blog crushes

Crushing On Deborah Harroun of Taste and Tell and Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

An interview with Deborah Harroun of the blog Taste and Tell, and her amazing, from scratch Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies.

I can’t think of a better way to start off the holiday baking season than with a festive cookie recipe from one of my favorite food bloggers Deborah Harroun, author of the food blog Taste and Tell, and her new cookbook Red Velvet Lover’s Cookbook.

If you don’t already follow her blog, Deb might still be a familiar face to FoodieCrush readers. She and her husband Josh along with their three children, Abbi, Easton and Camden (in utero!) joined me two years ago at the State Fair for an article in my summer issue of FoodieCrush magazine. They rode rides, hit the games and noshed on favorite fair food which Deb took back to her own kitchen and created fair-inspired recipes you can see here.

Deb has always been a huge supporter and inspiration to me and to FoodieCrush. So when she offered to send me a copy of her new cookbook, Red Velvet Lover’s Cookbook, I knew before even seeing it that I’d be finding plenty of delicious influences. These Cream Cheese Thumbprint cookies are pretty much just the start.

continue to the recipe… about Crushing On Deborah Harroun of Taste and Tell and Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

Crushing on Gina Homolka of Skinnytaste & Her Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

How does the cook in the family shed a few pounds while making a meal the whole family will still crave and love? In Gina Homolka’s mind, it’s simple. You just need to get into the kitchen and start cooking.

The challenges of weight loss has been a universal struggle that has made the popularity of Gina’s blog, Skinnytaste, the success that it is since it’s beginnings in 2008. And it’s the same exact reason her new cookbook has soared to the tops of the best-seller lists.

As the creator of both publishing endeavors, Gina Homolka has found the secret ingredient that resonates with her readers: she solves cooking conundrums for dieters by delivering calorie conscious, but still totally crave-worthy, lightened-up family favorite recipes that are painless to plan and create. In fact her Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and Broccoli clocks in at just 420 calories per serving. Say what?

Now with her first cookbook, The Skinnytaste Cookbook, legions of devout fans are going offline and straight to the cookbook shelves to discover recipes that she calls, “light on calories, big on flavor.”

This Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup is just one of the many of Gina’s recipes that have been tested, tasted and high five approved and I’m sharing the recipe, plus a giveaway for a copy of The Skinnytaste Cookbook, with you today.

Let’s dig in!

continue to the recipe… about Crushing on Gina Homolka of Skinnytaste & Her Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

5 Food Blogs I’m Following Now

As you read this I’m in Miami, FL, at a conference rubbing elbows with some of the greatest recipe developers, photographers and content creators on the www. Who are they? Food bloggers of course!

I’m often asked about new food blogs I’ve discovered, who I’m reading now, and where to find inspiration for great recipes and beautiful food photography.

Following is a short list of just some of the food blogs I’m following now. Some might be more well known, some could be flying under the radar. Either way, they’re spots on the web you don’t want to pass by.

If you missed them, check out past month’s Food Blogs I’m Following now.

Get April 2014’s list here.

Get March 2014’s list here.

Get February 2014’s list here.

And now, let’s get straight to the foodie goods.

continue to the recipe… about 5 Food Blogs I’m Following Now

Crushing on Scarletta Bakes and Breakfast Tostadas Plus a Giveaway

If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. We have a feeling that might the motto of this auburn-curled and witty dame behind the blog Scarletta Bakes. And the creator of these simple but amazingly tasty Breakfast Tostadas with Cumin-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes. Because she has flavor like that.

Her name is actually not Scarletta. The spunky, self-taught cook, blogger, photographer, and cookbook author‘s real name is Meagan Micozzi. Her husband affectionately penned the nickname “Scarletta,” for her tendency for her cheeks to turn a bit scarlet when she’s all fired up. Sounds like a girl after our own hearts.

