Meet Ali from Gimme Some Oven

02/26/2015

Our mouths have been doing a lot of watering lately, and we can’t help but assume it’s the result of frequent stops at Gimme Some Oven – the oh-so-scrumptious blog by Ali. She whips up everything from savory snacks to charismatic cocktails to decadent desserts and all of the courses in-between. Her recipes are “fresh, creative, quick, easy, and perfect for sharing with people you love!”

And, Ali doesn’t stop at delicious recipes – she also serves up generous helpings of DIY inspirations and life adventures. We had the opportunity to chat with Ali and get some insight on her inspirations and more!

What inspired you to become a blogger?

I’m a big believer that so many of our best memories and moments in life happen around the table. And all the better when they happen while sharing delicious food with people you love! I began my blog back in 2009 because I was always cooking for friends, and they were always asking for the recipes afterwards. So it seemed like a natural way to organize my favorite recipes and be able to offer them as a resource to my best friends — and now, all of my reader friends around the world. The best thing ever is when someone writes in to tell me that they made one of my recipes, and shared it with people they love.

Favorite food to eat:
Ooooh, tough one! My favorite food of all time is probably egg drop soup. But anything related to chips and salsa is a close second.  😉

Favorite food to make:
Anything Mexican!

Favorite trick of the trade when it comes to baking:
Always refrigerate your cookie dough before making it and mix in an extra teaspoon or two of cornstarch to make cookies nice and chewy.

Favorite food substitute when cooking:
Greek yogurt in place of sour cream.

One piece of advice you would give to novice cooks:
Invite friends to come and cook with you! You can teach each other what you know, and chances are you’ll have a stellar time in the process … and a delicious meal to enjoy together afterwards.

Favorite kitchen gadget:
A large cookie scoop. It will help measure the dough for perfectly-sized muffins and cupcakes every time.

What’s your biggest food splurge?
I’m actually a pretty frugal cook. But I have to say, the cheese section at Trader Joe’s is my weakness. That and a nice bottle of bourbon.  🙂

Biggest food flop:
Probably back in 7th grade, when my group added 1 cup of baking soda to a batch of muffins instead of 1 teaspoon. (Muffin explosion!) That, or catching a s’mores pie on fire.

The quote you live by:
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” -John Wesley

Favorite recipe you’ve posted:
Oh wow, how to choose?? Lately, this 7-Ingredient Easy Zuppa Toscana has been a favorite in my house. So easy and ridiculously good.