Family Meal Natalie Pelletier

On this episode of Family Meal, I sat down with Grasie Mercedes @grasiemercedes and we dished about way more than food. A podcast host herself  on @notblankenoughpod Grasie also acts, writes, and directs her own projects. She pulled back the curtain on what goes down in a writers room (she was on staff for Perfect Harmony), how being the oldest in her family shaped her, and the importance of having faith in yourself even if you don't feel "ready yet or qualified enough". Grasie also discussed the importance of representation on and off screen and how that preps the future generations for believing in themselves. 

GRASIE'S MOM'S DOMINICAN RICE AND BEANS

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On this episode of Family Meal, I sat down with Tiana Okoye @tee_ohhh and we dished about way more than food. Of course we covered her time on Broadway and being an actor in a new production, as was her case in The Cher Show. She talked about how COVID has illuminated a lot of cracks in the systems we have in place and the measures she and her community are taking to make lasting change- one of them being Broadway via @broadwayforracialjustice. The push for more diversity and inclusivity is needed more than ever, and Tiana is making her voice heard. Her welcoming energy will give you hope and cause to fight for those things in your own life and communities especially with the help of her group @artsavethevote  Listen along if you want an honest look at what it takes to be a working multi-faceted performer, how to keep a dream alive even if you feel you're in the minority, and why it's important now more than ever to make your voice heard. 

Nigerian Igbo Tomato Stew: Cook time - 20-30 mins


Brown Rice or white rice
Olive oil
Puree fresh tomatoes
Tomato paste
Onions
Salt
Nutmeg
Maggie’s seasoning cubes

On a frying pan, put a little bit of olive oil on. Mince onions.
Heat up the oil for 2-3 minutes then add onions and tomatoes
Let the onions and tomatoes cook for 8-10 mins on medium (“almost to the point where they’re burning” direct quote from Christian lol)
After cooking the puree tomatoes and onions, add the paste and Maggie’s seasonings.
When the stew is cooked to your linking, add to rice and enjoy!

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On this episode of Family Meal, I sat down with Emily Fedner of @foodloversdiary and we dished about way more than food. Of course we covered her Babushka's famous vareniki and her early days where her love of food was formed, but as usual we dove much deeper. Emily opened up about her struggle to find a career in food that was not only meaningful, but fulfilling, how her her days as a line cook forever changed her, and how it's not been as easy of a road as instagram may show. She's an open book and touches on why mental health needs to be addressed more in the industry, and why we need to be giving back to the undocumented workers of the US. She even developed an e-cookbook that donates a portion of its proceeds to the NY based Undocu Workers Fund. Listen along if you need some uplift, are thinking of changing careers, and want to fuel your appetite! 

PURCHASE PASTA LOVERS DIARY HERE 15% of sales benefit the Undocu Workers Fund

RECIPE FOR VARENIKI HERE

CHECK OUT EMILY'S PODCAST HERE

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On this episode of Family Meal, I sat down with Ellen Marie Bennet, founder of Hedley and Bennett, an incredible work wear brand outfitting chefs in restaurants and kitchens around the world. But what Ellen created is much more than functional and quality aprons- it's a global community of like-minded makers, who are in fact making a difference. Ellen for example, completely pivoted her apron operations mid-March and their warehouses started to produce face masks. Their buy-one, give-one program has donate over 200,000 masks and counting!  We talked how Ellen started her business, taking leaps of faith, how to save veggies on the brink of heading out *hint it involves pickling*, and why taking action will never steer you in the wrong direction. 

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Shepherd’s Pie

FOR THE MASHED POTATOES

-Russet Potatoes

-1/2 and 1/2

-creme fraiche

-butter

salt

fresh cracked pepper!

FOR THE PIE FILLING

Grapeseed oil (or cooking oil)

Onions or Shallots

Carrots

Garlic

Ground Beef

Tomato Paste

Ketchup

Fresh rosemary + thyme (if available)

Cornstarch mixed in a Tablespoon of warm water 

Chicken or Bone Broth

Crumbled Parm

Optional Veggies: Peas, Corn, Celery, Mushrooms

First make the mashed potatoes-I don’t even peel them, boil with salted water, cut up and cook for 10-15 min. Combine a little 1/2 & 1/2, some butter, salt and pepper and mash. Then fold the creme fraiche in once butter is mixed in. 

