Today I am thrilled that my dear friend Lori of Recipe Girl has stopped in to chat about her awesome new cookbook. I have been a huge fan of Lori’s for years. Her website is gorgeous and she is has a truly extensive recipe database. Her new book is equally as wonderful. It is chock full of Recipe Girl favorites, and a whole bunch of new recipes too! If you want your own copy of her book she is generously giving one away…details below!
1) Your book is chock full of so many amazing recipes! How did you come up with all of them? You cover every course!
I dream about food all the time, so it was easy. Just kidding, of course! Since my website covers every meal of the day, I wanted my book to do the same. It involved lots of brainstorming, reading for inspiration and testing/re-testing to come up with 195 recipes.
2) Tackling such an immense project must have been a big undertaking for you. How did you manage all the aspects of writing, testing, and preparing the book?
It’s definitely not easy to write a cookbook. I sat down and mapped out a time schedule for my chapters, gave myself due dates, and stuck with it! I used snippets from my own life experiences to use as inspiration for writing all of the introductions to the recipes, and friends and family were my taste testers and recipe testers too.
3) What was different about writing a book than you anticipated?
In writing a cookbook specifically, there are some very specific guidelines for how ingredients are listed and how recipes are written. Consistency throughout the book is key. The tight timelines that the publishers demand were pretty tough on my family. They were really relieved when I finally turned in my manuscript!
4) Your Recipe Boy is a big part of your website. What are some of the family favorites in your book? Are there any that are real standouts for your family?
My 12 year old son Brooks (RecipeBoy) is my #1 taste tester. As a family, we love the Spinach and Cheese Stuffed Manicotti, Beef Enchiladas and Pine Nut- Avocado Salad. Our favorite dessert is the Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake.
5) I saw you recently moved! Is there anything about your new area that is influencing what you are cooking now?
We just moved from California to the Lake Tahoe area (Nevada) after having lived in CA for 28 years! It feels like a more casual lifestyle there. I wouldn’t say there’s a change in what we’re eating, but we’re grilling a lot and having more family-style meals. Since we’ll be experiencing snow in the winter, there will probably be more soup made in my kitchen.
6) So, for real, what is your secret foodie indulgence? What do you reach for at the end of a long day (besides wine – haha) when you want to treat yourself?
If it were up to me, I’d skip dinner and have a really good hunk of cheese, crusty bread and olives (along with my wine). But if I’m indulging, I’d go for pasta with a light cream sauce. Cheesecake for dessert!
7) What is next for Recipe Girl?!!
I’m not entirely sure! One of these days I’d probably like to write a book with my son, but he’s so busy with sports and school and friends, so I have no idea if that will ever happen. I’m very happy writing for my website and others. As long as I’m still creating and sharing recipes, that’s the perfect life for me!
To Enter to Win Your Copy of Recipe Girl:
1) Leave a comment sharing your favorite recipe from Lori’s website!
2) Contest runs from August 7th through August 14th at 7:00am. Winner to be announced in August 16th newsletter. Good luck!
161 Responses to “Lori of Recipe Girl + Giveaway!”
I’m a sucker for her breakfast category. I really like the Amish Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Icing. It’s like the best of everything rolled into one roll and my kids love them.
I fell in love with Lori’s website after seeing the peanut butter cup brownies recipe! I also liked the lemon Easter cake (can’t remember the exact recipe now, embarrassingly enough)
I love lots of her recipes, but I think my favorite is her creamy tomato tortellini soup. Sometimes I don’t even add the tortellini or I add a different pasta. It’s great with grilled cheese sandwiches for an easy busy night supper.
My favourite recipe would have to be Stawberry, Rhubard Stuffed French Toast, yummo two of my favourite fruits together with toast, how could you loose?
The pumpkin cinnamon rolls w/the yummy frosting! Everythiing my family loves, cinnamon rolls, amazing frosting and pumpkin!! Going to be a Fall and holiday staple:) thanks for all the amazing recipes!
Easy Butternut Squash Ravioli with Rosemary Oil. Easy is always good and using wonton wrappers for the pasta is genius. I love Butternut Squash paired with rosemary…this is a great meatless option.
The Ham and Swiss Griddle Cakes that Recipe Girl posted back in March has been an absolute hit with my family. I have to admit we have modified it (Swiss cheese is not a favorite in my family). I often swap in green onions for the regular onions and often add in corn. Anyway that I make it, it is always a big hit. This is saying a lot because I have two teenage girls who are very picky. Thanks to Recipe Girl!!
Easy Cherry Cobbler Recipe!!! Whenever the recipe says easy that’s the one for me!!! Easy and delicious!!! Hope to win the book to try out some new recipes!!!
