Small Bites: Summer on a Plate

This week, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Paula Mohammed from In My Kitchen with Paula. Paula and I share a love of good food, connection, and exploring different cultures.Paula told me all about how she started In My Kitchen back in 2018 to bring people together and celebrate traditional recipes. We also talked about her podcast, where she shares amazing culinary stories from cooks all over the world. One of my favorite parts of our chat was hearing how online cooking experiences unexpectedly took off during the pandemic—and how food continues to be such a powerful way to connect.We got into everything from the joy of learning from passionate home cooks, to navigating cultural appropriation in the kitchen, to dreaming up future online classes we’d love to co-host. I can’t wait for you to hear this one—it’s all about food as a bridge, and the magic that happens when we gather around a meal.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:12 Paula's Podcast Journey02:20 Cultural Connections Through Food03:33 Challenges and Pivots05:34 Exploring Iranian Culture08:10 Food as a Cultural Bridge21:17 Building Connections Through Virtual Classes23:11 The Joy of Cooking Together Online25:51 Acts of Kindness and Culinary Stories29:38 Cultural Appreciation in Cooking36:16 Final Thoughts and Community EngagementYou can find Paula at www.exploreinmykitchen.compod on all major platforms:  inmykitchenwithpaulaIG:  @inmykitchenpaulaFollow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchenLearn more about Menopause Meal PlansSign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen

As the seasons change, it's time to reset your kitchen and life for fall. This week you'll find practical tips for getting back into a cooking rhythm. From pantry refreshes and meal planning to setting routines and embracing small wins, this episode is packed with advice to help you enjoy cooking again. It also touches on mindset practices to make cooking a pleasurable experience. Don't miss the upcoming free Mediterranean masterclass on September 18th for more tips and inspiration.00:00 Welcome to Fall: Embracing Change00:47 Adjusting to an Empty Nest02:17 Finding Your Cooking Mojo03:22 Practical Kitchen Tips for Fall03:43 Pantry Refresh and Meal Prep09:37 Exploring New Recipes and Mindset10:40 Meditation and Mindset Shifts13:45 Planning and Rhythm for the Fall14:30 Join the Mediterranean MasterclassRegister for the September 18 masterclass by clicking here: EmptyNestKitchen.com/masterclassFollow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchenLearn more about Menopause Meal PlansSign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen

Let's talk about the importance of eating seasonally and locally! From making simple no-cook sauces to grilling the perfect seasonal vegetables, you'll find insights to make your kitchen a place of joy and discovery. 00:00 Welcome to the Empty Nest Kitchen00:25 Seasonal Cooking: A Journey Through Summer01:17 The Importance of Eating Seasonally01:58 Restaurant Tips for Seasonal Eating04:12 Fun with Figs and Kitchen Gadgets05:14 Creating Delicious Seasonal Dishes06:06 Splurging on Quality Ingredients07:19 Simple and Flavorful Cooking Techniques09:04 Appreciating Seasonal Produce09:47 Join the Empty Nest Kitchen Community10:44 Masterclass and Final ThoughtsFollow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchenLearn more about Menopause Meal PlansSign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen

Join me in the Empty Nest Kitchen as I share expert tips and techniques for cooking with garlic. From selecting the perfect garlic bulbs to using raw and roasted garlic in various dishes, we'll covers it all. Learn how to store garlic properly, the benefits of different garlic forms, and even get a sneak peek into my mini course 'Just Add Sauce'. Discover how to bring out the best flavors from this magical ingredient and enhance your culinary skills.00:00 Welcome to the Empty Nest Kitchen00:34 The Magic of Garlic02:14 Choosing and Storing Fresh Garlic03:57 Alternatives to Fresh Garlic06:31 Using Raw Garlic08:29 Roasting Garlic for Deeper Flavors10:22 Experiment with Garlic10:40 Join My Mini Course11:14 Conclusion and FarewellFind more information on Just Add Sauce: The No-Cook Mediterranean FixFollow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchenLearn more about Menopause Meal PlansSign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen

