Is it ok if I do some spring cleaning today? I don’t normally beg for comments, but today I’m begging. I’d love to hear your feedback so that I can make this a better – and easier – place for all of you!!
1 – How many of you use Ziplist? I actually discovered it months ago, and started using it to make my grocery lists. I love it because I can use an app on my phone, and if my husband thinks of something he wants or needs, he can add it to our list from his phone. Then, when I’m at the grocery store, I can use my phone for the list and cross things off as I’m shopping. After falling in love, I decided to add the Recipe Box feature to my blog. It’s been here for quite awhile (you can find the link up on the toolbar on the top of the blog) and it is what powers both the “Save Recipe” button and the print function on the recipes. My question here is how many of you use this service? (If you aren’t, no big deal, but I highly recommend it!!) I’ve been going back through old recipes adding the buttons to make it easier, but I just wanted to see how fast I need to be working. I want to make accessing and saving recipes as easy as I can, so I’d love to know if you are using the feature!
2 – I am planning another website re-design. It probably won’t happen for a couple of months, but what kinds of features would you guys like to see? What makes a blog easier to navigate for you? I know my archives need some major work, (they are the main reason I am doing a re-design) and I will definitely have a visual index to make finding recipes even easier and better. But what else would you guys like to see?
3 – This is just out of curiosity, but as I was checking my Facebook feed last night, another blogger had asked if people prefer just a picture of the finished dish, or if they prefered step by step pictures as well. I’m just curious to see what you all think. Personally, I’ve never been a fan of the step by step photos, because how many ways can you show adding a teaspoon of salt? And I don’t like going through 20 pictures to get to the recipe. But – I was surprised to see how many people like the step by step photos. I’m not saying I’m going to change to step by step, (mostly because I’m not very good at them and they are quite a pain), especially for a recipe like the one I have here today. I really don’t think anyone needs a pictorial guide to throw a few things in a pan and warm them up. But, that being said, maybe I’ll start doing some extra photos for recipes that are a little more complex. If that’s what you all want. (Although so many of my recipes are so easy that I’m not sure step by step photos would even be necessary…) Just curious!!
That’s all the questions for today. And really, if you could spare a minute or two to let me know what you think – I want to make this as user friendly and easy for all of you!!
And now onto these sliders. Talk about an easy dinner. This is one of those “I don’t want to cook tonight” kind of dinners. Or one of those “I have a crowd to feed tonight and I need something easy and delicious” dinners. Who wants a plain ham sandwich when you can have one of these sliders? I’ll take one of these any day.
Make these. Enough said.
Hot Ham Sliders
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 pound thinly sliced cooked ham
- 8 sliced smoked provolone
- lettuce and sliced tomatoes
- 8 slider buns
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler.
- In a small saucepan, combine the barbecue sauce, ground mustard and garlic powder. Heat over medium heat. Add the ham and stir to coat. Cook until completely warmed through.
- Top the bottom of each slider bun with some of the barbecue ham. Top with a slice of provolone. Place under the broiler for a minute or two, just until the cheese has melted. Top with lettuce and tomato, then the top bun and serve.
Try one of these hot sandwiches from other bloggers:
Louisville Hot Browns on a Dutch Crunch Roll from Barbara Bakes
Italian Heroines from Taste and Tell
Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches from Babble
Turkey and Cheese Sandwich from Pham Fatale
French Style Tuna Melts from Taste and Tell
Amy says
These sliders are exactly what I was looking for! Can’t wait to make them. Does ZipList charge to use their service?! I was looking into it as well – but didn’t get too far. Things are always so crazy around here.
I do step by step photograghs, which can be a pain (for me) sometimes, with all the handwashing in between, but I do like them. I think it is a great determining factor of how hard a recipe will be when I am looking at other people’s blogs. It kinda gives me an idea of whether or not I want to get that involved. 🙂 But to be fair to those that don’t like the pictures, I had my husband add a little hide pictures box which instantly takes away the pics. It’s the best of both worlds! Have a great weekend!
Deborah says
@Amy, Ziplist doesn’t charge – you should check into it – I love it!
The Meal Planner says
Hey Deborah!
1. I’ve never used Ziplist. I just pin recipes when I want to save them to make later.
2. Two things I’ve looked for on your blog over the years has been a link to a list of all the cookbooks you’ve reviewed over the years. I wanted to read your reviews and see what recipes you cooked from each cookbook, but I’ve never really found that. I would also love some kind of link list to all your Rachael Ray recipes. I want to browse which ones you’ve made and stuff and would love a way to do that.
3. For me step by step pics don’t matter. They are fine, but not necessary.
Love your blog Deborah! Keep up the good work 🙂
P.S. I know you needed to drop something because you were too busy, but I totally miss your cookbook of the month series.
