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July 29th, 2025

Small Bites Simply Peachy: The Sweet and The Savory

  1. Small Bites Simply Peachy: The Sweet and The Savory Christine Van Bloem 13:11

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In 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 Peaches

00:38 The Perfect Peach

03:04 Peach Salad Ideas

06:04 Cooking with Peaches and Meat

10:41 Grilled Peaches for Dessert

12:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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.