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August 27th, 2025

Small Bites: Summer on a Plate

  1. Small Bites: Summer on a Plate Christine Van Bloem 11:46

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Let'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 Kitchen
00:25 Seasonal Cooking: A Journey Through Summer
01:17 The Importance of Eating Seasonally
01:58 Restaurant Tips for Seasonal Eating
04:12 Fun with Figs and Kitchen Gadgets
05:14 Creating Delicious Seasonal Dishes
06:06 Splurging on Quality Ingredients
07:19 Simple and Flavorful Cooking Techniques
09:04 Appreciating Seasonal Produce
09:47 Join the Empty Nest Kitchen Community
10:44 Masterclass 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.