I just found your site, so I’m looking forward to trying ALL of the recipes on the site and in the book. My family has been in a rut with the same boring meals for way too long, and we need to add some pizazz! I hope I win the book!
The ‘low carb’ recipe for balsamic and apricot glazed chicken sounds wonderful and looks easy to prepare. This is one i have to try in the next couple of weeks.
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe caught my eye! what a great way to show your process of testing your own recipes. I myself really enjoy my cookies undercooked and gooey!
the brownies with the cookie dough, love the old and the new. Now that I’m pregnant I sometimes just make the cookie dough part and have a little pig out on the sofa hmmm soo yummy!
I love her bacon and chive corn cakes! I cook them up with some chicken strips and warm maple syrup. Better than any chicken and waffles from a restaurant.
I haven’t actually tried too many *yet*. 😉 But so far my favorites are the walking tacos and the grilled bruschetta chicken. So yummy!!
– Miss Rachel –
Okay, there is not just one favorite from Lori’s website however some of them are the Cheesy Baked Penne (yummm!), the Gorgonzola Stuffed Burgers w/mushrooms & caramelized onion marm, all her quiches are so fluffy & moist & garlic chicken! Red Velvet Cheesecake is a winner any time as well as the Basement Brownies! Oh, and on those cooler mornings when we opt not to have a smoothie, the Pumpkin Pancakes are a morning favorite!
I love Recipe Girl! I have pinned many of her recipes, but would love her cookbook. My most treasured recipe of hers is the Angel Food Cake! I have looked high and low for my mom’s recipe and can’t find it. I was so excited to have Lori’s..
I use her perfect white wedding cupcakes for almost all cupcakes & cakes I make, It’s amazing! Also use her candy cane shaped fruit filled Christmas Cofffee cake recipe every year for Christmas morning breakfast.
Balsamic Roast Mushrooms Tomatoes & Peppers I have been a professional chef for almost 40 years, specializing in remote Alaskan oilfield and construction camps and new veggie recipes are always welcome. This called for items I always have on hand and is quick, easy and a great change of pace for the crews. The feedback from them was great so this is now in my permanent “recipe brain”. Thanks so much 🙂
I LOVE the white wedding cupcakes and icing! They are the best ever!!!I’ve used so many of her recipes and every single one was a hit with my family. She’s the one I go to anytime I need a recipe idea. Also the Almond Joy Cake is fantastic!
I tried the rustic tomato and zucchini tart this past weekend and it turned out great. I always love to see what pops up in my news feed from RecipeGirl. Great dinner ideas for my family!
So hard to choose – I use teh slow cooker category the most!
I love her chicken tortilla soup!
love the choco chip cookie dough brownies
I love her chicken tortilla soup! Yummmm!
I just made her snickerdoodle bars. They are awesome
Wedding cupcakes’
I love her cheesecake cakes. And cinnamon roll pancakes. Amazing!
the chocolate chip cookie brittle is greatness! 😀
The sugar cookie recipe in the baseball cookie tutorial! The best recipe ever!
I’m a sucker for her breakfast category. I really like the Amish Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Icing. It’s like the best of everything rolled into one roll and my kids love them.
Chicken Tortilla Soup!!!
I would love to try the cherry cobbler recipe, looks delicious!
I haven’t tried many yet, but the Citrus Garlic Chicken is on my list this week!
that would definitely be the recipe for gluten free chocolate chip cookies,
Baked Pumpkin Donuts. Mmmmmmm.
I fell in love with Lori’s website after seeing the peanut butter cup brownies recipe! I also liked the lemon Easter cake (can’t remember the exact recipe now, embarrassingly enough)
I made the recipe for the lemon cheesecake cake and it was fantastic.
Spicy chorizo tacos! YUM!
Cheesy Baked Penne…yum!
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes 🙂
We love her cherry limeade sangria and the crock pot tex mex chicken and beans!!
LOVE the cherry-limeade pound cake. A summer staple at our house that combines two of my most favorite things in a buttery cake.
I love lots of her recipes, but I think my favorite is her creamy tomato tortellini soup. Sometimes I don’t even add the tortellini or I add a different pasta. It’s great with grilled cheese sandwiches for an easy busy night supper.
There are many that I have printed off and put in my cupboard, but have only tried the Berry Trifle. Delish, for breakfast, lunch & dinner!!!!!!!
My family LOVED the cinnamon roll pancakes!
Tortilla soup! Yum-o
The snickerdoodle bars were a big hit with my teenage boys! Thanx for a great recipe 🙂
My favourite recipe would have to be Stawberry, Rhubard Stuffed French Toast, yummo two of my favourite fruits together with toast, how could you loose?
