 This year I'm interviewing the talented bloggers I've met over the years. First up, my good friend Nicole Cook from Nikkibtricky.com. Nicole is one of my favourite recipe developers and humans. I've made many of her recipes - all of which my family has loved! Watch this interview on Instagram hereTell me about the name Nikkibtricky - how did you come up with the name and is there a connection with the recipes you share? The name came from a nick name as a teen from my friends. They’d always call me Tricky. So, when I first created an account years ago on Instagram, I came up with the name Nikkibtricky, but it didn’t have much behind it, and wasn’t meant to be for blogging. I’ve always carried that same name and people in my city that I meet will even call me by my handle, which is hilarious. It’s always been a catchy name that stuck. When I started blogging, I just played on the name and used it to show case what I love to share, Tricks in the kitchen, and Tricks to staying trendy on a budget. It just worked. What’s your favourite dinner recipe (that you make for your family) and why? I would say it’s my chicken pot pie - Click here for the recipe - Click here to watch Nikki make it on Instagram. It’s such a comforting meal and it’s always a crowd pleaser. It’s something my whole family loves and even guests. It’s an easy recipe to modify too, so if I’m missing an ingredient or want to use another vegetable that I don’t want to go to waste, I can easily do that. If I ever have left over chicken or turkey I want to use up, this is a great recipe to help do so. Do you always serve up gorgeous Instagram worthy food at your house? Because when I think of mealtime at your house - it’s always colourful and beautifully plated! I really love to cook and I often do my best to cook a nice meal for my family. However, there are certainly days when I want a break or I’m simply not in the mood and those days are for take out, or chicken fingers and French fries (or whatever we can throw together). Dinner does not always look like an Instagram worthy meal, because that is just not real life. Even when I’m making nice meals I’m not focusing on plating (unless I am taking a picture). I’m focusing on enjoying the taste and the company of my family at the table. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in the kitchen recently? Probably that one time that I thought baking soda would replace baking powder (because I ran out) in my biscuit recipe. They looked the same once baked, but once we sat at the dinner table and took a bite, they tasted toxic haha. Note to self, there is a difference between baking soda and powder. They both help with rising baked goods but beyond that don’t assume they can replace each other. That was a fail. Your in-laws have just surprised you for dinner and unfortunately you are low on groceries. What do you cook them for dinner? I would cook either a Shepherd’s pie or a curry dish. Both recipes use simple ingredients and pantry staples that I would likely have the ingredients for. They’re also quick and easy to make. If that doesn’t work, then I’d order take out and support one of our local restaurants. If you were a food, what food would you be and why? I guess I’d have to be pasta lol. The reason for that is because pasta is my favourite food, so why would I want to be anything else? Plus, I’d like to consider myself a comforting and warming person just like pasta (at least I’ll tell myself that haha). - Click here for some of Nikki's pasta recipes! Is there anything you refuse to cook for your family? That’s a hard question for me because quite honestly, I love trying new recipes and I’m always open to trying new things. Though, if there’s one thing I don’t really cook and it’s mostly because my family and I don’t like it, it’s any boney fish, or recipes with raw fish. When it comes to fish I stick to shellfish, or white fish that I can buy boneless. Do you ever get tired of cooking and ask your husband to do it - or simply order in? There are definitely days when I get tired of cooking and want a break. On those days I love to enjoy some take out, or else my husband does sometimes put something together. He’s not much of a cook so if he’s preparing dinner it’s either something frozen, or really simple like a grilled cheese. Though to give him some credit, he is always very helpful in the kitchen. He often helps with any prep I need, like cutting vegetables etc, and he almost always helps with clean up, which I always appreciate. Visit nikkibtricky.com for more amazing recipes and |