Deborah says
@The Meal Planner, I’ve been working on a page where I link up cookbook reviews that I’ve done, but it is going to have to wait for the redesign because of some functionality issues. But it will be there! And I’ve never thought of adding a place to link up RR recipes – that’s a great idea!
grace says
what gorgeous images of a delicious meal! you’re doing some good work these days, deborah!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes says
I need to use Ziplist more. Love that you use it at the grocery store on your phone. I usually skip over the step by step photos to get to the recipe too. This looks like a great weeknight meal. Thanks for the link love.
Shawn @ I Wash...You Dry says
1.) I have not heard of ziplist before, but it sounds like an app I need to download on me and my husbands phones!
2.) I like your blog, it seems easy enough to navigate.
3.) I do the step by step photos, but am trying to steer away from doing them so much. I think you have the right idea. Pictures of the more complex steps. Your pictures are great by the way! 🙂
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
What an easy dinner! Perfect for those exhausting weeknights when you come home from work and you don’t want to do or cook anything!
As for the step-by-step photos, I agree. It would definitely be more helpful with complex recipes, like those involving yeast! My ultimate fear.
Heather of Kitchen Concoctions says
I’ve seen Ziplist on other blogs but have never looked into it. I think I must check it out. I actually think you have a good clean blog. I am in desperate need of a blog redesign myself and would love to know if you do your design yourself or if you use someone. And regarding pictures, I completely agree with you. I really don’t need to see how to measure salt or crack an egg. I like to see 2 pictures of the final product (from different views) and that is plenty for me. But I think you have a lovely blog and have enjoyed it for years!
Maria says
I love ZipList and my readers seem to enjoy the feature as well. I am excited to see your new look. Site redesigns are always a pain, but worth it in the end-usually:) I don’t do step by step photos, but I know some people like them. It is not my style. I am simple. No time to take them with a baby:)
Kendra @ cookingwithkendra.net says
I’ve never heard of ziplist. I’m gonna have to check it out!
I’m a fan of finished photos. But either is great!
The sliders look good! So easy 🙂
Cassie says
These sliders look awesome, Deborah. I love anything in mini-form!
As for Ziplist, I don’t use it. I am a paper list kind of person and I don’t see that changing any time in the future. I like my paper and pen. I don’t use it on my blog either, so I just haven’t spent much time getting to know it. I love your current design, it’s very easy to navigate and find what I need. For photos, I enjoy seeing a few photos in one post but I am not a fan of step-by-step photos. Hope that helps, looking forward to seeing a new design!
Jennifer | Mother Thyme says
I have looked into Ziplist but that is as far as I gotten. I think people that do use it are happy with it and that is why I have thought about it but I don’t know what who much work is involved with transferring all the recipes I already have saved. I think there are some advantages of using it such as the save features and adding ingredients to your shopping list like you mentioned so it is definitely something to consider.
At one point I did do some of my posts with a few step by step photos but like others have mentioned it is time consuming so I have held back on doing that as often as I used to. Maybe start out with just featuring a few steps that are key on preparing a dish or just on dishes that are more complicated.
I love your blog design! So I can’t offer you any suggestions on things to change but will be anxious to see what you do. 🙂
Oh, and I love these Hot Ham Sliders. My hubby would go crazy for these. Thanks for sharing!
Joanne says
Well, I don’t use ziplist but I’m also only cooking for myself. When I have a family…who knows. I’m not a fan of hte step-by-step photos. I feel the same as you…if you don’t know how to add salt to a dish, you probably shouldn’t be reading a food blog!
Julie B. says
I love love LOVE Ziplist and I really appreciate the fact that you use it on your blog. It makes things so easy.. thank you!
I enjoy step by step pics when I am making the recipe because it’s a good guide to know what it is supposed to look like at which step.
Chels R. says
O-M-G- I want one of these so bad right now! I’m literally drooling all over myself!
Julie @ Sugarfoot Eats says
Step by step pictures are so time consuming!!! But I have to admit that if I’m MAKING a recipe from a blog, I enjoy the pictures. But if I’m just perusing it…the excessive pictures annoy me.
Krista says
These are all questions I want answered too! We totally need to chat about the website re-do…I need help. I just joined ranks with ZipList and love them! The sliders look fabulous, perfect for a picnic.
Bev Weidner says
I’ve never heard of ziplist! Or maybe I have and don’t remember.
I like a FEW step-by-steps. Of the major stuff. And I make those pictures smaller, so the reader isn’t sleeping by the time the post is over.
I WANT THOSE SLIDERS.
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
I love ham sliders! These look so delicious, Deborah. Definitely a tasty, easy option for lunch or dinner. Thanks for sharing!
Alaine says
I personally love step by step pictures of the dish. I can quickly scan the post and get a really good idea of the dish. Plus, saying whip egg white into a stiff peak can mean different things to different people, but a picture is cut and dry.