Let's dive into the excitement of fig season with a joyful celebration of fresh figs. From tips on selecting the perfect figs at the store to storing them properly, you'll learn how to make the most of these delicate fruits. Discover a variety of delicious ways to enjoy figs, including making fig jam, pairing them with cheese, creating a fig salad, and even making a fig pizza or flatbread. This episode is packed with creative ideas and culinary tips. Join the fig appreciation and share your culinary creations using fresh figs!00:00 Introduction to Fig Season00:30 Personal Fig Tree Journey01:29 Selecting and Storing Fresh Figs03:02 Delicious Fig Recipes and Pairings04:34 Creative Fig Dishes07:14 Final Thoughts and Fig VenturesFollow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchenLearn more about Menopause Meal PlansSign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen

Find fun and creative way to enhance summer meals with no-cook sauces in your Empty Nest Kitchen. Christine shares her tips and tricks on making flavorful sauces without turning on the stove, perfect for the hot summer months. You'll learn a simple framework using fats, acids, and flavor enhancers like fresh herbs. Christine also introduces her new mini-course, 'Just Add Sauce,' which provides detailed guidance on creating and remixing various no-cook sauces, emphasizing ease and adaptability for small-scale cooking.00:00 Introduction to No-Cook Sauces00:46 Why No-Cook Sauces?03:16 The Basics of Sauce Making05:01 Creative Sauce Ideas08:24 Practical Tips and Tools09:04 Challenge and Conclusion10:49 Special Offer: Mini CourseFollow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchenLearn more about Menopause Meal PlansSign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen

In this episode of the Empty Nest Kitchen, cooking expert Christine Van Bloem shares her love for peaches and explores various ways to enjoy this summer fruit. From simple sliced peaches to gourmet salads and savory meat pairings, Christine provides detailed recipes and tips that highlight the natural sweetness and versatility of peaches. Learn about the importance of keeping it simple to let the flavors shine and tips for complementary ingredients to create balanced dishes. 00:00 Introduction to Peaches00:38 The Perfect Peach03:04 Peach Salad Ideas06:04 Cooking with Peaches and Meat10:41 Grilled Peaches for Dessert12:27 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFollow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchenLearn more about Menopause Meal PlansSign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen

Let's explore fun and creative ways to cook with zucchini, a quintessential summer vegetable. From practical advice on picking the best zucchinis to three delightful (and easy!) recipes, your zucchini wishes are ready to become reality. Tune in to learn these simple yet delicious methods to make zucchini a hit in your kitchen.00:00 Welcome to the Empty Nest Kitchen00:27 Zucchini: The Ultimate Summer Vegetable02:19 Choosing the Perfect Zucchini03:44 Delicious Zucchini Recipes08:39 Zucchini Boats: A Fun Twist10:18 Protein-Packed Zucchini Egg Bites14:49 Wrapping Up: Zucchini Tips and TricksFollow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchenLearn more about Menopause Meal PlansSign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen

Let's dive into the world of corn. Get practical advice on choosing, storing, and cooking corn (keeping the husk on until right before consumption is important!). With tips for using corn in various dishes like salads and pancakes, and a unique microwave method for cooking, you'll find a delightful and informative guide to making the most out of fresh corn.00:00 Introduction to Corn Talk01:00 Corn at the Farmer's Market03:25 Choosing and Storing Corn06:52 Microwave Corn Cooking Hack08:06 Creative Corn Recipes09:21 Corn Salad and Vinaigrette13:24 Corn Pancakes and ConclusionFollow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchenLearn more about Menopause Meal PlansSign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen

Let's kick-off the summer cooking series 'Small Bites', focusing on short episodes under 15 minutes. Each week will highlight a different food or technique, starting with summer tomatoes, covering tips on choosing, using, and storing them for optimum flavor. 00:00 Introduction to Summer Cooking Series00:57 Choosing the Perfect Summer Tomatoes03:09 Storing Your Tomatoes Correctly04:00 Simple and Delicious Tomato Recipes06:28 Making the Perfect Panzanella11:47 Roasting Tomatoes for Extra Flavor12:46 Conclusion and Upcoming EpisodesFollow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchenLearn more about Menopause Meal PlansSign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen