This Natalie Slater interview reveals how, as a new mom, this foodie took her passion for recipe development to a new level, started a blog turned website, and generally became a source of vegan recipes inspiration.
1. How did you start Bake and Destroy and what inspired you to create it?
Bake and Destroy started as a personal blog. I was a new mom, working from home as a nanny. Prior to that, I’d worked in a bakery and in several cafes so my background was in food.
I spent naptime cooking and baking and I’d blog about life with the baby and the occasional new recipe. Eventually, I started hearing from other “alternative” moms who also loved to cook and bake and I made it a bit less personal and a bit more about the food.
Source: Bake and Destroy
2. What is your favorite recipe to cook?
I prefer quick and easy comfort foods, so one of my favorite things to cook (and eat) is “Noochy Noodles“. It’s really just pasta coated in nutritional yeast and olive oil (or vegan butter) but it reminds me of the buttered noodles I ate as a kid. Plus, nutritional yeast is high in protein and B-12 so it’s nutritious as well as comforting and easy to make.
Source: Bake and Destroy
3. What does a healthy meal mean for you?
For me, a healthy meal is a well-balanced one – a good mix of fiber, protein, vitamins, carbs, and healthy fats. I don’t stress too much about every meal being a perfect balance, but I try and make sure I’m getting some good stuff with every meal.
4. Your favorite kitchen tool?
I use my Vitamix more than anything else, for smoothies, soups, creamy sauces, all kinds of things.
5. Which chefs or cooking bloggers inspire you the most?
Terry Hope Romero and Isa Chandra Moskowitz are my two biggest inspirations. They pioneered vegan food blogging as far as I’m concerned, and their cookbooks are the most-used ones in my kitchen.
6. The best cooking advice you ever heard?
A long time ago, a friend asked me: “What are you, scared?” when I wouldn’t try a new food. It made me realize how silly it is to be afraid of ingredients you’ve never tried before. Worst case scenario, you won’t like it – who cares? So I guess “Don’t be scared“ is my favorite cooking/eating advice.
Leave behind your fears and try that vegan recipe that you’ve been scared of for so long. For inspiration and a confidence boost, don’t forget to check and follow Natalie Slater’s website and also the Bake and Destroy Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.