Kalyn says
1. I am a fan of Ziplist, and it’s a great feature for readers.
2. I will e-mail you with some thoughts I have about the design of your blog.
3. I just have two things to say about step-by-step photos. Pioneer Woman and Simply Recipes. The two most successful food blogs in the world both do them. I resisted the idea for years, but when I started doing them my traffic really went up. I do agree that too many can be annoying; I have kind of a limit in my mind about how many I do. But there are more people in the world who feel re-assured at seeing a photo of just how the dish should look at a certain step than there are who don’t need them. For your blog, maybe one less post a week and do the step-by-step photos would be a good change.
Wishing you all the best with the changes!!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Step by step; it’s a balance. I don’t want 20 pics but sometimes a couple is nice…but as the blogger/cook it’s way more work. Stopping & starting, wiping hands to tak pics, more to edit & upload, etc. If you can swing it, they’re a nice touch but not always practical.
Ziplist..was contacted to use it but would have to do tons of re-formatting and changes and coding I can’t even embark on all that right now….ha!
Julie @ Table for Two says
I’m not a fan of step by step pictures because it just takes SOO much longer to cook one dish and i personally don’t have the time for that. i usually cook the weekends, and more than 3-4 dishes too to get content for the blog and that already takes a heck of a lot of time, i can’t imagine stopping to take pics of every step–i tried once or twice and it was just too much!
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos says
I have been loving Ziplist – saving recipes in one place and being able to add them to my grocery list – total time saver for me, except when I get to the store and my phone dies because it’s been a long day 🙂 I think step-by-step photos are helpful when it may be an unfamiliar method, but not necessarily for things that are basic. Can’t think of anything I’d change about your sweet, delicious blog!
kelley {mountain mama cooks} says
I don’t use ziplist. It’s just not my thing. I prefer a good ol’ piece of paper and pen. With that being said, I see why it’s been so popular because I think it could be a great tool. I’m personally not a big fan of step-by-step posts. I agree, it’s too much to get through. And, really, I know how to cream cookie dough. I do, however, appreciate a photo of key steps or ingredients that really highlight the recipe. For instance……a photo of ham floating in deliciously spiced bbq sauce! Hope you had a great weekend, Deb!!!
Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama says
These Sliders look yummy.
Ziplist…. never heard of it. I’m going to check it out now!
As for step by step photos… I used to them on my blog, but it’s to much work and I’m kinda lazy! But as a reader, I do not really care for step by step photos mainly because I know how to cook and bake and I don’t need them. Though I think there are allot of people out there that probably need the visual on some techniques. Though seriously… I don’t think anyone needs to see how many tbs of butter go into a dish the written directions are enough.
Becky says
I love the look of your site, but I always love change too. Can’t wait to see the new look. Also, I am not a fan of the step by step pics. But if there is a step that is hard to explain, a couple extra pics can be helpful.
Missy G says
1) Just found Ziplist a month or two ago and haven’t really investigated all its capabilities.
2) I agree with Rosa–clean is king. When I’m looking for a recipe, I don’t want to wait for a gazillion graphics to load…which leads to step-by-step photos
3) Step-by-steps annoy me. I don’t need to see a picture of all the ingredients because that’s in the recipe, right? If I were a beginner, photos might be helpful, but as it is I just wanna see the recipe.
Robyn says
I don’t use ziplist, and I also don’t think step-by-step pictures are necessary. I hate scrolling through 20 pics just to get to the recipe. I agree with your idea–just post the extra pics if they need to be posted.
I don’t really have any suggestions for your new website–I just love your recipes! Hope you guys are doing great, I’m sad we won’t still be neighbors when I make it back to Utah. 🙁
Jenny Flake says
Delicious!! WE are nuts about sammy’s in our house. WE could gobble up these in no time 🙂
Rosa says
Lovely sliders!
I don’t use Ziplist. A clean design is always king. I don’t mind step-by-step pictures, but they are not a must, unless the rtecipe is difficult…
Cheers,
Rosa
amanda @ fake ginger says
I’ve been struggling with the step-by-step decision as well. It seems like the majority of readers enjoy them but like you said, how many pictures do you really need to see of someone adding a teaspoon of salt to a dough? I don’t know.
I don’t use Ziplist but I do think it’s a fun service. And I have no suggestions for a re-design because I already love your site. 🙂
Love these sandwiches! I’ll be making them once football season rolls around!
Colleen @ What's Baking in the Barbershop?! says
1) I love the ease of these hot ham sliders! They look delicious and perfect for an easy weeknight meal.
2) I don’t use Ziplist but I’ve heard good things. I’ll have to check it out!
3) With regard to photos, I was going to say what you said… Perhaps with more complicated dishes, step-by-step photos would be nice. For simpler recipes, they’re not necessary!