While the oven is preheating to 400 degrees F, in a large cast iron skillet heat some oil and cook down your onions/shallots or a combination of both. Once those have become a bit translucent, add a generous amount of chopped carrots. Carrots make the pie sweet and delicious, so when in doubt add more. Once carrots are a bit soft, go heavy on the garlic and add some smashed cloves to the mix. Next, add ground beef and season with salt and pepper. When it's just about browned, add some tomato paste, about a teaspoon of ketchup, and the fresh chopped herbs if they are available. The trick here is to keep tasting the meat and veggie mixture and seasoning it to you taste! To thicken up the mixture pour in your cornstarch+water mixture. Next it's time to really make it stewy with chicken or bone broth- you want it to be stewy and juicy at this point because there's nothing worse than a dry Shepherd's Pie. At the point, add any extra veg (peas, mushrooms, celery etc.) and taste again. If it's not sweet enough, add some more ketchup, add a splash of wine (make it your own!). Crack a generous amount of black pepper! Now, take the mashed potatoes and frost the top of the pie (yes it's all still in the cast iron pan). Sprinkle potatoes with some crumbled parm if you desire and pop into the oven for 30 minutes, until it's bubbling nicely. To give the potatoes a little more color, broil for the last few minutes. Bottom line is- this isn't precious food at all, use what's available to you in your fridge and make sure there's enough liquid so it's not dry! 

On this episode of Family Meal, I sat down with photographer, Sophie Kuller, @sophkuller and we chatted about everything from how she transitioned artistic careers (from ballet to photography), to how the two of us met (Instagram, a puppy, a dock and Scotland were involved), to how she's staying creative during COVID. She shares memorable meals and how the best way to care for someone during a time of loss is to just do. She is an incredibly special person and has filled me with so much confidence that there's no way I can truly thank her. She'll open your eyes and hearts to the beauty in simplicity, nature and capturing the moment.

PECAN PIE

-pie crust of choice

-3 eggs

-2/3 cup Sugar

1/3 teaspoon salt

1/3 butter, melted

1 cup dark corn syrup

1 cup pecans

FROM SOPHIE'S MOM: *Pre-toasting the pecans brings out the flavor but be careful, they burn easily! I usually add more pecans than this, and it’s easier to cut if most of the pecans are pieces, not halves. My brother Jim also taught me to add about a tablespoon of flour to the batter, which helps to thicken the bottom part and make it less oily from the butter. And.... mix everything together so the pecans get covered.  They float to the top.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and add to pie crust. Bake for 40-50 min.

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On this episode of Family Meal, I sat down with podcast host, and as I dub her- the culinary mayor of LA- Kate Green @funwithkate We talk in depth about how the restaurant industry she used to call home (she stumbled into working at the Mozza Restaurant Group and never left!) has been hit hard during this pandemic, and the pivots people are taking to make ends meet. She shared multiple LA organizations that are giving back to those who have been hit hardest- and how the service industry and its professional are still of service to the community at large. This episode is honest and really harps on the idea that everyone- regardless of job title, gender, race, or socioeconomic class deserves a seat at the table. 

Kate's Family Meal Recipe: VANILLA CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING c/o Modern Honey 

RESOURCES FOR ALL! (some are LA Based, but look into supporting where you can!)

@nouswithoutyou (helping provide food for undocumented back of house staff)

@secret_lasagna (employing out of work chefs and donating food to No Us Without You with every order received) 

@fewforall (fresh pasta and provisions- for every item purchased one lb. of pasta is donated to the LA Food Bank) 

@coastlinewellness (providing FREE mental health resources for restaurant industry workers in CA) 

@nursepracticioner_natalie (a resource for FREE accurate and up to date health and wellness information)

WINES MENTIONED: @raftwines @habitwine @scribewinery @broccellars @stolpmansofresh (and check out Tabula Rasa in LA for options!) 

Follow along @family_meal_podcast on instagram or your host Natalie @irishfrecklegirl