
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http://veganexplosion.com
You haven't seen an awesome food blog until you've checked out Vegan Explosion. This girl from Austin,Texas invented a queso that could fool even the pickiest of queso-lovers. She takes amazing pictures and has simple recipes from comfort food like biscuits and gravy or king ranch casserole to green tea almond cinnamon rolls or avocado pie. The recipes are reliable and you'd never guess they were vegan.
Go Austinites!

posted by Cook101 on December 23rd 2008 at 12:00am
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I nominate Hungry Cravings (http://www.hungrycravings.blogspot.com/). The author of this blog makes incredible recipes, has a great sense of humor and takes beautiful pictures. So far I haven't had anything less than splendid experiences with her recipes and guides. It is by far my favorite blog!

posted by z38gm on December 23rd 2008 at 12:18am
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Best home cooking blog period
Http://www.veganexplosion.com

posted by Figmented on December 23rd 2008 at 12:28am
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For baked goodliness, I love Bake & Destroy

http://nataliecakes.wordpress.com/

posted by GL on December 23rd 2008 at 1:34am
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The Pioneer Woman Cooks has my vote. It's not always fancy food, but it's the kind of recipes that you can make once, love, and then instantly add to your monthly meal arsenal. For everyday, down-home, stick-to-your-ribs Americana food, Pioneer Woman is unbeatable.

She is a talented writer who has a distinct voice, she includes great how-to's and pictures, and offers a great variety of holiday favorites, man-food, and ladies-who-lunch offerings.

That being said, if you let me just have two votes, my runner-up would definitely be bread & honey: a food blog. Summer and Alice are relatively new to the food-blogging world (I believe bread & honey was started in 2008) so if you have a category for "new-to-'08" blogs, they should win the prize.

Their photos are so nicely composed and they offer some vegan offerings (or suggestions on how to make some of the recipes vegan) and they include lots of comfort foods like soups and baked goods.

And you can't beat a blog that was "Digg-ed" for finding faces on a Broccoli box.

posted by Lindsey Z. on December 23rd 2008 at 7:38am
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I vote for www.smittenkitchen.com. I really enjoy Deb's writing "voice," and I have had the best luck with the recipes she has featured.

posted by jon (in Columbus) on December 23rd 2008 at 9:16am
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http://smittenkitchen.com/

I love Smitten Kitchen for its REALLY beautiful photography, fun/funny writing, and interesting recipes.

Love!

posted by nani-susie on December 23rd 2008 at 9:17am
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http://simmertilldone.com/

Marilyn's writing is superb, witty, and always entertaining. Her photos are luscious and I love her mix of recipes, interviews, and home cooking stories.

posted by wanderluster on December 23rd 2008 at 9:29am
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I'm another one for smittenkitchen.com

I love her photography, the recipes I've made from there are fantastic, and she is just an incredible writer.

posted by laetitiae on December 23rd 2008 at 9:53am
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http://whippedtheblog.com/

posted by carlene on December 23rd 2008 at 10:33am
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http://hungrycravings.blogspot.com/

Hungry Cravings is the best blog there is. It has great recipes and it provides professional step-by-step instructions on cooking techniques that put you on par with professional cooks. I have learned a lot by following these, even though I cooked my whole life.

I am looking forward to new posts, because they are so well written and have great sense of humor. Every recipe comes with a short story. You cannot get this on other blogs of cook books.

Thank you

posted by irinav22 on December 23rd 2008 at 10:44am
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I second the SIMMER TILL DONE nomination.