Getting in the kitchen and baking seemed to be best way for this spitfire to simmer down, thus, Scarletta Bakes was born in 2011. Naturally, the Arizona resident’s favorite ingredient is chiles, and she’s often armed with the usual suspects…ancho, habanero, chipotle, and jalapeño. This girl is not afraid to pack a punch!

continue to the recipe… about Crushing on Scarletta Bakes and Breakfast Tostadas Plus a Giveaway

5 Food Blogs I’m Following Now

Happy Friday friends, and friends of friends and people in front of the screen / tablet / mobile phone who I love / am thankful / adore because you visit this blog and hopefully find something of amusement / interest / tasty to create.

This week we’re taking a diversion from my usual Friday Faves link / love / lust list.

I’m often asked about new blogs I’ve discovered, who I’m reading now, and where to find inspiration through great recipes and beautiful food photography. So now, on the first Friday of each month, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite food blog finds with you, the blogs I’m reading now.

With the preponderance of food blogs gracing the www, this list is far from comprehensive, and I doubt that even if I had 5,347 Fridays in my lifetime of blogging that I’d ever be able to skirt the surface of the number of food blogs out there that have so much to offer.

Rather, I’m hopeful these short lists will give you some new spots on the web to poke around and be inspired, or maybe remind you of what some of your current favorites are up to.

With that, here’s to another reason to celebrate Fridays and here’s February’s list of 5 Food Blogs I’m Following Now.

continue to the recipe… about 5 Food Blogs I’m Following Now

Crushing On Lauren Brennan of Lauren’s Latest, a Giveaway and Chocolate Cream Pie

I’m so happy to share Everyday Ingredients, Extraordinary Meals: 30 Ridiculously Simple Family Favorite Recipes with you, and the chance to win a copy of your own. But first a love letter to it’s author, Lauren of Lauren’s Latest.

When bloggers connect with their readers by sharing their life through cooking, magic happens. For Lauren Brennan of the food blog Lauren’s Latest, that recipe for success is one that’s propelled her to the top of the foodie blogosphere.

Lauren has a talent not all of us possess by making what she does look effortless. But I know the real deal, what’s behind her rosey glow and beautiful smile that creates an immediate, friend for life connection. I know the real secret to her success: Good, old fashioned, hard work is what’s behind this young wife as one of the web’s most creative content creators and comfort cooking powerhouse.

Like many bloggers, Lauren originally had a different career path in mind. She graduated from college with a Health Science degree and was a Developmental Specialist working with adults and children with developmental delays before becoming a stay at home mom to her newborn, now 4-year-old daughter.

And then the blog was born.continue to the recipe… about Crushing On Lauren Brennan of Lauren’s Latest, a Giveaway and Chocolate Cream Pie

Sweet and Spicy Popcorn Recipe

Before making the change to a low-sodium diet, Jess Goldman Foung, the author of the popular blog Sodium Girl, was like a lot of Americans who ate fried chicken and macaroni and cheese, not nearly enough servings of vegetables and rarely strayed from her comfort zone of basic food groups.

With a degree from Stanford and a budding career as a Development Manager, Jess was becoming an expert at fundraising and grant writing, and loved it. Her body, however, did not.

“The autoimmune disease, Lupus, was aggresively attacking my brain and my kidneys and after three months of chemo, dialysis, and amazing medical care, I survived. My kidneys didn’t, ” she says.

After researching and educating herself, Jess realized she needed to take her health into her own hands, and she started with nutrition. “I swore I would do what I could with my own two hands to help stay strong and live a full life and that meant going on a strict low-sodium diet. But I also happened to be an extremely stubborn person, who refused to eat dull food or miss out on anything life had to offer. So that meant rewriting the low-sodium rules.”

“After a tough-love session with my mother, who asked, ‘Do you want to live five years or fifty years?” I realized I needed to quit my job and find a career that let me take care of myself,” Jess acknowledges. “It wasn’t until a fateful day when I watched two movies back-to-back —Julie and Julia and then Food, Inc.—that I realized what I should do: 1) blog and 2) write about the power of food.”

