It’s Wednesday so that means more “Bites with Bloggers” and today I have Natalie back from Food Fetish! We met Natalie last week when she graciously shared a recipe for Whole Wheat Beet and Oatmeal Bars as part of the “Bites with Bloggers” guest blogger series. Today she is back for a little interview, about herself and her love of cooking, in a new series I am calling “Dishin’ it Up!”
Inspired by recent interviews I did with some popular chefs, I wanted to shine some light on some of my favorite bloggers and get to know them better (who says only famous chefs can hold the spotlight?). I hope that I can continue to include these “Dishin’ it Up!” interviews as part of my “Bites with Bloggers” series on a regular basis.
As I mentioned last week, Natalie is one of the handful of bloggers I have had the pleasure of knowing in ‘real life’ and she is just as sweet and cheerful in person as she comes across on her blog. She is super busy and active in the community (I don’t know how she has time for everything and keep up with blogging) and I was excited to learn today that we both have the same taste in music!
So welcome back Natalie! Keep reading below to find out a little bit more about Natalie as she ‘dishes it up!’ And be sure and show Natalie some blogger love and check out her blog, like her on Facebook, and follow on Twitter, you know, and everywhere else!
Blog: Food Fetish
Twitter: @NatalieParamore
Facebook: Food
Fetish
Instagram: Natalie
Paramore
Pinterest: Natalie
Paramore
About Natalie: I began my love affair with cooking when I was a little kid. I used to call my attempts at cooking “my experiments”. My mom would find them stuffed in refrigerator doors or in the pantry. While in college, I began cooking more and more. I love to try new foods, and I am always impressed when someone shows me a recipe or flavor combination I have never heard of! I started my blog as way to document “my experiments” or new recipes. Starting a blog has been one of the best things I have ever done. It has expanded my knowledge base and introduced me to some many great people!
Tell us about yourself, your blog, and why you started blogging.
I started my blog as a creative outlet. I really wanted something I could pour myself into. It wound up being great to have all my recipes documented as well. Somewhere along the way I have become really into photography and I am beginning to dabble in web design. It has been invaluable to teach myself useful skills like PhotoShop and WordPress, I learn something new every day!
What is your typical day like?
My typical day starts at 5:30am when I drag myself out of bed to hit the gym before I go to work. After work I usually have meetings for different groups that I am involved with or volunteer for. Then I come home walk my dog and usually start cooking it up in the kitchen!
Where did you learn to cook/bake?
I started cooking in college because I was so sick of eating out. Plus, I wanted to learn how to have a healthier lifestyle.
Do you have any special food traditions?
Nope! I will try almost anything. When I cook, I love to challenge myself and make different things.
Besides cooking and blogging what are your hobbies/interests?
I love to read, travel and hangout with my dog, Mimi. I also love getting outside and being active.
What is your favorite or most used cookbooks?
The Flavor Bible. It’s a flavor index that is so useful for helping you create your own recipes!
If you could meet or cook alongside any famous chef past or present, who would you choose?
Nigella Lawson!
What are your favorite blogs or what bloggers would you like featured here?
Joy the Baker
Pinch of Yum
Do you listen to music while you cook? If so what are your favorite bands/artists to listen too?
I usually don’t but when I do, I love Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Mumford and Sons, Florence and the Machine and Swedish House Mafia.
Are you a TV junkie? If so, what are your favorite cooking and non-cooking shows?
Yes! I love everything on Bravo and HGTV. I’m also really into Downtown Abbey and Homeland right now.
What is your favorite restaurant(s)? What is your favorite thing on the menu?
Uchi– Hama Chili (Austin, Tx)
Elizabeth Street Café– Beef Short Rub Bun (Austin, Tx)
What are your best blogging tips and/or advice?
Post often and take the best pictures you can!
What are your best cooking tips and/or advice?
Have fun and experiment, you never know what awesome flavor combination you’ll come up with!
What cooking gadget/appliance can you not live without?
Garlic peeler! I love fresh garlic but hate peeling it.
If you were a flavor of ice cream what flavor would you be?
I would probably be coffee gelato… maybe mixed with cookies and cream!
The top three things food/cooking related on your bucket list?
Macarons, Coq Au Vin and Monkey Bread!
What recipe(s) on your blog are your reader’s favorites?
Kitchen Sink Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt
Crispy Kale and Chickpea Salad
Bananas Foster Bread Pudding
Thanks again Natalie for ‘dishin’ it up’ and sharing a ‘bite’ of your life with us! I have had that Kale and Chickpea Salad on my ‘to make’ list for a while and can’t wait to try it!
*All photos courtesy of Food Fetish and used with permission.
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