Years ago, you posted a tutorial video for homemade
yogurt. Did you ever think it would eventually lead to your own television
show?
After having four daughters in three years, I changed
paths from working in corporate strategy and finance to focus on being a
stay-at-home mom. Living in Texas at the time with four babies, I quickly
realized I was hardwired to streamline my family’s expenses (just like my mom
had to do when I was growing up). I began sharing my tips and ideas with local
groups of moms, and the homemade yogurt I made in my hot Texas garage – a
strategy that saved us over $1,000 a year at the time – was a clear favorite. I
decided to make the video in order to share the technique with more people. I
then submitted it online for “The Next Food Network Star” season 5 auditions
(in 2008). It’s been a true joy to share my recipes, strategies and tips with
Food Network and Cooking Channel viewers. (And as for the yogurt
recipe…it now appears in my Ten Dollar Dinners cookbook
and was also the subject of a Food Network Magazine feature.)
With four children, how do you find ways to prepare
meals that everyone in your family can enjoy?
With a big family, we have a variety of tastes and
preferences. Still, I serve one meal for dinner (always including two
vegetables so the girls have a choice – “Would you like the spinach or carrots,
or both?”) that deliver on being both delicious and nutritious for the whole
family. My husband and I both love spicy food, so we may adjust certain spices
or seasonings especially when serving ethnic cuisines. We use our meals as a
time to have the girls be part of the food conversation and develop a healthy
understanding of what different ingredients offer us – each night one daughter
presents the meal by sharing in simple terms what each dish is, its main ingredients
and the functions of those ingredients (e.g., chicken is a protein and helps
build muscle). Also, I always serve at least one healthy food that I know
the kids like, sort of my insurance policy against picky eaters. For
instance, I can always put out a basket of whole grain rolls and know that if
someone eats only rolls and milk, she will be fine for one meal. Lastly,
dinner is about more than just the food for us. It’s about sharing and
connecting with the family, and hearing about the day’s highs and lows for
everyone. So even if we do a quickie dinner, such as an omelet and salad,
we still sit down as we would for any dinner and connect.
Where are your favorite places to shop for food? (ie.
farmer’s markets, grocery stores, specialty food shops, etc…)
I do the majority of my shopping at grocery stores and
also at warehouse clubs where I can implement the many savings strategies I
share on my show and in my book – everything from making smart splurges in the
produce aisle, using the bulk aisle in surprising ways for both large and small
quantities, stocking up on (and then freezing) the loss leaders (proteins on
sale for 50-75% off to get shoppers in the door), taking advantage of manager’s
specials especially on dairy and bread. Farmer’s markets are wonderful
for fresh and local produce, and I just love when we go as a family; it’s a
fun, relaxed and educational outing (and much cheaper than going to the movies
as a family these days!).
Describe a typical dinner at the d’Arabian household.
If it’s a rushed Tuesday night, I will likely be the one
in charge of getting dinner on the table. On nights when we have more time (or
just as a separate activity altogether), the girls love to help in various ways
(making salad, measuring out ingredients, cracking eggs, breading, etc.). You
would find us eating the very same recipes I share on my show and in my book,
or perhaps some new recipes I am testing for upcoming projects – my family has
become my focus group of official taste testers. One of the girls presents the
meal (as I mentioned above) and we enjoy being together. I think just simply
being around the table together as a family is so important. Whether you
ordered in pizza or cooked a lavish meal, sharing the time together at the
table is beneficial for myriad reasons.
What’s your favorite part of preparing meals for your
family?
It’s simple: Creating positive and happy memories for my
girls to look back on while nourishing and respecting our bodies with
satisfying delicious food.
Any tips for parents who struggle to get their kids to
eat healthy?
I have four girls (8, 7, 5 and 5) and I believe in
developing their palettes while also laying the groundwork for them to have an
overall healthy relationship with food. So, I have lots of tips – ranging from
how to get them involved, how to encourage them to try new ingredients, and
beyond. Here’s a recent write up I did on Cooking Channel’s Devour blog that highlights some of my favorites.
Do
you have any guilty pleasures when it comes to food? (It’s okay, you can tell
us...)
Of
course, I love to indulge in sweet treats here and there (enter the entire
dessert chapter of my book!). I will say that I just love a piece of super dark
chocolate with an espresso – my favorite combination. When it comes to savory
and comforting, I can’t resist my famous Potato Bacon Torte.
I
hope you and your readers will stay in touch with me through Facebook (www.facebook.com/darabianmelissa),
Twitter (@melissadarabian), and my website www.melissadarabian.net.
– 1 stick per rose
{approximately 8 to 10 pieces per rose}
} & a paintbrush
