Twenty Questions with Iowa Girl Eats
This week’s feature comes straight from the midwest of the United States…but don’t expect Kristin to provide simple meat and potato recipes. Down-to-earth with a dose of healthy plus a twist of sophistication, Iowa Girl Eats is a fun blog you’ll be happy to visit!
How long have you had a food blog (or other foodie type site)?
Iowa Girl Eats launched in late March/early April 2009. Coming up on a year now!
How would you describe your site to new readers?
Iowa Girl Eats features step-by-step photos and recipes using fresh and unpretentious ingredients. Basically it’s a place to share my easy, tasty and healthy meals ideas!
What made you decide to start your site?
I stumbled on the world of food blogs while searching for recipes online one day, and was immediately hooked! After reading for several months I thought – I have a passion for cooking, and recipes to share, so, why not?
Is there any personal meaning behind the name?
I live in Iowa, and I love to eat – so Iowa Girl Eats just kind of fit!
What advice do you have for new bloggers?
Have a passion for what you’re writing about. If you don’t love it, chances are you won’t love blogging about it.
What’s the best thing about being a food blogger?
The best thing about being a food blogger is having an excuse to try new recipes and ingredients. I also love hearing from readers who have tried my recipes and liked them.
What the worst?
When I hear from a reader who tried a recipe that didn’t work out!
What food blog inspires you the most?
I really love reading the Good Life Eats blog. Katie’s food and recipes always look so fresh, exotic and special – yet, easy to prepare.
What camera do you use?
I use both a Canon PowerShot SD 1100 IS and, thanks to a great Black Friday sale, a Nikon D3000.
Do you have any formal training in the field of cooking?
I took a cake decorating class a couple years ago…although I haven’t decorated any cakes before or since the class!
Do you watch a lot of cooking on TV?
I enjoy watching Giada De Laurentiis and Ina Garten’s shows on the Food Network and love the Travel Channel’s food shows. They do a great job of showcasing amazing eateries across the country!
Do you have a favorite chef, celebrity or otherwise?
As I mentioned, Giada and Ina are two of my favorites. The recipes and ingredients they use are easy, accessible and taste so delicious.
How challenging has it been to find a loyal reader base?
I’ve been lucky to get a lot of local support which has been absolutely amazing. The rest has just come slowly, but surely. Slow and steady (hopefully) wins the race!
What types of food do you enjoy preparing most?
I love to make 10 ingredient or less, simple, hearty-yet-healthy, meals. Meals that are bursting with flavor, but don’t use a lot of butter, fat, etc.
Do you have a signature dish or two?
I’m getting pretty good at coming up with new baked tofu concoctions, and my husband will never turn down my homemade Chicken Noodle Soup!
Favorite kitchen gadget?
I have two – my pink Kitchen Aid mixer and a flat top skillet for the stove. Both are so versatile.
If you could choose to be any food, what would it be?
A Gyudon Beef Bowl from Yoshinoya in Japan!
If you could banish just one food from the earth, what would it be?
There are three that I would banish, actually. Down with cooked carrots, bell peppers and mushrooms!
What’s the one super power you wish you had?
To eat gooey, caramel brownies all day and not gain an ounce.
What’s your favorite thing about “Refrigerator Soup”?
Refrigerator Soup is unpretentious, fun and very supportive of food bloggers. RS is the best!
To see more of Kristin’s fabulous food photography, delicious recipes and to subscribe to her blog, please visit her at Iowa Girl Eats.
To learn about how you can get Featured, please email us at twentyquestions [at] refrigeratorsoup [dot] com. Note: Priority is given to those bloggers who consistently submit photographs, so please keep that in mind before inquiring. We are not adding to the schedule at this time as we are currently booked through mid-March, 2010, but welcome inquiries from those interested in being featured (we will respond to those inquiries sometime in February).
Featured bloggers from weeks past…
Twenty Questions with Une Gamine dans la Cuisine
Twenty Questions with Katiecakes
Twenty Questions with Sense & Serendipity
Twenty Questions with chaos in the kitchen
Twenty Questions with Behind the Skillet
Twenty Questions with Thin Crust Deep Dish
Twenty Questions with Guilty Kitchen
Twenty Questions with A Good Appetite
Twenty Questions with Sunita’s World
Twenty Questions with Spicie Foodie
Twenty Questions with Greedy Gourmet
Twenty Questions with Sweetopia
Twenty Questions with Real Mom Kitchen
Twenty Questions with Inspired Taste