Informative, Funny, Touching and above all else...Inspiring.

http://simmertilldone.com/

posted by I Love Upstate on December 23rd 2008 at 11:09am
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http://wellfed.typepad.com/well_fed/

Well Fed is my go to blog. They always have great things that are explained and photographed well. My favorite which originally took me to the site is the pot de creme - so easy to make and always a crowd pleaser.

posted by brianest on December 23rd 2008 at 11:30am
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I am not vegan, but the best food blog by far is www.Veganexplosion.com Recipes are simple to understand, pictures are beautiful, and if you have a question, you get a quick answer. Crystal Rocks!!!

posted by rockyreward on December 23rd 2008 at 11:37am
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Hello Vegan Explosion! This site makes me want to cook! Check out the photos with the easy to understand directions!
I love how simple Crystal makes it for those of us who are totally clueless when it comes to the kitchen!
http://www.veganexplosion.com/

posted by Duke on December 23rd 2008 at 11:49am
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Crystal is my cooking diva!

posted by Mharbour on December 23rd 2008 at 12:23pm
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http://hotandbuttered.typepad.com/

i just wish it were updated more often

posted by redchef on December 23rd 2008 at 12:28pm
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My favorite is the Hungry Cravings blog http://hungrycravings.blogspot.com/

She has inventive and fun recipes and a refreshing writing style that is easy and enjoyable to read!

posted by foxfirejg on December 23rd 2008 at 12:31pm
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I love "vegan explosion". Just looking at the photos of the beautiful food made me hungry.
http://www.veganexplosion.com/

posted by effie1 on December 23rd 2008 at 12:50pm
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My favorite is www.simplyrecipes.com. There are soooo many great recipes on there that are part of my regular rotation of meals.

posted by Shannon Bradly on December 23rd 2008 at 1:15pm
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I am IN LOVE with Yeah, That "Vegan" Shit - http://yeahthatveganshit.blogspot.com. Awesome recipes and a totally unique voice. Super fun to read.

posted by surplusj on December 23rd 2008 at 1:16pm
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Smitten Kitchen and Simply Recipes are my favorites!

posted by Peggasus on December 23rd 2008 at 3:21pm
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The Pioneer Woman Cooks
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/
Not only are the step-by-step recipes scattered with hilarious comments throughout, the photography of each phase is gorgeous.
And the cookies I just made for my cookie swap from one of the recipes were a huge hit!
For those of us that are decent cooks but not learned chefs, the home-cooked feel of this site fits perfectly.

posted by KDfree on December 23rd 2008 at 4:05pm
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It's hard to pick just one, but I think my favorite food blog is 101 Cookbooks. I can't count how many of Heidi Swanson's recipes I've made, and every single one has been fantastic. She has a real gift for using simple ingredients that yield really unique results. And her photography is beautiful!

posted by mel.d on December 23rd 2008 at 4:23pm
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i vote for http://www.hungrycravings.blogspot.com/. I think the recepies are innovative, writing style is excellent with a good level of detail and humor, easy to understand and replicate. Pictures are great, showing you exacltly what you have to expect on the plate!

posted by HungryForMore on December 23rd 2008 at 4:51pm
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http://www.hungrycravings.blogspot.com/ is witty, and always entertaining! Go there for great recipes.

posted by HelloThere on December 23rd 2008 at 6:54pm
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smitten kitchen

posted by snoopy on December 23rd 2008 at 9:01pm
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I nominate Hungry Cravingshttp://www.hungrycravings.blogspot.com
I find it very entertaining while each recipe sounds so tastly it is tempting to rush right out and try them (I have tried and loved many). The personal touch of her husbands enjoyment of her creations is very entertaining. I feel like I know them by just reading the blog. She needs all the encouragement possible to continue her creativity.

posted by cycler64 on December 23rd 2008 at 11:58pm
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I nominate Hungry Cravingsttp://www.hungrycravings.blogspot.com. Love the receipies. Very funny and informative.

posted by r59659 on December 24th 2008 at 9:59am
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orangette.blogspot.com
smittenkitchen.com
101cookbooks.com
and
veganyumyum.com

posted by ebean on December 24th 2008 at 11:59am
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I love Lucy's Hungry Cravings. http://www.hungrycravings.blogspot.com/

She has some very creative and healty foods, and the directions are easy to follow. Lucy does not always follow the traditional approaches I have learned to cooking, which makes things much more fun.

posted by jeats on December 24th 2008 at 12:19pm
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My favourite food blog by far is syllabub (http://syllabub.blogspot.com/). My only real complaint about the blog is that she rarely posts. But when she does, the posts are so thoughtful and beautiful that I can't help but be riveted.

posted by seidhr on December 24th 2008 at 1:11pm
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Tribeca Yummy Mummy!

Delicious recipes geared toward cooking together with your family. And we're not just talking chicken nuggets - real food. The Mummy herself, Cate, frequently peppers in her travels, family and friends. Delish!

http://tribecayummymummy-cate.blogspot.com/

posted by lowem on December 24th 2008 at 1:56pm
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Simply recipes for a good mix of basic and not so basic recipes. Great photography too, along with some cute stories of Elise's cooking parents.
http://www.elise.com/recipes/

posted by mikeinkansascity on December 24th 2008 at 3:06pm
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My nomination goes to
www.thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/
Simple, easy to make yummy, comfort food.

posted by cee on December 24th 2008 at 3:59pm
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I nominate Coconut and Lime. Best home cooking blog ever!!

http://coconutlime.blogspot.com

posted by Matt Von Boozestein on December 24th 2008 at 5:24pm
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I would like to second the vote for:

http://whiteonricecouple.com/blog

and add

Spicy Salty Sweet: http://www.spicysaltysweet.com/

posted by foodwoolf on December 24th 2008 at 6:23pm
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No question... Smitten Kitchen is without a doubt the best!

posted by carvillian on December 24th 2008 at 6:28pm
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http://tipsybaker.blogspot.com/

posted by Kate T. on December 24th 2008 at 8:39pm
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Use Real Butter: http://jenyu.net/blog/

It's intelligent, geunine and the food is fantastic.

posted by ey on December 25th 2008 at 12:42pm
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VeganExplosion.com all the way!

posted by Cook101 on December 25th 2008 at 12:55pm
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I nominate The Blissful Glutton, written by Jennifer Zyman in Atlanta. As a native Atlantan, you have to have been here 20 years ago when there was painfully little in the way of a food scene. We now have one to be proud of, and not just because of the appearance of Craft or Il Mulino. We have homegrown and transplanted talent that labors locally and with love and skill. Jennifer's writing is engaging, thoughtful, and sometimes enchanting. I find her reviews on the mark and covering all aspects of dining that I care about.

http://blissfulglutton.blogspot.com

posted by rerun on December 25th 2008 at 3:08pm
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http://fanaticcook.blogspot.com/

http://tazadechocolate.blogspot.com/

posted by maude on December 26th 2008 at 12:00am
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I nominate
http://www.hungrycravings.blogspot.com/

This is a smartly written blog with great recipes and good pictures. It is well-organized with an easy recipe list and printable recipes. I recommend the granola recipe as a great place to start. All the pictures make you drool.

posted by Likestoeat on December 26th 2008 at 1:53am
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A great blog is http://www.hungrycravings.blogspot.com. It is well written with great pictures and instructions for the recipes. The best part of the blog is the wide ranging variety of recipes available.

posted by Foodlover on December 26th 2008 at 2:06am
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A great blog written by a French girl, in English:
http://lavieinenglish.blogspot.com

posted by cami on December 26th 2008 at 10:40am
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jugalbandi dot info

posted by avianmission on December 26th 2008 at 3:32pm
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I ADORE...
http://www.smittenkitchen.com

posted by goodLife{eats} on December 26th 2008 at 3:38pm
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Hands down best - both for recipes/tips as well as for pure entertainment - Ree is awesome - www.thepioneerwomancooks.com.

posted by scuuster on December 26th 2008 at 4:00pm
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I nominate the Hungry Cravings blog written by Lucy Vaserfirer in Vancouver, WA as the best blog. Great recipes that can be done easily but still offer a variety of tasty results.
http://www.hungrycravings.blogspot.com/

posted by Calitexcomin on December 27th 2008 at 3:00am
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Although there are many more well-known home cooking blogs I love, like Pioneer Woman Cooks and Smitten Kitchen, one of my all-time favorite lesser known blogs is La Fuji Mama: http://lafujimama.blogspot.com

posted by samurai spoon on December 27th 2008 at 8:49am
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I have gotten some great recipes from both Orangette and Smitten Kitchen.