And that she does with the release of her new book Sodium Girl’s Limitless Low-Sodium Cookbook.continue to the recipe… about Sweet and Spicy Popcorn Recipe

Chocolate Cherry Scones with Saffron

Whether he’s giving us multiple reasons to drool as he leads us on a visual culinary tour of some of his favorite eating establishments or sharing the bounty of his CSA with new ways to enjoy veggies Brian Samuels speaks about food the same way he would speak of his grandmother, with respect and love.

Brian’s popular food blog, A Thought for Food, is in many ways like many blogs: a collection of personal stories, observations and tempting recipes. But Brian delves beyond the surface of traditional food blogging and gives his blog something special: his heart and voice.

Whether giving his devout readers back to basic tips for making your own butter or creating new twists on classic favorites, Brian unapologetically shares his personality—the good, bad and the naughty often topped off with an inspiring cocktail recipe and drool-worthy photography—Brian creates a welcome space in the blogosphere to sit back and savor.

Thanks to shared snippets of restrained enthusiasm for the life he shares with his husband Eric, his dog Maki and good, good friends, both online and off, Brian creates a welcoming space in the blogosphere to sit back and savor.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Brian and learn more about his thoughts (no pun intended—well, okay, maybe…) on food, photography and social media. Thanks for taking a glimpse into the life of today’s foodie crush, Brian of A Thought for Food.continue to the recipe… about Chocolate Cherry Scones with Saffron

Crushing On Kristen Doyle of Dine and Dish and Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

There are some food bloggers in the webisphere who seem to have it all pulled together, with so many good things going right, making what they cook, photograph and share all seem so effortless.

Kristen with Dine and Dish is exactly one of those bloggers. She has a loyal following, creates family friendly recipes and shoots the most amazing Instagram photos—yep, that’s me, just one more of her Instagram stalkers.

Kristen is shares dutifully her #shotoftheday images on Instagram. Her coffee is never far from reach.

Kristen and her food blogging buddies at the CIA with Cooking Channel’s Jeffrey Saad

But Kristen’s blogging success isn’t due to the type of camera she shoots with, or the blogging buddies she pals around with. Kristen’s success is because she does it all from the heart. Her photos, her posts and her recipes are all a result of her authentic voice and passion for food and family.

My favorite Instagram photo of Kristen’s. See a selection here.

I’m so inspired after having had the chance to spend a Saturday morning coffee clutch with Kristen via the www.

Full disclosure: this was my first web chat and I didn’t have the HD setting revved to the max, so the quality is a little jiggity jaggity and while Kristen looks and sounds great, I seem to have been Tammy Faye Bakerized and developed a heavy eyelid (oh why didn’t I at least wear some fake eyelashes to blame it on?) so don’t let my non-stop blinking distract you from Kristen’s far more interesting words.

Kristen’s interview Part 1: Kristen dishes on how she got started in food blogging, cooking for her family—that includes 4 kids—her career as a successful writer despite a teacher’s discouragement and her favorite apps for taking great Instagram photos.

Kristen’s interview Part 2: Kristen talks about her Project 365, tells us where she finds her cooking inspiration, and shares her favorite photo editing software and the best way to back up your digital photos—yes, she lost over 2,000 photos last year.

I asked Kristen what her favorite dishes on her blog were so I could try one out. She gave me quite the list including Vanilla Butter Cookies, Bread Machine Challah, and Grasshopper Cocktails for St. Patrick’s Day.

But I was drawn to her recipe for Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs because I needed an easy dinner to get on the table that night and I’m pretty much always happy to swap out a few extra calories for some tender, juicy chicken.

It’s a must-try. And believe me, if you’re a white-breast-only chicken eater, step out of your comfort zone and don’t be afeared! Chicken thighs are NOT SCARY!

Get Kristen’s recipe for Baked Chicken Teriyaki Chicken Thighs here.

And now for a few words—in type—from Kristen about a few of her favorite things. Thanks again Kristen for being our foodie crush!

1. Describe your blog in 3 words:
Food, Family, Photography

2. If you could be one food blogger other than yourself, who would you be?
Oh that is so hard… I think Penny De Los Santos has some pretty incredible experiences. I wouldn’t mind being in her shoes for a day!

