Everyone, meet Shannon of Bakergirl Creations. Shannon, meet everyone!

Shannon is the latest interviewee of my Chewing The Fat foodie interview series, not only because she’s a food blogger (about sweet, sugary, delicious baking) but also because she will be doing some guest blogging here, and I wanted to introduce her first. So all you sweet-tooth people (and those who are truly terrified of baking), get ready for some recipes and ideas on this culinary art from the lovely Shannon in the coming weeks.

Tell us about yourself. My name is Shannon Sterling.  I work for The University of British Columbia as a Student Development Officer.  My role has me supporting and working with students who are engaged in their academic and co-curricular communities.  My work really focuses on leadership development and training as well as transition programming and support for new university students.  When I get home, I am a self-professed foodie.  I love to read recipes, surf blogs, garden and dream up random creations that take their inspiration from many places and people.  Add to the mix a love of reading and a new indulgence of golf and I’m pretty busy – not that I’m complaining!

Is there a certain food or dish that reminds you of home?
There are lots!  My mom was an avid cook and baker.  Some of my first memories are of me sitting on the counter watching her make batches and batches of whatever it was that struck her fancy.  If it came to a meal I would say my mom’s slow baked spareribs might top the list.  They were the “go to” meal when we had company.  It was also something we always did together, so there are great memories there.  They were sweet, savory and full of garlicky goodness.  They don’t make it onto our table very often because they aren’t the healthiest of proteins, but every once in a while a great treat.  If it was baked goods, hands down it would be my mom’s carrot cake.  Super moist.  Raisins, nuts, carrots and cream cheese icing to die for.  It is the one recipe she says is a “family secret” not be shared…

What is the ideal Shannon meal?
That’s a very difficult question.  It totally depends.  Are we going for ease?  Comfort? Indulgence?  If I’m cooking, and this is my ideal meal, it would have to start with a nice big cool class (or two) of Pinot Grigot or Pinot Gris.  I love puttering around the kitchen with a glass of wine in hand.  It feels so civilized.  The meal itself, I suppose would have to include a big fresh salad with homemade dressing, probably a spinach, feta and apple salad with bacon vinaigrette… seriously so good.  Mushroom risotto with lots of ooeey gooey cheese is something I make often and with ease, not to mention it is filling and has all those tasty meaty mushrooms in it.  The protein would have to be campfire cooked steak.  Whenever we go camping we only cook over the campfire (provided there are no campfire bans!) and the steaks are always amazing, there is just nothing like that on a gas grill in my humble opinion.  Finally, what meal would be complete without a dessert?  And pie is my favourite to make and to eat.  Pies of any variety are sweet and yet savory with the perfect flaky buttery crust. Fresh blueberries are on the brain right now, so I might say a blueberry pie, ala mode of course!

What are you having for dinner (or dessert) tonight?
Dinner tonight has to be easy and relatively heat free because we are amidst a heat wave right now.  I think it will be a chicken and Soba Noodle chili lime salad.  We have company
coming so I want it to be easy and stress free.  More time chatting, less time in the hot kitchen.  Dessert is going to be homemade chocolate ice cream with blackberries on top.

Is there one food that gives you the heebie jeebies?
As a kid I was pretty adventurous and willing to eat just about anything.   I love to try new foods and to incorporate them into my home cooking.  The only thing that I can remember actively turning down was chicken feet!  There is just something about the look if it that makes my skin crawl, sorry to those good friends who swear they are so good, I just can’t go there!    Though I am apparently really missing out, so maybe one day I will take the plunge and try my first chicken foot…maybe!

What do you say to people who don’t like baking because it’s too ‘by the book’?
I would say, no you don’t!  I am a self-professed poor recipe follower.  I read recipe books like novels.  I never tire of them, they inspire.  Yes, baking is more of a science, measuring  is certainly important to the makeup and chemistry of the piece.  However, you can modify and personalize as you become comfortable.  Everyone has to start somewhere.  Think about elementary school, you didn’t just freehand your alphabet the first time did you?  No, you probably traced a whole bunch of your ABC’s.  Baking is like that, the recipes are dotted lines or your training wheels and then once you get the hang of it you can start personalizing and making it your own.

What are you plans as guest blogger here?
I want to share my love and passion for food and for the process of creating memorable meals.  I also love connecting stories to recipes.  I hope that I hear from readers or other fellow bloggers what it is they are making, why they love it and what inspires them to create and experiment in the kitchen.

Tags: Bakergirl Creations, Chewing the Fat: Foodie Interview Series, Jackie Connelly Photography guest blogger

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