Switching To Your Own Domain....

You may be wondering by reading the title.....but this is one of the most frequently asked question to me and at most of the time I am null on the subject. When I was thinking to change my blog from blogspot to own domain, I had some queries bothering me and I approached Raks of Rak's Kitchen to answer them. She gracefully answered them with in no time. But as most of you have asked me lots of queries on switching to own domain, I thought of approaching Raks for a detailed post on the subject. She has done a fabulous job by making an easy to understand post along with covering all the topics related to the subject. If in case you thought of shifting your blog to own domain then this is the most helpful post. Thank you Raks for the awesome post, though it is just theory then also I must say, it is useful and interesting. Read on!

I am so glad to write guest post for one of my favourite blogger and wonderful writer who I admire :) I am not so good at writing. But hope I would be able to make understand you guys,who ever read this and hope it is helpful.

And regarding the topic, I am going to share the experience,things I know when I shifted my blog to my own domain. I started my food blog in the year of 2007, September. Ever since I was sticking to blogger as I was comfortable and loved it. After few years, I always had a wish to change my blog to point my own domain. So last year, I thought of buying my own domain, through the blogger itself.

Advantages of buying our own domain through Blogger:

• I am well used to blogger interface and by buying my own domain through blogger I can still use the templates, interface and everything remains the same.
• Its very easy to do, we just have to simply follow the instructions we get as we do the process.
• We need not worry about the redirection, they do for us, just we have to choose the option of old URL redirects to the new one. In the below picture, you can see that my old Blogspot URL is being redirected to my new domain URL.

• Many of us get this doubt after changing to own domain, how our URL will be taken in search engines and what will happen to the old URL of our posts… But we need not worry, search engine criteria automatically transfers from our old Blogspot URL to our new domain URL. But it takes some time for sure.
• Another question, some friends asked me when they had a thought of buying an own domain is, do I need to design my page, should I know HTML for it and few other things like this. But if you do it through blogger, you just have to sit back and relax, nothing changes, from your dashboard to everything remains the same as you were having before. All you get is a fancy name, which ever you like, makes you feel you have a professional website.
• Then you may ask why I need to buy a domain on my own? Then the answer is you will sure get a better traffic through search engines. That’s for sure which I noticed personally.

Storage for our pictures:

This also remains the same. As you use blogger to post, our pictures get automatically stored in our Picasa web albums. Its same as when we are using the free blogspot address, nothing changes basically.

So what are you waiting for? If you have a dream to buy your own domain, just follow the simple instructions and do it through the most friendly blogger interface! Its cheap too. Yearly you have to pay only $10 USD.

• In blogger dashboard, under Settings, locate Publishing.
• Click on the ‘Add a custom domain’ link. I have shown it in my test blog.

• Choose your dream domain name and check for availability.

• If the name you have chosen is already owned by some other person , they give other suggestions for your domain name. You can either choose from it or choose another fancy name by yourself.

• If the name is available, you can proceed to register the name for your site and it will take you to Google checkout, you will be needed to pay annual fee of $10 USD.

• You will get an email with receipt for the domain registration. And that’s it! You are done with the purchasing of your own domain!!

• It will take as much as 24 hours for your blog to link to your own domain, so you have to wait for it. Till then also you can go to your custom domain by clicking on your home page after you go to your blogspot address.

• So after that, your original blogspot address will be redirected automatically to your new custom domain , you need not worry.

• And all your old, pictures will remain the same and will be displayed as usual.

• Even you can use an external service for displaying your blog pictures like flickr or photo bucket. All are compatible.

• All the old links will work, where ever you have mentioned it. How cool it is ?! Right :)

I wont say "disadvantages", but the things we have to keep in our mind :

• Yearly registration updates are required, that is we have to pay yearly $10 USD. You can either pay yearly using any of the payment methods, or put in auto payment option, so that from a chosen credit card, the money will be automatically paid.

• Some of my friends had delays for the comments to appear on the older posts. Say 3-4 days, though I had no problems.

• Picasa is a free storage service for our pictures, but still there are storage restrictions, so better keep an eye on your storage in your online albums. Make sure you have enough space. Resize your pictures properly and use the storage wisely. But there is always an option to upgrade your storage, by purchasing anyways.

• When you switch to new domain, the page rank falls to Zero and it takes a while to gain our old traffic, but sure you will get more than before…

• But I am not sure what happens to the automatic transfer of search engine reputation from the blogspot URL to the non blogspot URL, if it will be repeated or not, if you decide to go back to the blogspot URL. This needs attention only if you are so much concerned about your traffic through search engines.

