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How did you get started cooking?
I started cooking for my family and friends when I was in college. My Granny Alice was a cook in the St. Paul Public Schools and instilled in me the love for cooking. I am a self-taught chef and I read cookbooks like others get lost in novels—analyzing all of the ingredients, techniques and pictures. I make recipes that are sometimes healthy and sometimes hearty and I started my blog, Dining with Alice, several years ago because family and friends were looking for new and creative ways to use ingredients around the house. I also have a competitive spirit and love entering food competitions and contests in the Minnesota State Fair each year.
Where do you get your creative and fun recipes?
When you love something—you are always thinking about it, and my thoughts wander between my baby girl, my husband, and cooking! While I am always brainstorming odd combinations of ingredients throughout the day, my best ideas come to me late at night when I’m trying to fall asleep. I love that my brain thinks about ice cream, pies and burgers late at night instead of worrying about other stressful things. I love the challenge of looking in a bare cupboard or at the farmer’s market and coming up with something new and exciting. I’m a busy mom and professional so making things easy and accessible for people is very important to me when creating recipes.
What’s your favorite cooking show?
I love Diners, Drive Ins and Dives on the Food Network. I love seeing all the new and creative ways people are cooking across America. I’ve checked out the featured places in the Twin Cities and when I travel I always look up to see if there’s a triple D near by to check out.
When you aren’t cooking for your family where do you go to eat?
We head to the Blue Door Pub in St. Paul when I’m not cooking-we even have punch cards! It’s a small burger joint that appeals to my creative side with unique stuffed burgers and great sides like Cajun tater tots. They have an amazing appetizer that is stuffed with cream cheese, pickles and spam and they have my favorite beer, Lift Bridge’s Farm Girl on tap.
What’s the food gadget you can’t live without?
I can’t live without my food scissors. I think I have 3 pairs because I use them so much. They are great for fast veggie and fruit chopping, cleaning meat, preparing herbs and even trimming pie crusts!
What is your favorite Minnesota State Fair food?
Honey Sunflower Ice Cream-it’s a hidden gem. I think about it all year long and get it every time I’m at the fair. You can find it in the AG-HORT-BEE building at the state fair.
To stay connected with Alice and check out her newest recipes, become a fan of her facebook page, Dining with Alice or visit her blog at http://diningwithalice.blogspot.com/
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