Without our awesome food bloggers, we wouldn’t be able to bring you new and creative recipes every week featuring Randall Beans. We’re highlighting some of our recipe contributors to learn a little more about them – today’s featured blogger is Nicole of Yes to Yum.
Name
Nicole
Location
Minneapolis, MN
How did you get started creating recipes?
I started to create recipes out of necessity when I moved out of my hometown to go to college. I went from cooking for a lot of people to searching for recipes to make for just myself. As time went on, I started to customize them and change them to fit my needs and use the ingredients I had on hand. Eventually, I became confident enough in my knowledge of cooking to start creating my own recipes.
What’s your favorite type of food to make?
I enjoy making homemade breads the most. The process takes longer than a typical recipe, but I find it relaxing (and rewarding)! Bread is something so common, but when it’s homemade it can make any meal feel a little extra special.
How do you get the inspiration for the recipes you create?
I’m often inspired by seasonal ingredients to guide the recipes that I create. I also enjoy flipping through old cookbooks and magazines to search for ideas. I find myself drawn to traditional recipes that have stood the test of time. Oftentimes, I look for ways to make a recipe easier to prepare, add an unexpected twist, or even just make it a bit healthier.
Do you have a recipe that you’ve created that is your favorite?
One of my favorite recipes is the Low Fat Black Bean & Beef Taquitos that I created for Randall Beans. I love them because they can be easily adapted to fit just about any diet and are infinitely customizable. I often change up the dipping sauces and salsas that I serve with them each time I make them.
Whose cooking are you most inspired by?
I’m always inspired the recipes made by my dad because he does a great job of adapting classic recipes in an approachable way. Though it’s fun to flip through magazines with recipes that feature a laundry list of trendy ingredients, I always gravitate towards food that is more approachable.
What’s your favorite way to incorporate beans into a recipe?
I like to use beans in my recipes to give them a little more heft, oftentimes replacing the meat in a recipe. Stirring them into soups and casseroles is an easy way to add extra fiber and more flavor to hearty recipes, especially as we approach the cool winter months.
