Dear Gina,
You had me at hello, that very first email you sent to my inbox with the most delicious recipes ever. I followed you, I copied you, I ate like you. Every food you touch turns magical. My family eats well, my toddler’s palate is wide-ranging, and I am a happy mama.
Okay, okay. I could go on and on about my love for Gina Homolka over at Skinnytaste and her cookbook, but I’d rather tease you for a bit about what’s been cooking over here at Fit Bottomed Mamas. I was so excited to have the opportunity to play around in the kitchen with the new cookbook. Here’s where I tell you to stay focused, because once I start talking about all of the dishes, you’ll be logging into Amazon to order your book. I don’t blame you, this is a MUST in any kitchen, but first, let me make every mama happy (and drool a little).
I tried many MANY recipes; all were husband and toddler approved! I tweaked here and there to suit our tastes; for instance, recipes that call for sriracha, I used half of the amount recommended (even if it was one tablespoon!). Yes, I am that sensitive to heat and my mister isn’t the biggest fan either. I won the whole family over with the Sweet ’n’ Spicy Sriracha-Glazed Salmon; this recipe was the perfect way to spice up a fish dish (especially since my husband gets bored with fish quickly!). He didn’t speak most of the meal and it went down rather quickly! The salmon glazes over with the sauce quickly and then cooks slowly the rest of the time. By Gina’s recommendation, I served it alongside her Roasted Sesame Green Beans. I admit that I don’t think I’ve ever roasted green beans — typically, I throw some olive oil and garlic in and sauté them. But I loved the roasted version, which preserved the natural crunch. Heaven, dinner was heavenly. I loved it so much I made extra and threw it over a bed of greens the following day for lunch, I just could not get enough. I served it over quinoa with some black beans and edamame for my mister for lunch too!
Fried Chicken got a makeover with her buttermilk Over Fried Chicken recipe, which I served alongside the recommended cheesy cauliflower mash. YES! It didn’t take any convincing for my boys and no explanation, it was gone … quickly! I could tell you every single recipe I made. I could tell you about the Orecchiette Sausage, Baby Kale and Bell Pepper Recipe that made us turn our kitchen into little Italy. Or I could excite you over the Chicken Rollatini Stuffed with Zucchini and Mozzarella that melted in our mouths. Instead, I’ll tell you WHY I loved this book. Not only was each spice and every sauce spot-on for our taste buds, but the recipes were easy to follow. I didn’t question any of the steps, and nothing was too overwhelming while having a toddler running around my kitchen and tearing it apart. I appreciated Gina’s explanations throughout the recipes and within the book to help finding my way around the grocery store. It can be so confusing in the food world, with all the mixed information and different definitions of what healthy is. Gina’s explanation is not biased in any way, it doesn’t lead me to make a decision she would make. It simply provides me with the knowledge to take charge of the food I choose for my family and understand what all the information means.
I promise I won’t leave you hanging — tomorrow I’ll share a recipe to try out for yourself.
Any cooking websites have you smitten? If you love Skinnytaste and want to enter to win her book, leave us a comment below. We’ll choose one U.S. winner in about a week to win a copy! -—Jennifer