Q & A with Katie Workman, Author of “The Mom 100” Cookbook and Blog
Even if you love to cook and have dubbed yourself a master chef, dinner can sometimes be a hassle. Whether you’ve spent the day shuffling your kids around, or you had a bad day at work, the thought of preparing a home-cooked meal just doesn’t always seem ideal. Luckily, there are some people who seem to have it all figured out and have gotten dinner and hectic schedules down to a science. One of these aforementioned people is Katie Workman, Author of “The Mom 100” Cookbook;a life-saving cookbook filled with delicious, no-fuss, easily adaptable recipes, plus tips that every busy parent can use. We sat down with Katie and asked how she manages to get dinner on the table quickly, how she alters recipes to appease both adults and kids, and more! If you enjoy reading her tips, don’t forget to pickup a copy of The Mom 100, and stay tuned for her next book, Dinner Solved! coming out in 2015!
1. Your cookbook, “The Mom 100” contains easily adaptable recipes plus tips for surviving and staying happy in the kitchen. Can you share some tips with our readers on how you manage to provide tasty meals to your family while on a hectic schedule?
I spend some time at the beginning of each week “prepping my week,” which means I take out the food processor (which I love) and mince up a bunch of garlic, chop some onions, and some parley, peel and mince some fresh ginger. I’ll zest and juice some lemons and limes, peel a bunch of carrots and cut them into sticks ready for snacking or dicing for a recipe. Then, if I walk in the door at 6:30 I’m partway into the rep for whatever I am making that night.
2. We love your “fork in the road” recipes that simplify recipes for picky-eaters, but can also be made to ramp up flavors for adults. How do you get people to relax in the kitchen and try new variations on recipes?
It’s so easy to change up things and keep yourself from being bored. Swap out oregano for thyme, try lemon juice in a salad dressing instead of vinegar, test out a new spice on something your family already likes, like baked pita chips, or chicken breasts. Remember that the worst that can happen is that it’s not your thing, and move on to the next meal!
3. We were thrilled to see that many recipes featured on your blog included pasta! From easy one pot meals to more sophisticated creations,you seem to have a pasta dish for everybody. What are some of your favorite ingredients to pair with pasta?
Who doesn’t like pasta? It is one of the ultimate pantry staples, a dinner just waiting to happen. And I think basically everything pairs with pasta. I love to make pasta dishes with shrimp, with meat sauces, with chicken and mushrooms, with sausage and kale, and of course with cheese, especially any number of versions of macaroni and cheese.
4. What advice do you have for Moms with picky eaters? How do you introduce new food to your boys?
Try and try again. It’s a long game, not a sprint. And even when your kids do start to embrace something, like fish, it’s no guarantee that the tide won’t turn back and forth a few more times. But again, pairing something new, like cauliflower, with something they like, like noodles, makes it a better bet that they will give it a shot. Don’t overwhelm them with a too-big portion when you’re offering something new – small amounts are much less overwhelming. And asking them to taste something and advise on the seasonings (“Do you think this needs more salt?”) makes them feel involved in the cooking process, and can encourage them to be more adventurous.
5. We know that you’re a big supporter of Share Our Strength, a hunger relief organization dedicated to eradicating childhood hunger. We think the campaign’s mission is amazing and are impressed by the accomplishments the organization has made thus far. What food items do you recommend for families on a tight budget to get the most out of their dollar?
Of course I am going to say pasta! Seriously, it’s hard to imagine an item with more bang for the buck. Dried and canned beans for sure, and other grains. And frozen vegetables and fruits are also great, because you can stock up when they are on sale and not worry that they will go bad before you can use them up. Having a well stocked freezer is as important and can be as economical as having a smartly stocked pantry.
6. December is finally upon us and that means the holidays are right around the corner. With so many parties and tempting unhealthy food available, what advice do you have for those who want to stay healthy during the holidays?
When I am thinking about homemade gifts I certainly bake my share of cookies and so on, but I also remember things like homemade granola and salad dressings and marinades. Those make great presents and hostess gifts, and turns the focus off of the sweets for a bit. Also, eat the really good cookies, but skip the ones that are just meh.
7. We love pasta because it’s so versatile and can be made in conjunction with many other yummy ingredients. Can you share a favorite pasta recipe with us?
Just one? Fine. Macaroni and Cheese with a Parmesan Panko Crust
About Katie: KATIE WORKMAN is author of The Mom 100 Cookbook (285,000 copies in print), which was nominated for an IACP award and selected by Cooking Light as one of the best 100 books of the past 25 years. Her next book, Dinner Solved! will be published in August 2015. Katie also writes themom100.com blog, which won the Blog Her Voices of the Year award.
Katie was the founding partner and Editor in Chief at Cookstr.com, the website that shares tested, trusted recipes from cookbooks created by respected chefs and cookbook authors, where she established the popular Cookstr weekly newsletter. Before that Katie was a Senior Editor with Clarkson Potter Publishers for 12 years, specializing in cookbooks.
Katie has written for many popular website and publications, including The Wall Street Journal, iVillage and The Daily Beast, to name a few. Katie and The Mom 100 Cookbook have been featured in various national media such as The Today Show, VH1 Big Morning Buzz Live, The New York Times, and Food & Wine Magazine, as well as lots of local media. Katie also sits on the board of City Harvest, New York’s leading food rescue nonprofit, and for the past 20 years has been an active supporter of Share Our Strength, a hunger relief organization dedicated to eradicating childhood hunger.