3. Which 3 blogs do you follow/are obsessed with/can’t live a day without?
I change up my blog reading habits so often (and am really bad about keeping up with anyone!) I have always loved the Shutter Sisters, I am currently obsessed with VK Rees and recently discovered Happy Yolks.

4. What is the one kitchen tool you could never give up?
I really love my bread machine. I can make bread without it, but having it do all the heavy work up front really makes it so much easier to make bread often.

5. What dish are you obsessed with mastering that you just can’t get quite right?
Pie crust! Ugh… I don’t know what my problem is but I can’t make a good pie crust to save my life. In fact, one day I was determined as heck to get pie crust right and made 6 in one day, with none turning out. I have followed every twitter suggestion, every tutorial, my mom’s advice, etc. and it just never turns out right.

6. What did you have for dinner last night?
Chocolate, margaritas, guacamole and pizza :) We had a girls night in with two of my best friends / neighbors. We ate what we were craving :)

7. What’s one secret talent outside of the kitchen nobody knows about you:
A secret talent…hmmmm. I really like getting to know people better. I can talk to anyone and often find that people are more than willing to open up to me in conversation (even about some things I’d rather not know about!)

8. You’re happiest when cooking/eating…
really good homemade bread and butter! I’m a carbs girl and bread is my weakness.

9. As a magazine writer, editor and successful blogger, you seem to have the whole work/family balance flow figured out. Can you share your tips with us on how we might be able to achieve that same level of even keel?
I wish I could say I have it figured out. I don’t… there are times when I feel like a horrible mom, blogger, wife, daughter, sister, friend, freelancer. I think the thing that helps me is a supportive husband who does all the laundry (which is a lot when you have 4 kids!). I also have learned since having my 4th kiddo to say no a lot more. I can’t be at every class party, every sporting event, etc. and can’t do every assignment pitched to me. Learning to say no and allowing myself to prioritize my life based on what brings me the most joy has become my central way of living lately. Does it sound bad to say I put myself first more often now? Obviously I have my families best interest in mind, but putting myself as a priority makes everything in my life run a lot more smoothly.

10. The one secret ingredient to your success is:
Staying true to who I am. I think when you aren’t true to who you are, people see right through that and know. I have tried on my blog and in my life to live authentically. I may not be the biggest or best blogger or photographer, but I have really tried to stick to who I am and to do things my way… even if it isn’t the most popular way. I will also say I don’t get caught up in the numbers and don’t consider blogging to be competitive. Paying too close of attention to “stats” can be crippling to your blog and your soul.

Thank you so much Kristen for sharing so much with us. There’s a reason you have such an ardent following, and if we didn’t know why before, I think we certainly do now.

XO!

Thanks for reading and please keep in touch. Subscribe to Foodie Crush and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest and check out Foodie Crush magazine

Crushing On Marla Meridith of Family Fresh Cooking

Let’s just start with the fact that she gets up each morning at 4 a.m.

Then let’s explore that she has a husband, a daughter who is turning 8 years old this week and a 4 year old son, all of whom constantly keep her on her toes. And of course there’s the consistent creating, blogging and networking—of which she’s become a social media master. Oh, and did I mention she does it all sugar-free?

Who IS this woman who doesn’t stop? Where can we get her Energizer Bunny stamina? It’s pretty simple really, just read her blog and follow her lead. Follow her to Energizerland.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie Tarts > Family Fresh Cooking

continue to the recipe… about Crushing On Marla Meridith of Family Fresh Cooking

Crushing On Bee Yinn Low of Rasa Malaysia and a Gyoza Recipe

As a big fan of Asian cooking—and certainly eating it—the super popular blog Rasa Malaysia was one of the first blogs my husband and I were converted to following. It’s easy and approachable take on what could be complex recipes, drill down to the basics. And to super flavor bursts of Asian delights.

As the petite powerhouse behind Rasa Malaysia, Bee Yin Low grew up in a family of great cooks and in a culture where food is a big celebration. She was born and raised in Penang, Malaysia–the food mecca of Malaysia—where Chinese food, Nyonya dishes, Indian curries, Malay sambal and Thai spices all became favorites and have influenced the Asian specialties she creates today.

Bee is a favorite among food bloggers and considers many of them her friends. She’s a driven lady, juggling between being a young mother, a blogging entrepreneur and adding new projects along the way.

And now Bee’s authored the cookbook Easy Chinese Recipes, Family Favorites from Dim Sum to Kung Pao, featuring over 80 Chinese recipes perfect for the novice cook and anyone that doesn’t have a Chinese restaurant right next door. Her years of preparing these dishes at home helped her narrow down her vast recipe collection, like the super easy—and yes, I will tell you that you WILL need nimble fingers—Gyoza recipe. Little purses of heaven I tell you. Just watch Bee and her busy fingers in the video below.

Oh, and she may call this her “blooper reel” but I think it shows off her real personality, and her love for that little bucket of chunk baby of hers!

Thanks Bee for being our foodie crush!

1. Describe your blog in 3 words:
Easy Asian Recipes.

2. If you could be one food blogger other than yourself, who would you be?
Robyn Eckhardt of Eating Asia.

3. Which 3 blogs do you follow/are obsessed with/can’t live a day without?
Not really blogs, but Foodgawker, Tastespotting, and Tasteologie because they allow me to discover new and amazing food blogs.

4. What is the one kitchen tool you could never give up?
My wok.

5. What dish are you obsessed with mastering that you just can’t get quite right?
It was probably egg tarts, which I shared the recipe in the cookbook. My egg tart custard was sinking after removing from the oven, but I finally perfected the “no-sink” egg tart recipe.

6. What did you have for dinner last night?
Fried shrimp fritters with sweet chili sauce, chicken with star anise and dried chilies in clay pot and a pot of nourishing watercress soup. With steamed jasmine rice.

7. What’s one secret talent outside of the kitchen nobody knows about you:
I am multi-lingual and speak five languages.

8. You’re happiest when cooking/eating:
Eating.

9. You signed the deal to create your first cookbook two years ago, and then created the recipes and photographs while you were pregnant. What was your biggest challenge during the process and your number one tip for aspiring cookbook authors?
The biggest challenge I had was the lack of props. Great photography starts with great and relevant props, that’s the reason why professional stylists bring suitcases of props when they work. Once you have a beautiful setting with nice props, food photography becomes relatively easy.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have many props to play with. Also, I was limited by my pregnancy belly. I couldn’t take the photographs at certain angles, for examples, ones that required me to stoop down, climb up on a chair for a top-down shot, etc.

My number tip of aspiring cookbook authors is that content is KING, create great and unique unique and great things will happen.

10. The one secret ingredient to your success is:
I am driven.

To celebrate the launch of her cookbook, Bee is pulling an Oprah and making her readers oh so giddy. Head over to her site to enter her Zojirushi rice steamer giveaway , signed cookbook giveaway and a ManPans stir fry wok giveaway. Contest ends Oct. 16, 2011.

Thanks for reading. If you liked this post, please subscribe to foodiecrush and follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest

Crushing On Deborah Harroun of Taste and Tell and Red Velvet Cream Cheese Thumbprint Cookies

Crushing on Gina Homolka of Skinnytaste & Her Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

5 Food Blogs I’m Following Now

Crushing on Scarletta Bakes and Breakfast Tostadas Plus a Giveaway

5 Food Blogs I’m Following Now

Crushing On Lauren Brennan of Lauren’s Latest, a Giveaway and Chocolate Cream Pie

Sweet and Spicy Popcorn Recipe

Chocolate Cherry Scones with Saffron

Crushing On Kristen Doyle of Dine and Dish and Baked Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

Get Kristen’s recipe for Baked Chicken Teriyaki Chicken Thighs here.

Crushing On Marla Meridith of Family Fresh Cooking

Crushing On Bee Yinn Low of Rasa Malaysia and a Gyoza Recipe

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How to Make Classic Macaroni Salad

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The Best Greek Chicken Marinade

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Get Kristen’s recipe for Baked Chicken Teriyaki Chicken Thighs here.

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