posted by Anne (in Reno) on December 27th 2008 at 12:44pm
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Phsh, easy. SMITTEN KITCHEN. I want to write like Deb when I grow up.

posted by bedtime for gonzo on December 27th 2008 at 8:03pm
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A GREAT new blog I've been reading is http://thirtyaweek.wordpress.com/. A couple, from Brooklyn, making delicious meals on only $30 a week. There are great recipes, tips for cutting your grocery bill, they even did a holiday gift guide. Good times, good food, even better advice.

posted by waterbabyaislynn on December 27th 2008 at 8:07pm
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Simmer Till Done, http://simmertilldone.com/, gets my vote.

It's warm, it's funny, it's inviting, it's delicious-- true life set out on the table for all to eat... and eat it we do, hungrily!

posted by MBdownUnder on December 27th 2008 at 10:22pm
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Crystal at Vegan Explosion gets my vote.
http://www.veganexplosion.com
(It's vegan, green & ad free.)

posted by Alicia5704 on December 28th 2008 at 2:02am
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I love 101 cookbooks, the pioneer woman cooks, the rhodey girls tests, foodie at fifteen, bittersweet, among many others.

I am also going to toot my own horn and vote for myself (I know, it's tacky)
http://testkitchenette.wordpress.com

posted by charmedbynancy on December 28th 2008 at 11:25am
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www.endlesssimmer.com
because food doesn't have to be so serious

posted by gansie on December 28th 2008 at 2:03pm
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http://www.lottieanddoof.com is newer and is a good mix of simplicity and personality. the recipes are yummy and honest and the photography is great. lottie&doof has a lot in common with other great food blogs (like those mentioned above!) - but definitely feels unique as the author weaves in his own personality and experience!

posted by jrr on December 28th 2008 at 3:51pm
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yeah! lottie & doof is definitely a new favorite. really good recipes, beautiful, and smart!
http://www.lottieanddoof.com/

posted by evm on December 28th 2008 at 4:44pm
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I love all the nominations-I now have new blogs to check out. My faves are simply recipes, serious eats and vanilla garlic.

posted by rosebud on December 28th 2008 at 7:06pm
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I also love Lottie Doof. The recipes are primo and the photography exquisite.

http://www.lottieanddoof.com/

posted by SROX on December 28th 2008 at 7:16pm
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I will have to chime in and agree with the others about Lottie and Doof. I found this little gem a couple of months ago. I think the recipes are delicious and at the same time accessible. Yum!

posted by sparesumchange on December 28th 2008 at 7:49pm
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Lottie and Doof is most certainly my most favorite site of 2008! The food photography is excellent...and every recipe is superb. I look forward to a cookbook!

posted by tbb1 on December 28th 2008 at 7:50pm
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another vote for vegan explosion
http://www.veganexplosion.com

posted by dylanonfire on December 28th 2008 at 11:03pm
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I vote for Lottie Doof, an amazing and talented newcomer. The recipes are fabulous! http://www.lottieanddoof.com/

posted by sarahvan on December 28th 2008 at 11:57pm
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I'm also voting for Lottie & Doof (http://www.lottieanddoof.com/) - I've already used some of the recipes and have a few stacked up to get to when I have time!

posted by Meelo on December 29th 2008 at 9:20am
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I vote for Lottie & Doof! It is great! http://www.lottieanddoof.com/
I also love Smitten Kitchen. http://smittenkitchen.com/
I really like seeing all of the nominees! More blogs to check out!

posted by bakerbaker on December 29th 2008 at 10:04am
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There's a lot of great blogs mentioned so far, but I want to put in a good word for Dinner Party: http://adinnerparty.blogspot.com

It's a fairly new site, but stands out because it features dinner party menus as well as recipes. Great stories and photos too.