2 - Minute Microwave Chocolate Chip Muffins

These days all the time I got to sit bit my computer is at night. By the time I complete my work on post it will be mid night and sometimes I feel dam hungry. Sometimes I fix up my hungry tummy pangs with a chocolate or biscuit or very rarely with fruits…but sometimes when I am in good mood or having little more patience to make anything then microwave muffins are my choice. They can be made in jiffy with no fuss and mess. Sometimes I feel like having a muffin with a warm cup of coffee in the evening…then I call for these beauties…What if, if some close friends are coming late in the evening after dinner, these can muffins are what I bake for them….as they are instant and yum…For all those mid night hungers, instant snacking or unexpected bunch of friends at an uneven time….my answer is these marvellous looking 2 minute microwave muffins.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup All purpose flour/Maida
• ¼ tbsp. Baking powder
• Pinch of Baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup Icing sugar
• 50 gms. Butter, room temperature
• 2 Eggs
• 1 tbsp. Vanilla essence
• ¼ cup lukewarm water
• 4 tbsp. Dark Chocolate chips

PREPARATION:

• Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and icing sugar for 2-3 times.
• Beat eggs, vanilla essence and add butter. Mix gently.
• Now slowly, pour in the sifted flour mixture to the beaten eggs and mix slowly. Add water and mix.
• Scoop the muffin liners with the above mixture till ¼ of its size and sprinkle dark chocolate chips.
• Place these filled liners on the microwave turntable and microwave on high for 2 minutes.
• Last but not least add your 'love' to make the dish 'YUMMY'.
• Once done take out and leave them to cool for 10-15 minutes.

NOTES:

• I used silicone muffin moulds. There are easy to unmould the muffins.
• I bought those silicone muffin moulds and chocolate chips at MK Retail, Indira Nagar in Bangalore.
• If you won’t have paper cases or muffin liners then you can grease the muffin mould with butter and dust with flour. Then scoop the batter.

• Sifting the flour 2-3 times helps in combing the mixture well and avoids lumps.
• Microwave timing can differ depending on models. Mine is 20 lit. capacity IFB Microwave with 1200 W.
• To check whether the muffins are done or not, insert a toothpick at the center. If it comes out clean then muffins are ready.

These muffins are going to participate in Chocolate Mela @ Cooking 4 all seasons, MEC - February hosted by Veena, event by Srivalli of Cooking 4 all seasons and also at Anjali's first cooking event Cakes, Cookies & Desserts @ Spice n Sugar.

Rich Chocolate Fudge With Mixed Nuts

Over the years, my love has grown and grown more for only one thing…I can never say no to it and can never think of leaving it….not even if I am 100 kilos fat….J…did you read that….? Yeah that’s the love I share for chocolates…..If I am reading something, I will nibble chocolate, if I am happy, I call for a chocolate celebration, If I am sad, I need a chocolate to melt my sadness….chocolate been my best friend ever since my childhood…..

My little sister says, she finds a chocolate wrapper in each and every book I use to read….till date you can find one or two chocolate wrappers in the books I read….I don’t know why…but I never feel like throwing the wrapper……According to me…eating chocolate’s is a therapy…a luscious bar…when unwrapped from the gold foil….it gives soothing sensation to the senses….when you bite into it…when it starts to melt slowly by combining with the juices in your mouth….and when it slid through your throat…..Ummm….Muaahhhhhhhhhh…..it’s an yum experience……wait let me grab one to continue the post….

Today’s post is all about chocolate….it’s simple in making, it’s rich, creamy, nutty and yummy chocolate fudge I ever made….I followed a simple recipe to gratify my senses…Whole lot of variations are mentioned below…try them and get yourself pampered…..You can even make these beauties for your loving valentine. ….For those who thought I ran away with those delectable looking rich chocolate fudge pieces, here is the recipe for it….

INGREDIENTS:

• 150 gms. Dark Chocolate, grated
• 100 gms. White Chocolate, grated
• 300 gms. Condense Milk
• 1 tbsp. Vanilla essence
• 1 tbsp. Butter, optional
• 1 cup mixed Nuts (Cashews, Almonds, Walnuts & Pistachios)

PREPARATION:

• Using double boiler method or in a microwave safe bowl melt dark chocolate, white chocolate, butter and condense milk.
• Stir the mixture’s occasionally until the chocolate has completely melted. Now add vanilla essence and give the mixture a gentle stir.
• Line a baking tray with parchment paper/butter paper/foil. Pour in the contents into the tray and using a spatula spread evenly about ¼ inch thick. Sprinkle nuts evenly and tap the pan to settle the nuts into chocolate layer or gently press with your fingers to settle the nuts on top.
• Leave the tray in the fridge for 1-1½ hour or until the chocolate fudge turns firm. Using a sharp knife cut into pieces or desired shapes or just break down to small slabs.
• Last but not least add your 'love' to make the dish 'YUMMY'.
• Refrigerate in ziplock bag until use.

