Quirky Jessi's interview
Interview by GitanjaliWe interviewed Quirky Jessi!
Visit the blog: Quirky Cookery.
Hello Quirky Jessi, so tell us...
When did you begin your blog, and what inspired you to start it?
I started my cooking blog because a friend of mine loved the food art pictures I kept sending and asked why I wasn't sharing them online, too. I was an avid food blog reader at the time, but because I was "just playing with my food," I didn't think I was good enough. I wasn't sharing recipes or fancy photos...they were just the foods I was feeding the kids. Later on, I realized that other people should be able to have fun in the kitchen and that maybe my tutorials or ideas would help them enjoy cooking again.
Tell us more about your Quirky Bentos.
When people hear the words "bento box," they usually think Japanese food. They might know them as mostly rice and/or fish, or they may have seen some really fantastic bento art creations online. What I found, though, is that when trying to prepare healthier lunches for the girls, bentos were the perfect solution. I used the "American" foods they knew and loved still, but learned how to portion and arrange them correctly.
What is your earliest food memory?
My family still teases me about how when I was little, I would be eating lunch and would ask what was going to be for supper, ha! I remember my mom's birthday cakes from over the years, too, but I don't know for sure which ones came earliest.
Do you have a secret ingredient, a product you use a lot that is unexpected or that helps you save time?
Pumpkin is a secret ingredient that always surprised people. No, I'm not talking about the pumpkin spice trend either! I use fresh pumpkin and mix it into all sorts of foods like spaghetti sauce or chili to add a boost of nutrition without greatly altering the taste. I use it in brownies, too, and no one has any idea!
Is there any dish, ingredient or type of food you refuse to cook? Or anything that you refuse to eat?
I HATE raw celery. The texture, taste, and even smell are very difficult for me to tolerate. I'll still prepare it for other people, but you'll never see me eating fresh sticks with ranch dressing or ants on a log. No thanks!
My worst food flop was...
The panda bread a few years ago. Oh boy. I had seen it made online to where when you sliced the loaf of bread, you can see the outline of a panda face. When I attempted it, my bread rose so much that it completely distorted all the colors. No one even knew what I was even trying. I ended up tearing it apart and turning it into super ugly bread pudding instead. http://www.quirkycookery.com/2012/12/the-ugliest-bread-i-have-ever-made.html
Thank you Quirky Jessi for answering our questions and see you soon!
Published by Gitanjali - 10/14/2014
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