posted by cookandeat on December 29th 2008 at 11:58am
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for an interesting mix of posts and good laughs, http://www.thursdaynightsmackdown.com

for the best recipes and posts i was going to say smitten kitchen, a no brainer, but she's already a powerhouse blog, so instead i'm going to go with http://www.cookeatfret.com

i read WAY too many of these things, it's hard to pick just a few.

posted by fizziwink on December 29th 2008 at 12:46pm
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Lots of great nominees! I also throw in a vote (ok, nomination) for Lottie Doof! You can't find a prettier blog with tastier recipes. And the writer's a real charmer.

posted by Morri$on on December 29th 2008 at 1:07pm
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Beautiful photos, mouthwatering recipes and boundless creativity at Simmer Till Done

posted by modernemama on December 29th 2008 at 3:59pm
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Thirty a Week is definitely a new fave of mine. Good photography, excellent recipes and all done on an impressive budget of $30/week for TWO people living in Brooklyn. I can't do that where I live and I am surrounded by fresh produce!

posted by greenstrickster on December 29th 2008 at 4:42pm
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I second Thirty a Week (http://thirtyaweek.wordpress.com). Especially in these crazy economic times, it's nice to see good food being made on a tight budget. I really liked their ideas for holiday gift giving and made the sea salt caramels. My mom LOVED them!

posted by JaneGrossmen on December 29th 2008 at 4:51pm
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veganexplosion.com

i've been vegan for over 6 years, and nothing beats crystal's vegan explosion. without her blog, i wouldn't have been able to enjoy my favorite childhood eats & treats that i thought i'd never have after going vegan. the photos are beautiful and the recipes are simply the best!

posted by ctate on December 29th 2008 at 7:18pm
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one vote for vegan explosion
www.veganexplosion.com

posted by ellieb123 on December 29th 2008 at 8:21pm
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http://www.lottieanddoof.com is my favorite webpage!

posted by nancy42 on December 29th 2008 at 8:51pm
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www.lottieanddoof.com is also my new fav! Every photograph waters my mouth and the recipes always work out nicely.

posted by ese on December 29th 2008 at 9:56pm
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I am a huge fan of Smitten Kitchen!

posted by elysek on December 29th 2008 at 10:35pm
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www.hungrycravings.blogspot.com is my new fav. Soooooo original, great pics, completely different.

posted by pamboney on December 29th 2008 at 11:35pm
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I'm a foodie and a techie.
I'm nominating:
www.veganexplosion.com

The foodie in my loves the recipes and professional food photography from this blog..
..But the techie in me admires this site because it's obviously programmed from scratch (it's not a wordpress or blogger blog like most others). Also it's ad free. That's a winner for me.
-Charlie

posted by CharlieCooks on December 29th 2008 at 11:40pm
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WWW.VEGANEXPLOSION.COM

posted by xxfingerpaintxx on December 29th 2008 at 11:50pm
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Is the voting starting today?

posted by I Love Upstate on December 30th 2008 at 1:39pm
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My vote goes to lottie&doof. He introduces us to delicious recipes that can actually be executed, and pulls us in through his narrative. Photographs are beautiful too!

posted by kas on December 31st 2008 at 3:26am
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Smitten Kitchen, hands down.

posted by kmango on January 1st 2009 at 9:39am
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My favorite homecooking blogs are, hands down, Foodwoolf, Matt Bites, White on Rice Couple and Wrightfood for the the excellent pictures, exemplary writing and sense of culinary adventure they all embrace!

posted by SpicySaltySweet on January 1st 2009 at 1:06pm
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For people who've had voting problems -- there was a bug in the "superlogout" code that made logging out of ohdeedoh (and re-nest, thekitchn and unplggd) impossible. If you've had trouble voting, please try the logout link again and let us know if it works.The site will give good information and competition in Cooking.

Also, if the "answer survey" button is grayed out, try holding down shift and reloading the page. Sometimes the survey form gets stuck in the browser cache in the "not logged in" state and that should clear it out.

Tom

posted by tom2000 on February 12th 2009 at 1:58am
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