Why I Cook, Interview Series at Olives for Dinner

There are so many fabulous food bloggers out there that I adore because they constantly inspire me with their original recipes, beautiful instagram feeds and diy creations. I love keeping up with their lives through their blogs, and getting a better understanding of the way they think as well as what drives them to constantly create. My most favorite bloggers are those that I want to sit down with over a good vegan meal after reading their blogs and get to know better. Since that’s not always possible, I came up with a new column idea on Olives for Dinner called Why I Cook that virtually allows both me and you the chance to get to know great bloggers better.

In this column, I’ll ask some of my favorite bloggers questions around, well … why they cook! If you don’t already know about these noteworthy bloggers, you’ll be introduced to some great ones and, if you are already fans, you’ll learn something new about them here! This week, I’m featuring a blogger that I have been following regularly and have admired for years, Heather Poire of Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes.

One of the things I love about food bloggers is seeing their passion for cooking come through their food creations, and Heather’s blog is a great example of that! Most of the food on Heather’s blog includes and is a reflection of the seasonal ingredients available in her state of New Hampshire, and is all beautifully styled and shot. I love Heather’s trademark clean and minimal look in her photography, especially when she includes a lot of negative space, a messy drizzle or super gorgeous pops of color. It makes the food approachable and fun, and her sweet personality shines through each and every post. Read on below to find out more about Heather’s culinary influences and see some of her gorgeous photography … then hop over to her blog for more!

My favorite recipe: Walnut Bella “Meatball” Subs.

(Heather’s White Chia Pudding with Cacao Nibs + Macadamia)

When did you start to cook and what about the process itself kept you interested in it?

I started cooking at a very young age – my earliest memories are being in the Kitchen with my Gram and cousin cooking up blueberry pancakes on Sunday morning after a weekend sleepover. Cooking has always been my creative outlet: in middle school I would come home, whip out my box of All Purpose Jiffy Baking Mix and go to town baking up cinnamon rolls, muffins and cookies.

Describe your process of recipe development. How do you come up with fresh and new ideas on a regular basis?

My recipes largely revolve around seasonal ingredients along with recipes that Justin and I enjoy on a regular basis. In the Summer I love creating recipes based solely around what I find at the farmer’s market or in my backyard garden. Ideas come to me at random times // memories, a recent experience, a new ingredient … I keep a note pad in my nightstand, often times I’ll have a recipe idea just before bed and have to write it out before I forget!

What influenced your love of cooking?

Our family gatherings always included lots of homemade food – my Mom and Grams always cooked with us kids and instilled the importance of home cooked meals and home grown ingredients. My Dad and Granpa keep massive Gardens, so gardening and cooking have always been a part of my life.

Define your own style of cooking.

Simple, whole + seasonally influenced.

Describe the best dish you’ve ever made.

Smokey Tempeh Sliders // they are on bi-weekly rotation and must for when we go camping … and my Breakfast Sammie- a weekend must!

(Heather’s Smokey Tempeh Sliders)

(Heather’s Breakfast Sammie)

If your current self could give your past self one piece of sage cooking advice, what would it be and why?

There are no mistakes, just opportunities to learn from and don’t be so critical of your cooking – it’s good!

Who are some of your culinary heroes or influences and why?

My Mom and Grams – it is where it all began and I love Julia Child, she broke the mold of what was “expected” and truly loved food! She said “People who love to eat are the best people” – and I couldn’t agree more!