Lindsay is the food blogger behind Vodka & Biscuits.
As one of our earliest partners, we loved getting an inside look at what inspired her to cook and how she creates such amazing recipes!
Lindsay started the blog back in college a few years ago while learning how to cook away from home (AKA mom).
"I focused on healthy college-proof recipes and, by the time I graduated, V and B had gained a following. After graduating, I enrolled in culinary school, where I could introduce recipes and cuisine of all sorts to the blog. A year after culinary school, I started working in the catering and wedding industry."
Although Lindsay was not a chef, she helped design menus and execute food styling for events, magazines, and even popular TV shows.
She recently left the catering industry and is in the process of opening a café, a journey which, when the time is right, she will definitely share on her blog.
My childhood was unique. My parents divorced when I was in third grade, however they remained close friends after. In fact, my mom only moved two streets away from my dad (crazy right?). My mom was the cook in the marriage, and after the divorce, we spent half the week at Mom's with a home-cooked dinner, and the other half at Dad's, with (I kid you not) frozen chicken pot pies and Pop-Tarts.
By the weekend, I couldn’t wait for Mom’s fresh meal (and actually looked forward to a vegetable), and by mid-week, I couldn’t wait for junk. My mom dated a Jewish man for nearly ten years after the divorce, who introduced us to his traditions.
I absolutely cannot live without my Dutch Oven or Cast-Iron Skillet. I love being able to cook foods on the stovetop and finish them in the oven. I use my Dutch Oven or Skillet for braising, stews, stocks, desserts, and pasta dishes of all sorts (my favorite!). Cast-iron short ribs are my current obsession.
I love my grater to grate fresh nutmeg into a béchamel or to finish off any meal with a fresh grating of cheese. I ALWAYS have a wedge of Parmesan and Smoked Gouda in the fridge. Smoked Gouda grated on top of scrambled eggs is perfection. I also love my julienne peeler, which I use to make zoodles (get outta’ here spiralizer). I also love my digital meat thermometer with a probe because this girl loves her grill (and her meat!).
Some larger appliances that I use on a daily basis are my Vitamix (I make smoothies every morning and homemade almond milk every Monday!) and food processor. The processor saves my life whenever I need to grate carrots or potatoes, and can whip up a mean pesto.
My number one kitchen essential is my Olde Thompson garlic sea salt. I buy people this for Christmas because everyone NEEDS this salt.
My kitchen gadgets are minimal but I use the HECK out of them. In fact, my friends and family still cannot believe I do not have a microwave or a toaster--ah!
My favorite meal of all time is right here in Baltimore at Tio Peppe. Gambas al Ajillo is their garlic shrimp served with warm crusty bread, and every once in a while, they will serve a Chilean Sea Bass that just melts in your mouth. Denver Biscuit Company in Colorado serves the best breakfast sandwic-- think breakfast sandwich meets biscuit meets sausage and gravy. Killer. Speaking of biscuit, Hot Little Biscuit in Charleston has the world’s best biscuits. Oh, speaking of Charleston, Butcher and Bee has a fried chicken sandwich with roasted tomato and dill salsa verde mayo. SO GOOD.
Food styling for food scenes on Veep and House of Cards. Not proud of running into Kevin Spacey with an open jar of pickles, but ish happens. I also have had some food styling spreads featured in Baltimore and DC bridal magazines, which is pretty cool!
Oh, I’ve been dreaming of a kitchen for years now. I love colored appliances, like a navy blue oven and countertops against a white brick wall or backsplash. There’s nothing better than an open kitchen with a large floating island and kitchen bar dining, all being flooded with natural light. In my dream kitchen, I imagine wooden shelves displaying my various plates and props, and lots of plants. I’m a sucker for house plants and fresh herbs! Think industrial meets farmhouse. I currently have two large paintings of roosters with navy blue walls and a farm table that literally weighs a ton. I’m getting there!
My perfect day would be...getting the house and kitchen ready for a dinner party; by the evening, we have our house full of friends, family, great food, and lots of drinks. I love to entertain, and I love the errands, organizing, and cooking that comes along with it.
I believe any problem can be solved with...a TALL glass of wine.
When I need liquid courage...I drink Vodka. Hence vodka and biscuits.
My guilty pleasure is...black bottom cupcakes. Need one now.
I wish I had the superpower...to fly because I hate driving to the grocery store (it happens sometimes twice a day).
My bangin’ breakfast potatoes are probably my favorite recipe from Vodka and Biscuits. There’s something magical about cooking bacon within potatoes and finishing it off with maple syrup. It’s a frequent weekend brunch dish! Half Baked Harvest has a to-die-for Kale and Wild Rice Casserole on the app that is perfect for healthy entertaining! Leanne Brown’s Spicy Green Beans are SO good and perfect alongside some Asian glazed salmon.
Find your passion and pursue it. I took a scary step in a completely new industry after graduating college, while my friends were already finding their niche. I was a nervous wreck and for my first year, I couldn’t even afford Christmas gifts. I knew I was good at food and that it was where I belonged. I fought through the hard times, threw myself and my skill out to the world, and soon enough, I was able to make a career out of it. Like my mom always said, do what you love and the money will follow. And as everyone says, if you love what you do, you’re not working.
