Tasty Delights's interview

Interview by Gitanjali

We interviewed Tasty Delights!

Visit the blog: Tasty Delights.

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Check out our Marissa's blog for delicious and nutritious healthy food!

Hello Tasty Delights, so tell us...

When did you begin your blog, and what inspired you to start it?

I started blogging after meeting a group of women on a contest site and becoming close to them, finding out what they did for fun, their personal life, likes and dislikes. Many of them had blogs and they encouraged me to write and blog about my foods. I did and have been blogging and entering contests for 3 years now.
We are still friends and we have a Facebook page called Canadian Cookies...many of us compete and have won several food related prizes.

Are you involved in the blogging community - how do you attract new readers?

Working part time and blogging doesn't give me too much extra time. I attract new readers through word of mouth or when I like someone's page they see mine and they then join my site or I enter contests with my blogging name and I get referrals or new readers then.

Who are your culinary influences?

I am proud to say I have 2 culinary influences. Italian and Canadian. But, my love of learning about food has enabled me to enjoy other cultures through books and ethnic friends. Some of my other faves are Asian, Jewish and Spanish foods but, I am always learning.

If you could be a contestant or guest on any cooking show what show would you choose?

I tried out for Recipe to Riches 2 years ago and made it down to the interviews but didn't get selected!
I think I would love to accompany Guy Fieri on Triple D...that way I could learn how other cooks/chefs make their dishes. I am not interested in the highly competitive shows because they cause a lot of tension and I don't get to see the recipes...always want to learn. My kids call me the Italian Martha Stewart..tee hee

What is your earliest food memory?

I have been cooking since I was a child. Me earliest memories would be to read a recipe in English to my Italian mother so we could make cakes from a box! That was a thrill for my mother who had never seen packaged food and for me I was learning the terminology that I had not yet learned.

I have been making homemade pasta since I was a child as well. Every Sunday a farmer friend would give my mother quail eggs (can you imagine?) and it was my job to break those tiny eggs because I was so small and wouldn't crush them...I still remember it took 32 eggs to make enough pasta for me and my 4 brothers.

Do you have a secret ingredient, a product you use a lot that is unexpected or that helps you save time?

A baking secret ingredient is to always grate/zest orange/lemons/limes into baked goods. It lends an incredible fresh taste and aroma. I always roast my nuts in the oven when it is preheating. This adds so much more flavor to baked goods. I really am disappointed when a cookie or cake looks fabulous but has no flavor...it is such a simple thing to add to foods.

My cheat product would be to use cake mixes when I am in a hurry for baked goods.

A product I use is dairy free milks when I make "cream" foods. This is low in calories and still gives you the luxury of a creamy food. Since I am lactose intolerant it doesn't make me feel deprived as well.

Is there any dish, ingredient or type of food you refuse to cook? Or anything that you refuse to eat?

Being of Italian origin we eat just about any vegetable, fruit or meat. But, I don't look for exotic animals or things that sliver; eels, snakes, crocodile, simply because I am not a big carnivore and I am happy not damaging the ecosystem of the planet. I am also not crazy about game but will cook it when I am gifted these types of meats.

Do you think that eating delicious food and eating healthy at the same time is possible?

Hello! Of course that's what my site is all about. In fact most home made foods are delicious and healthy! I hope I am teaching my readers that you don't have to have the heavy, fattening calories to eat well and be happy and satisfied. My dinner guests can attest to that.

What are your goals for your blog? Where would you like to see it in the next year? Five years?

I would love to be an ambassador for products that I would feel comfortable endorsing, to bring in some extra income.
I am already doing 2 things I had never thought of; blogging and entering contests and winning !

Anything else you would like to share?

I am a mother of 3 beautiful kids all in College and University. I have been teaching fitness for 22 years. All levels from Mom and Baby classes through to Older Adults on land and water. My husband is a Phys Ed teacher and my children teach swimming as well. So we are a fun loving, healthy family. I enjoy teaching my kids and their friends how to cook and I am so happy when they phone me for advice about foods. They only one I have not been able to successfully teach is hubby!

Thank you Tasty Delights for answering our questions and see you soon!
Published by Gitanjali - 04/04/2014

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