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Christine Van Bloem Chef/Teacher

Hi! I’m Christine, and I’m super stoked to be cooking, writing, and helping everyone sink into to a better life. If you’re looking for healthier recipes for one and two, or want to add more delightful cocktails into your repertoire, you’re in the right place.

My philosophy is simple:

It’s a meal, not a mortgage.

Real food is the most important factor in good cooking.

If you’re going to drink, drink in moderation and always drink the good stuff.

I’ve been teaching cooking for a long, long time, and I am still excited to cook, teach, and share with you. If you’ve got a question, I’ll work hard to give you an answer so that you’re better and more confident in the kitchen. Hey, it’s a meal not a mortgage, so there’s nothing to Stress about and only fun to be had.

With a heart attack in 2020, loss of my brick & mortar cooking school business of 15 years, broken bones, and even my husband having a Stroke, and all within just a couple of months, I've been through it! BUT, I’m a lucky gal with endless support and a deep gratitude for everything that I do have. It’s not always easy, but I’m working to make sure that it stays fun.

Post heart attack, I’m reforming my butter-loving, heavy cream worshiping ways by making changes to how I cook, taking things in a healthier direction, without doing a complete 180 and still keeping things flavorful and delightful. The key here is healthier. I’m not afraid of butter, but I’m using a touch instead of stick. A tablespoon or two of cream or half-and-half, not a cup, and so on and so forth. And now that the kids are grown and living lives on their own, I’m re-learning how to cook for two.

Recent Content

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Cooking, Culture, And Connection With Paula Mohammed &Raquo; Thnskrafipon14Lhcsysf17Qd2S0
Cooking, Culture, and Connection with Paula Mohammed

This week, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Paula Mohammed from In My Kitchen with Paula. Paula and I share a Love of good food, connection, and exploring different cultures.Paula told…

This week, I had the…

This week, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Paula Mohammed from In My Kitchen with Paula. Paula and I share a love of good food, connection, and exploring different cultures.Paula told me all about how she started In My Kitchen back in 2018 to bring people together and celebrate traditional recipes. We also talked about her podcast, where she shares amazing culinary stories from cooks all over the world. One of my favorite parts of our chat was hearing how online cooking experiences unexpectedly took off during the pandemic—and how food continues to be such a powerful way to …

Listen · 40:46
The Empty Nest Reset: Finding Your Fall Kitchen Rhythm &Raquo; Thnskrafipon14Lhcsysf17Qd2S0
The Empty Nest Reset: Finding Your Fall Kitchen Rhythm

As the seasons change, it's time to reset your kitchen and life for fall. This week you'll find practical tips for getting back into a cooking rhythm. From pantry refreshes and meal planning…

As the seasons chang…

As the seasons change, it's time to reset your kitchen and life for fall. This week you'll find practical tips for getting back into a cooking rhythm. From pantry refreshes and meal planning to setting routines and embracing small wins, this episode is packed with advice to help you enjoy cooking again. It also touches on mindset practices to make cooking a pleasurable experience. Don't miss the upcoming free Mediterranean masterclass on September 18th for more tips and inspiration.00:00 Welcome to Fall: Embracing Change00:47 Adjusting to an Empty Nest02:17 Finding Your Cooking …

Listen · 15:57
Small Bites: Summer On A Plate &Raquo; Thnskrafipon14Lhcsysf17Qd2S0
Small Bites: Summer on a Plate

Send us a textLet's talk about the importance of eating seasonally and locally! From making simple no-cook sauces to grilling the perfect seasonal vegetables, you'll find insights to make yo…

Send us a textLet&ap…

Send us a textLet's talk about the importance of eating seasonally and locally! From making simple no-cook sauces to grilling the perfect seasonal vegetables, you'll find insights to make your kitchen a place of joy and discovery. 00:00 Welcome to the Empty Nest Kitchen00:25 Seasonal Cooking: A Journey Through Summer01:17 The Importance of Eating Seasonally01:58 Restaurant Tips for Seasonal Eating04:12 Fun with Figs and Kitchen Gadgets05:14 Creating Delicious Seasonal Dishes06:06 Splurging on Quality Ingredients07:19 Simple and Flavorful Cooking Techniques09:04 Appreciating Seasonal…

Listen · 11:46
Small Bites: Garlic Girl Summer &Raquo; Thnskrafipon14Lhcsysf17Qd2S0
Small Bites: Garlic Girl Summer