NOTES:

• As you can see it in the pictures, I have used chopped Almonds, Cashews, Walnuts and Pistachios.
• I used heart shaped cookie cutter to shape them.

MELTING CHOCOLATE:

• DOUBLE BOILER METHOD: Take two bowls, one large enough to fit the second one on top. Grate the chocolate and place it in small bowl. In the large bowl, add water and fix in the small bowl with chocolate. On a low heat using a spatula give a gentle stir till the chocolate gets completely melted. Always remember the water in the lower bowl should not touch the upper bowl (the bowl with chocolate).
• MICROWAVE METHOD: It’s easy and simple. Just add grated/chopped chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and melt it on high for 1- ½ minute, by stirring for every 30 seconds.

VARIATIONS:

Run your imagination wild and you can have much number of variations…..here is a list of few which you may love making….

HOT AND SPICY DARK CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Just add a pinch or more of mild flavour red chilli powder for that spicy hot fudge.

MINTY DARK CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Crush Polo peppermint and add it to the chocolate mixture.

DRY CANDID FRUITS FUDGE: You can even add dried candid ginger, dried apricots, cranberries, etc. as your fudge topping. It enhances the flavour and colour of the recipe.

SINGLE NUT FUDGE: You can simply add any one of your favourite nut to the topping and name it as Pistachio – Chocolate Fudge or Almond – Chocolate Fudge, etc.

NUTTY OATS FUDGE: Toss oats and add them along with nuts to the topping of chocolate layer.

PEANUT BUTTER NUTTY FUDGE: Skip off white chocolate and add 2 tbsp. of peanut butter. Rest is same.

NUTTY NUTELLA FUDGE: Instead of white chocolate add a cup of Nutella (at room temperature). Rest is same.

MARSHMALLOW – CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Add marshmallow at the end of the recipe before pouring the content into the baking tray. Mix well and sprinkle with nuts of your choice.

TOUCH OF ROSE - CHOCOLATE FUDGE: You can even sprinkle some dried rose petals to make the fudge look extremely appealing…

INDIAN TADKA CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Roast some sesame, peanuts and pumpkin seeds and sprinkle them on top.

CARAMEL CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Drizzle off some caramel sauce on the topping for that extra touch of flavour.

COCONUT CHOCOLATE FUDGE: Add one cup of freshly grated coconut to the above recipe for that extra crunch.

COCOA FUDGE: Finally for all those who may be wondering what to do if you don’t get chocolate bars/compounds to make this recipe. I have recipe for you too. I found this recipe on Nestle Condense milk can,

INGREDIENTS:

• 400 gm. Nestle Condense Milk
• ¾ cup Cocoa powder, I used Cadbury’s brand
• 4 tbsp. Butter
• 2 tbsp. Vanilla essence
• 1 cup mixed Dry fruits (Almonds, Cashews, and Pistachios)

PREPERATION:

• Sieve cocoa powder and set aside. In a thick bottom vessel, add condense milk, butter, vanilla essence and mix well. Now add cocoa powder and give the mixture good stir until the ingredients are completely mixed.
• Place the vessel on low heat and stir until the mixture starts to leave the sides. Pour into baking tray lined with butter paper and sprinkle on desired dry nuts. Refrigerate until set and cut into desired shapes.
• Last but not least add your 'love' to make the dish 'YUMMY'.

That's my little angel seriously picking up the cookie cutter....

As this post landed up just before the valentine's day...here is a perfect picture to say...Happy Valentine's Day....

These rich and delectable fudge pieces is going to participate in Valentines Day Recipe Contest @ Lifezing, Chocolate Lover Event @ Daily Cuppa, Sweet Luv @ Zesty Palette, Lets Cook For Valentines (Chocolates/Hearts) @ simply.food, Dish For Loved Ones @ Srav's Culinary Concepts, Valentines Fest - Served With Love @ Sizzling Tastebuds, MCTR's first event Love n Chocolate Fest @ My Culinary Trial Room, Let's Cook - Sweet Somethings Event @ Tickling Palates, Chocolate Mela @ Cooking 4 all Seasons and also to Valentines Day Special @ Anzzcafe.