A few months ago, I decided to start a food blog on Instagram.
On @DiningwithLamesha, I share meals that I’ve prepared for my family and dishes that I’ve purchased at restaurants.
Why Food Blogging?
During a blogging conference, the host recommended new bloggers choose one topic for their blogs. “Niche down,” she said.
On @LameshaJunior, I share writing updates and lifestyle topics including books, inspirational messages, hair, and some of my interests. I love the flow of this page and will continue to share lifestyle and writing posts on this blog and my social media pages. But I was intrigued to create another Instagram page and blog about one topic. I considered various topics – that aren’t already covered on my other page – like television recaps, food, and budgeting. Food blogging won because I was passionate about this topic, I can feature it on my other pages, and I knew I would be consistent with posting.
Reflections
I’ve enjoyed this new journey because I love eating great food and trying new recipes. I cook most of my family’s meals, but I’m not a confident cook. I have never cooked the main dishes for a large gathering. I always have it catered or choose to prepare something that wouldn’t be the main focus. Though I have a banging recipe, I don’t volunteer to make the potato salad or mac and cheese for a gathering. I’d probably call a bakery before making the lemon cream cheese pound cake that’s a favorite among my family. Big events plus cooking equals lots of pressure. I worry that someone would hate what I’ve cooked. What if my dish has tasted good a thousand times but this is the time that it lacks flavor…or is burnt?
So, this blog will hopefully make me more confident to hype my food up like all the other home cooks. If my food ever ends up getting trolled, I’d shed a single tear but keep trying.
Taking pictures of food is hard. I’m still learning. Sometimes they come out amazing and other times the lighting is wrong, the angle is weird and the food doesn’t photograph as well as it tastes. As with everything, you won’t get better unless you try, try and try some more. My pictures are currently taken with my cellphone. Once my blog grows, I will look into cameras.
What to Expect on my Food Blog
- Weekly pictures of things I’ve prepared for my family or takeout from a restaurant
- E for Effort. I will try new recipes.
- Recipes on my blog once I’m better with measuring
Banana Bread
Over the past two weeks, you’ve probably seen a ton of pictures of banana bread on social media. I couldn’t resist making it for my family. After I mashed the bananas, I went to the pantry to find flour. Five minutes later and a call to my husband, I realized that he’d used the last of the flour to make cornbread dressing.
Rookie mistake: Always make sure you have all of your ingredients.
I substituted cake flour for flour – just add a little more than recommended in most banana bread recipes. Oh and if you’re using nuts, toast them before adding to your batter. Next time, I’ll measure ingredients.
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What’s your favorite meal to cook?
~Lamesha