Send us a textJoin me in the Empty Nest Kitchen as I share expert tips and techniques for cooking with garlic. From selecting the perfect garlic bulbs to using raw and roasted garlic in various dishes…

Send us a textJoin m…

Send us a textJoin me in the Empty Nest Kitchen as I share expert tips and techniques for cooking with garlic. From selecting the perfect garlic bulbs to using raw and roasted garlic in various dishes, we'll covers it all. Learn how to store garlic properly, the benefits of different garlic forms, and even get a sneak peek into my mini course 'Just Add Sauce'. Discover how to bring out the best flavors from this magical ingredient and enhance your culinary skills.00:00 Welcome to the Empty Nest Kitchen00:34 The Magic of Garlic02:14 Choosing and Storing Fresh Garlic03:57 Alternat…

Listen · 11:35
Small Bites: Gettin' Figgy With It &Raquo; Thnskrafipon14Lhcsysf17Qd2S0
Small Bites: Gettin' Figgy With It

Send us a textLet's dive into the excitement of fig season with a joyful celebration of fresh figs. From tips on selecting the perfect figs at the store to storing them properly, you'll lear…

Send us a textLet&ap…

Send us a textLet's dive into the excitement of fig season with a joyful celebration of fresh figs. From tips on selecting the perfect figs at the store to storing them properly, you'll learn how to make the most of these delicate fruits. Discover a variety of delicious ways to enjoy figs, including making fig jam, pairing them with cheese, creating a fig salad, and even making a fig pizza or flatbread. This episode is packed with creative ideas and culinary tips. Join the fig appreciation and share your culinary creations using fresh figs!00:00 Introduction to Fig Season00:30 Person…

Listen · 8:54
Small Bites: Summer Sauces, Big Flavors, No Stove Required &Raquo; Thnskrafipon14Lhcsysf17Qd2S0
Small Bites: Summer Sauces, Big Flavors, No Stove Required

Send us a textFind fun and creative way to enhance summer meals with no-cook sauces in your Empty Nest Kitchen. Christine shares her tips and tricks on making flavorful sauces without turning on the s…

Send us a textFind f…

Send us a textFind fun and creative way to enhance summer meals with no-cook sauces in your Empty Nest Kitchen. Christine shares her tips and tricks on making flavorful sauces without turning on the stove, perfect for the hot summer months. You'll learn a simple framework using fats, acids, and flavor enhancers like fresh herbs. Christine also introduces her new mini-course, 'Just Add Sauce,' which provides detailed guidance on creating and remixing various no-cook sauces, emphasizing ease and adaptability for small-scale cooking.00:00 Introduction to No-Cook Sauces00:46 Why No-…

Listen · 12:36
Small Bites Simply Peachy: The Sweet And The Savory &Raquo; Thnskrafipon14Lhcsysf17Qd2S0
Small Bites Simply Peachy: The Sweet and The Savory

Send us a textIn this episode of the Empty Nest Kitchen, cooking expert Christine Van Bloem shares her love for peaches and explores various ways to enjoy this summer fruit. From simple sliced peaches…

Send us a textIn thi…

Send us a textIn this episode of the Empty Nest Kitchen, cooking expert Christine Van Bloem shares her love for peaches and explores various ways to enjoy this summer fruit. From simple sliced peaches to gourmet salads and savory meat pairings, Christine provides detailed recipes and tips that highlight the natural sweetness and versatility of peaches. Learn about the importance of keeping it simple to let the flavors shine and tips for complementary ingredients to create balanced dishes. 00:00 Introduction to Peaches00:38 The Perfect Peach03:04 Peach Salad Ideas06:04 Cooking with Peaches and…

Listen · 13:11
Small Bites: Zucchini Magic &Raquo; Thnskrafipon14Lhcsysf17Qd2S0
Small Bites: Zucchini Magic

Send us a textLet's explore fun and creative ways to cook with zucchini, a quintessential summer vegetable. From practical advice on picking the best zucchinis to three delightful (and easy!) rec…

