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The SITS Girls

The Secret to Success is Support

A Food Blog with a Passion for Cooking

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I am loving today’s featured blogger: Paige from Recipe Paiges. It is totally normal to want to take her home with me so that I can munch on her amazing chocolate mint brownies and we can laugh over trash TV together, right? 😉

Let’s get to know this food blog better…

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At what age did you first discover your passion for food and cooking?
I can’t say that I can remember an exact age at which my passion for food was sparked. Growing up, both of my grandmothers were a huge part of my life and luckily both fantastic cooks! My Little Grandmother made the most delicious Parker House rolls. Whenever she would come over to babysit or for Easter, she would let my sister and I help make these famous rolls. She would also bring over sticky buns and let us watch Cops… so she was pretty much the best babysitter ever!   My Big Grandmother was an outstanding cook. Her chicken and dumplings could bring a tear to any eye. Seriously guys, it was comfort in a bowl!

I remember one summer when she came to stay with us and we made these Jello pinwheel creations that I would throw down to other neighbors from my deck. It made me super “cool” and I loved how happy feeding people made me. I think it was that summer that I realized how much I enjoyed getting my hands messy and creating something special for friends and family. There was another time when my mom was out of town for the weekend and I was in charge of making dinner for my dad.  Usually we would have some type of pasta, so I stuck with that. But then I decided I really wanted some garlic bread to go sop up the marinara sauce, so I stuck some plain old white bread in the toaster, put some butter on it and sprinkled on some garlic salt and served it to my dad. I swear on his life, I think the man ate 10 pieces that night! I never felt more proud. My dad passed away 5 years ago and when I think back to all of the happy times, even through all of the tears, that memory makes me want to cook and make others happy through my cooking, just like I had done for him, more than anything.

Who has been your biggest influence when it comes to cooking?
This is such a tough question to answer! I have been lucky enough to grow up with a family that has such talented cooks and a family that loves to eat. Both my mom and my sister are amazing cooks, I was blessed with the baking gene, though.  At the same time, as soon as my family got cable TV, all I would watch was the Food Network. I could always relate to Paula Deen because of  her love for some good southern cooking, but I also adored Giada De Laurentiis. Coincidentally, after seeing their Chefography shows on the Food Network, both chef’s battled with shyness and anxiety, something that I feel has held me back from getting into the food industry myself. Both of their stories are so inspirational to me. I think that I have just been lucky enough to be surrounded by lots of family and friends who have been willing to be my guinea pigs when it comes to cooking, so I really owe it all to them since they have made such a huge impact in my life.

food blogging

If you could trade places with one person on the Food Network, who would it be and why?
Another hard question! My first gut instinct is to say Guy Fieri because I think he has the most fun job ever! Who wouldn’t want to go around the states and find the best hidden restaurant gems in America? Right? But like I said earlier, I can really relate to Giada De Laurentiis. I am so happy for her success and I absolutely adore all of her recipes! If I had to compare my personality to any one else on the Food Network, it would have to be her. She is bubbly, personal, and talented. Everything I hope to be as a chef one day.

What’s your go to dish when it comes to making a meal special and memorable?
It depends on who I am serving. I like to put a lot of thought and care into a dish that I am serving. I try to take into consideration individual preferences while at the same time adding my own flair to a dish. I was born and raised in Maryland, so crab cakes are a huge deal for me! I took a cooking class with my husband a couple of years ago and we learned how to make the most amazing crab cake together. That was such a special memory for me and it is a dish that we can both proudly serve as Marylanders. It really is a spectacular dish…everyone asks for the recipe. I am still working on perfecting the remoulade sauce though!

More goodness from Recipe Paiges:
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas: Summer on a Plate!: As inspired by the bbq chicken pizza from California Pizza Kitchen
Irresistible Chocolate Mint Brownies: From her Auntie Joy, a family tradition and favorite
Hummingbird Cupcakes: Because they totally rock!

About Francesca

Francesca has an extensive background in content marketing, public relations, and social outreach. She oversees all Operations at Sway Group, including our robust metrics capabilities. Prior to joining the online world, Francesca oversaw viticulture and oenology at various wineries in both California and Italy, and managed regulatory affairs and facility approvals at the biotech company, Genentech. Francesca has been featured on CBS Sacramento and Food Blogger Pro’s podcast. She has also hosted an AMA webinar and spoken at Social Media World.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Paige says

    Thanks Grams! Do you have a favorite recipe that you like to share with your loved ones? I am still learning as a cook so I am always looking for good advice as well! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

  4. Tracy Wilson says

    Haha yes I do love the girl child on the commercials….she reminds me very much of my youngest! Yes, I enjoyed your blog VERY much and will be visiting regularly!

  7. Through the Lens of Kimberly Gauthier, Kimberly Gauthier Photography says

    I’m a huge foodie, but more for taking pictures than for cooking (although I love cooking and I’m looking forward the the pots/pans set I’ll be getting for my birthday – thank you sweetie). Anyway, reading this fantastic post just gave me the idea to connect with people who love to cook so that I can take pictures of their creations!

    That would be so much fun!!!

    • Paige says

      Thank you Ninisays! Seriously those quesadillas are to die for! And the recipe makes a ton so you have great leftovers! Enjoy!

    • Paige says

      Thanks Melissa! It is amazing how many great memories you have with grandmothers, they are so special! Did you cook with your grandmothers?

      • Melissa Kline says

        Hi Paige!

        Yes, I did cook and learn a lot from my grandmothers. They are no longer with me but I keep their spirit alive by continuing their traditions in honor of them. It is so important for me to give my children what they gave me. 🙂

        ~Melissa
        Reflections on Writing

  13. She'sWrite says

    Yummy to my tummy! I love food and this looks like a great food blog. Though I’m on a diet, so I will have to bookmark it and come back to it once I’ve dropped a few lbs. You know, so I don’t have to fight temptation and all… 🙂 Congrats on your SITS day!

    • Paige says

      Thank you She’sWrite! Dieting can be so hard! I just tried the 4 hour body by timothy ferris and it was very successful plus you get a cheat day.. AMAZING! Good luck on your diet and I can’t wait for you to stop by again soon!

    • Paige says

      Thank you Pbenjaytoo! It is true, people who love to cook, usually make great food! I have had my mistakes though haha but it is still fun to learn!

    • Paige says

      Thank you Mangiabella… my dad was incredibly special to me. I would like to think he is in a little of everything I cook. Wait that sounds weird, but I think you know what I mean!

    • Paige says

      Thank you Catherine! I can’t believe some people don’t know about chicken and dumplings! They are classic! I love dessert dumplings too… I once made a decadent blueberry sauce and cooked in sweet dumplings… they were like little pillows of heaven…

  17. Donna says

    I need to find a best friend that loves cooking! I would never have to worry about dinner. lol! I love to read about and adore the work of people that have a passion!

    • Paige says

      Thank you MidwestTravelService! Both family and food hold a very dear place in my heart <3. Thank you for stopping by!

    • Paige says

      Hi Sandra! Thank you for stopping by! I think my hubby has a pretty lucky job of tasting everything! I love cooking with my sister too!

    • Paige says

      Thank you Amoni! I love everything about food, it is seriously ALL I think about! What is your favorite recipe?

    • Paige says

      Hi M! These chocolate mint brownies are amazing! They will not disappoint! I could eat about 10 of them in one sitting!

    • Paige says

      Hi Ana! I would love to see some of your lavender recipes, I love the smell but I haven’t been so successful baking with it! Thank you for stopping by!

  30. Cindy says

    Hope everyone’s having a great day! Can’t wait to check out today’s Featured Blogger!
    I just posted my final project for my video fundamentals class. I hope you’ll stop by and tell me what you think:)

    • Paige says

      Thank you Piorra, I felt so honored to be featured! Do you have a favorite recipe that you want to share? I am always looking for new recipes as well!

    • Paige says

      Thank you heather! And if you know a good remoulade sauce, please share! Ill be posting the crab cake recipe soon! 🙂

  40. Leah says

    I am so excited to visit your blog! I love food and cooking too, and post many recipes on my blog. Congrats on being featured today!

  41. Web says

    I just checked the chicken queesadilla, it looks super delish. I’ll try it for the family.
    Happy SITS day

    • Paige says

      Thank you so much! I think if you added in a little cilantro into the mix, this dish would really be fabulous! You could even do a cilantro sour cream as a dip!! Yum!

  43. QueenMother says

    You had me at crab cakes!!!! Food has such amazing emotions and memories tied to it and I love how you seem to really cook because you love the people you are cooking for. You can tell you have a precious heart from all the comments you make about others and their feelings even in this little “foodie Q&A.” Congrats on being featured!

    • Paige says

      Thank you so much! You are so kind to say such sweet things! I just love to eat and share good food with good people. Do you have a dish that you make special for someone close?