Carolina Gelen’s Comfort Meal of Home

Comfort Food and Recipe Inspiration

Carolina Gelen, a renowned food blogger with over a million followers on Instagram, has shared her thoughts on comfort food, recipes, and her debut cookbook, Pass the Plate. Gelen’s recipes are known for their approachable techniques and flavors inspired by her Romanian-Hungarian upbringing. She has shared a recipe for a delicious Shaved Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette & Parmesan, which is a nostalgic favorite from her childhood.

Unique Recipe Inspiration

In an exclusive interview with EatingWell, Gelen revealed that her cookbook is filled with pantry-friendly, unique recipes and innovative takes on classics. She aims to make cooking accessible to beginner cooks by providing clear instructions and visual cues. According to Gelen, the most frequent comment she receives about her recipes is that they are "so good" and that the twists and turns make sense. Her cookbook embodies this approach, making it easy for readers to follow along and create delicious meals.

Shaved Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette & Parmesan

Gelen shared the inspiration behind this recipe, which is a nostalgic favorite from her childhood. Growing up, her mother would cook cauliflower and save a wedge for her to snack on. She would thinly slice it, season it with salt, and pass it to Gelen. As she got older, she turned it into a refreshing salad with a bright, lemony dressing. The recipe is a very nostalgic one for Gelen and is a great example of how food can evoke emotions and memories.

Favorite Recipes and Cooking Inspiration

Gelen has shared two of her favorite recipes in her cookbook, including the Shaved Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette & Parmesan and her one-pan garlicky chicken couscous. She finds herself making the latter very often, as it’s a quick and easy dinner option. The recipe involves searing chicken until the skin is golden and crispy, then toasting couscous in the flavorful chicken schmaltz and baking it together with garlic. The result is a delicious and satisfying meal.

Most Rewarding Part of Creating the Cookbook

Gelen revealed that the most rewarding part of creating her cookbook was seeing people try the food for the first time during the photoshoot. She has since received texts from the photo team making the recipes and it brings her joy every time.

Comfort Food and Nostalgia

Gelen shared her favorite comfort meal, which is her mother’s buttered noodles with melting onions and cabbage. The dish is a lazy dinner her mother would make when she didn’t feel like cooking. The noodles are buttery, slightly sweet from the onion, and slightly spicy from the freshly cracked pepper. It’s a comforting and nostalgic dish for Gelen.

Favorite Meal of the Day and Go-To Meal

Gelen enjoys slowing down after a long day and creating a quick meal in the evening. She doesn’t have a go-to meal, but she does enjoy one-pan meals, big pots of soup, or pasta dishes.

Eating Well

For Gelen, eating well means listening to her body and giving it what it needs. Sometimes it’s a sweet treat, while other times it’s a light and refreshing salad. She believes that life is all about balance and that food should be enjoyed in moderation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Carolina Gelen’s cookbook, Pass the Plate, is a must-have for anyone looking to try new and delicious recipes. Her approachable techniques and flavors inspired by her Romanian-Hungarian upbringing make cooking accessible to anyone. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner option or a nostalgic comfort food, Gelen’s cookbook has something for everyone.

FAQs

Q: What makes your cookbook, Pass the Plate, unique?
A: My cookbook is full of pantry-friendly, unique recipes and innovative takes on classics.

Q: Can you tell us the inspiration behind the Shaved Cauliflower Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette & Parmesan recipe?
A: The recipe is a very nostalgic one for me. Growing up, my mother would cook cauliflower and save a wedge for me to snack on. I would thinly slice it, season it with salt, and pass it to me.

Q: Do you have a favorite recipe that you included in the book? Why is it your favorite, if so?
A: My one-pan garlicky chicken couscous is a favorite of mine. It’s a quick and easy dinner option that I find myself making very often.

Q: What did you find to be the most rewarding part of the process of creating this cookbook?
A: Seeing everyone try the food for the first time during the photoshoot was the most rewarding part of the process.

Q: Do you have a comfort meal that reminds you of home?
A: Yes, my mother’s buttered noodles with melting onions and cabbage is a comfort meal that reminds me of home.