Send us a textLet&ap…

Send us a textLet's explore fun and creative ways to cook with zucchini, a quintessential summer vegetable. From practical advice on picking the best zucchinis to three delightful (and easy!) recipes, your zucchini wishes are ready to become reality. Tune in to learn these simple yet delicious methods to make zucchini a hit in your kitchen.00:00 Welcome to the Empty Nest Kitchen00:27 Zucchini: The Ultimate Summer Vegetable02:19 Choosing the Perfect Zucchini03:44 Delicious Zucchini Recipes08:39 Zucchini Boats: A Fun Twist10:18 Protein-Packed Zucchini Egg Bites14:49 Wrapping Up: Zucchini Ti…

Listen · 15:15
Small Bites: It'S Corn! Making The Most Of Summer'S Best &Raquo; Thnskrafipon14Lhcsysf17Qd2S0
Small Bites: It's Corn! Making the Most of Summer's Best

Send us a textLet's dive into the world of corn. Get practical advice on choosing, storing, and cooking corn (keeping the husk on until right before consumption is important!). With tips for usin…

Send us a textLet&ap…

Send us a textLet's dive into the world of corn. Get practical advice on choosing, storing, and cooking corn (keeping the husk on until right before consumption is important!). With tips for using corn in various dishes like salads and pancakes, and a unique microwave method for cooking, you'll find a delightful and informative guide to making the most out of fresh corn.00:00 Introduction to Corn Talk01:00 Corn at the Farmer's Market03:25 Choosing and Storing Corn06:52 Microwave Corn Cooking Hack08:06 Creative Corn Recipes09:21 Corn Salad and Vinaigrette13:24 Corn Pancakes and C…

Listen · 14:34
Small Bites: It'S Corn! Making The Most Of Summer'S Best &Raquo; Thnskrafipon14Lhcsysf17Qd2S0
Small Bites: It's Corn! Making the Most of Summer's Best

Send us a textLet's dive into the world of corn. Get practical advice on choosing, storing, and cooking corn (keeping the husk on until right before consumption is important!). With tips for usin…

Send us a textLet&ap…

Send us a textLet's dive into the world of corn. Get practical advice on choosing, storing, and cooking corn (keeping the husk on until right before consumption is important!). With tips for using corn in various dishes like salads and pancakes, and a unique microwave method for cooking, you'll find a delightful and informative guide to making the most out of fresh corn.00:00 Introduction to Corn Talk01:00 Corn at the Farmer's Market03:25 Choosing and Storing Corn06:52 Microwave Corn Cooking Hack08:06 Creative Corn Recipes09:21 Corn Salad and Vinaigrette13:24 Corn Pancakes and C…

Listen · 14:34
Small Bites: Summer Tomatoes (How To Choose, Use, And Store) &Raquo; Thnskrafipon14Lhcsysf17Qd2S0
Small Bites: Summer Tomatoes (How to Choose, Use, and Store)

Send us a textLet's kick-off the summer cooking series 'Small Bites', focusing on short episodes under 15 minutes. Each week will highlight a different food or technique, starting with …

Send us a textLet&ap…

Send us a textLet's kick-off the summer cooking series 'Small Bites', focusing on short episodes under 15 minutes. Each week will highlight a different food or technique, starting with summer tomatoes, covering tips on choosing, using, and storing them for optimum flavor. 00:00 Introduction to Summer Cooking Series00:57 Choosing the Perfect Summer Tomatoes03:09 Storing Your Tomatoes Correctly04:00 Simple and Delicious Tomato Recipes06:28 Making the Perfect Panzanella11:47 Roasting Tomatoes for Extra Flavor12:46 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes Follow Christine Van Bloem on Inst…

Listen · 13:24
Mediterranean Moments: Delicious Simplicity In Midlife Cooking &Raquo; Thnskrafipon14Lhcsysf17Qd2S0
Mediterranean Moments: Delicious Simplicity in Midlife Cooking

Send us a textThe Mediterranean Diet is a great first step toward a healthier Lifestyle, but what the heck is it? It's the ease of cooking lighter summer meals, using fresh seasonal produce, and …

Send us a textThe Me…

Send us a textThe Mediterranean diet is a great first step toward a healthier lifestyle, but what the heck is it? It's the ease of cooking lighter summer meals, using fresh seasonal produce, and incorporating healthy fats and lean proteins, plus so much more. We're making food an event by inviting friends and savoring meals, the benefits of including physical activity, and promoting joy in the kitchen. 00:00 Introduction and Excitement for Mediterranean Diet00:39 Seasonal Cooking and Farmer's Markets01:53 Mediterranean Diet Principles05:03 Healthy Fats and Lean Proteins07:53 H…

Listen · 15:27