Since I have started the blog, I have been getting a lot of questions from you all about myself and what has inspired my passion for cooking...
Pictured: Cinnamon Oatmeal With Almond Butter & Fresh Blueberries
..So over breakfast this morning I thought it would be fun to switch it up and give you a little more insight to who I am. You may be wondering why 16 questions and not 20.. well that’s because it’s my favorite number. Look how much you’re learning already! Haha. Please feel free to comment or reach out via social media with any questions of your own too!
What is your favorite holiday? Definitely Christmas! I wish it lasted longer. There’s such a magical feeling in the air leading up to December 25th and having little kids makes it all the more special. The movies, holiday meal planning and shopping for others (not to mention alllllll the cookies) are just a few of my favorite things!
Do you have any siblings? I am the baby of the family. I have a brother who is 6 years older and a sister who is 9 years older. Shout out to Petey and Jackie!
Where did you grow up? I was born on Long Island, but moved when I was young to Massachusetts so I consider myself a New Englander through and through. Go Red Sox!
Do you have a least favorite kitchen task? Shredding cheese. I don’t know exactly why but for some reason I always pass this prep work on to Timy, my husband.
What kind of music do you like? I don’t discriminate when it comes to most music, but I love me some Jam Bands and Bluegrass, especially live. I always have music playing while I’m cooking.
Pick one dessert you could eat everyday for the rest of your life. Hm, tough!! I think I would pick pie. I love all pie but the classics apple and pumpkin are my favorite.
What is a go-to dinner that you make at least once a week? We use our grill year round here, so one of our go-to dinners is Seasoned Grilled Chicken, a Big Salad and then I make some sort of side like Roasted Sweet Potatoes or Stuffed Mushrooms. I do make Tacos at least once a week too!
Where did you learn to cook? I soaked up a lot of my cooking knowledge from working in restaurants. Asking a ton of questions about ingredients, process and techniques that the chefs were using and then I would try to apply to my home cooking.
Favorite TV show? Tie! Between Gilmore Girls. (Which I am not sorry or ashamed in the least to admit I have watched it on repeat for probably 10+ years). And Top Chef! Top Chef isn’t just a tv show in our house it’s an event. Once a new season comes out, Timy and I make bets on who will take the title and we watch every week planning our meal around where the season takes place. It’s a whole family affair too, my son Jamason loves it and always asks “Who is Padma going to say ‘pack your knives’ to this week?!”
Does your food have a style? If I had to give my cooking a specific style, I would say it’s just good home cooking. I try to use real, seasonal ingredients and I love taking a common dish and seeing if I can add a twist or new technique on it. Example: lasagna. I love, LOVE this meal and my moms lasagna sets the bar high. I like to make mine with handmade pasta, a bolognese and béchamel. I think taking the time to try and make whatever you can from scratch really makes a difference. But to be clear, I am not opposed to using store bought ingredients for certain things too. Balance! Especially with a family of hungry boys to feed!
Is there something you are intimidated to cook? I don’t cook a lot of lamb. I am definitely eager to try my hand at braised lamb this winter and bread making. I think it’s an art form to achieve the perfect boule of Sourdough or a beautiful 6 braid Challah and it seems a bit of a daunting task to me, but I am willing to practice, practice, practice.
Do your kids eat everything you cook? Yes and no. Wilder, my 1 year old is a growing little beast and will eat almost anything we put in front of him. He usually gets most of the ingredients of the meals I cook. Jamason has really blossomed over the past year and has been more adventurous in trying new foods. I think this partly to him partaking in the cooking process more often. I do cook quite spicy sometimes, so I always make sure if I’m making something for everyone that I turn the heat down or make two batches: one mild and one hot.
Where have you travelled? I have been to Western Europe; Holland, Italy, France, Belgium and also London. Timy and I took a road trip around the United States when we first met and I got to see & experience the many cultures within America. I’ve been to Mexico and the Caribbean. I look forward to when we can safely vacation again because there are so many food destinations I want to explore including: Pacific Northwest/Wine Country, Back to Europe and more specifically back to Italy. Too many other places to name!
Besides cooking what are some of your hobbies? I love to read, get outside for walks/hikes with the family and I recently took up watercolor painting just for fun. (I am no Monet). There’s always a pull towards crafting during the fall & holiday season. I once bought a 30-pack of Martha Stewart Glitter and made every Christmas card by hand. I know. Sorry family for the holiday glitter explosion!
Do you have any influencers or icons? I wouldn’t say I have any one icon in particular, but as a whole, I think that chefs who are able to make an empire out of what they love to do is inspiring. Strong women like Martha Stewart, Rachel Ray, Padma Lakshmi are all trailblazers for using their platforms to show that not only being a great cook is important, but having an empathic voice and being a good human gets you farther and reaches more people and I admire that.
What’s your favorite cocktail? I am a seasonal creature of habit (is that an oxymoron?!) I like to sip rosè in the spring, margaritas in the summer and red wine in the fall/winter. Champagne with Raw Bar, ALWAYS. Cheers!!
Pictured: Cinnamon Oatmeal with Almond Butter & Fresh Blueberries
Oatmeal: single serving
Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Organic Quick Oats
1/4 Cup Water (Sometimes I use Unsweetened Almond Milk)
2 Tbsp. Almond Butter (I use smooth, but crunchy would be great too!)
1/3 Cup Fresh Blueberries
1/2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
In a small saucepan, heat the water on medium heat until boiling.
Turn the heat off and mix in your Oatmeal and cinnamon. If you like it thicker, gradually add the water to achieve the consistency you prefer.
Spoon the oatmeal into your bowl and drizzle almond butter and blueberries on top. Enjoy!
**This recipe is so easy and so adaptable! Feel free to substitute the berry for tart raspberries or blackberries or the almond butter for peanut or cashew butter.
Please comment and share your pictures on my social media pages of this recipe and be sure to hashtag #alliesfeast Thank you!!
-Alexandra
Comments