My current favorite is the Candy Bar – Cookie Bars recipe. When I saw the picture I knew I had to make them. Yum!
Savory Griddlecakes!
Caramel Brownies are one of my favorites!!
Definitely the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. just simple to make yet turns the meal into something a bit extra special.
I love her slow-cooked beef burgundy recipe, even during the summer!
Cavatelli with meatballs & spinach in a fresh tomato sauce
Cherry limeade sangria. Cuz cherry & Sangria Summer and all that.
I most recently used her recipe for red white and blue cupcakes for the 4th of July. SO good and SO cute!
I faithfully read her blog so there’s ko way I could choose one fav.
Peachy and pecan quinoa salad!!! YUM!
The pumpkin cinnamon rolls w/the yummy frosting! Everythiing my family loves, cinnamon rolls, amazing frosting and pumpkin!! Going to be a Fall and holiday staple:) thanks for all the amazing recipes!
The White Wedding Cake Cupcakes–delicious.
I just found your site….so I have no favorite. I’ll try one very soon. I love pioneer woman, so I need to venture out. Thanks, melinda
Black Forest Pot Roast
Definitely the Tortilla Soup! 🙂 For the win! 😀
I just made the red velvet cheesecake cake for my husband. He loves it!
Blueberry cheesecake ice cream!
From the comments, looks like I’m going to have to make that chicken tortilla soup! Hopefully I’ll win the book!
My favorite are her pumpkin cinnamon roll pancakes! So yummy!!!
Easy Butternut Squash Ravioli with Rosemary Oil. Easy is always good and using wonton wrappers for the pasta is genius. I love Butternut Squash paired with rosemary…this is a great meatless option.
The Ham and Swiss Griddle Cakes that Recipe Girl posted back in March has been an absolute hit with my family. I have to admit we have modified it (Swiss cheese is not a favorite in my family). I often swap in green onions for the regular onions and often add in corn. Anyway that I make it, it is always a big hit. This is saying a lot because I have two teenage girls who are very picky. Thanks to Recipe Girl!!
Easy Cherry Cobbler Recipe!!! Whenever the recipe says easy that’s the one for me!!! Easy and delicious!!! Hope to win the book to try out some new recipes!!!
Love, love, love the Cilantro Chicken with Coconut Milk Rice. Yummy!!!
Love the Dutch Almond Tart
The Easy Cherry Cobbler is one of my favorites.
I just found your site, so I’m looking forward to trying ALL of the recipes on the site and in the book. My family has been in a rut with the same boring meals for way too long, and we need to add some pizazz! I hope I win the book!
Cookie Dough Brownies
Haven’t tried anything yet, but everything looks wonderful! Looking forward to trying something once my stove gets fixed 🙂
The tortilla soup is great! Can’t wait to try more.
tortilla soup is our favorite!
The ‘low carb’ recipe for balsamic and apricot glazed chicken sounds wonderful and looks easy to prepare. This is one i have to try in the next couple of weeks.
Cinnamon roll pancakes sound awesome!
Blueberry Cheesecake Ice Cream delish!
My first recipe of Lori’s was the pumpkin cinnamon rolls! BY FAR, the best cinnamon rolls ever!! I’ve been searching for her cookbook in stores!
Tex Mex Black-eyed pea casserole!
Tortilla soup-yummy!
Cinnamon roll pancakes with cream cheese glaze!
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe caught my eye! what a great way to show your process of testing your own recipes. I myself really enjoy my cookies undercooked and gooey!
Oh so many that I like! The White Wedding Cake Cupcakes, Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake, and Cinnamon Roll Pancakes among the many.
Her Red White and Blue Sangria! A summer staple in my house for a couple of years now!
Blueberry cheesecake ice-cream!!!
I love her 2-ingredient pancakes!
I like that she does gluten-free recipes along with her all her other great recipes.
I have used a ton of recipe’s but we did a strawberry- rhubarb crisp of yours that was to die early this spring.
Our family loves the pumpkin pancakes! Yummmm
I love her recipe for veggie burgers!!
I haven’t tried any yet, but would love too. I glanced thru the comments and they sound amazing!
I love her Red White and Blueberry Cheesecake Bars, I have made them for a few 4th of Julys now, sooo good and festive!
the brownies with the cookie dough, love the old and the new. Now that I’m pregnant I sometimes just make the cookie dough part and have a little pig out on the sofa hmmm soo yummy!
The Pumpkin pancakes are SO delish- perfect morning treat. I’m craving them and plan to make them at the first signs of fall 😉
We Love pancakes so pumpkin pancakes are our favorite!
Easiest Pound Cake Recipe Ever
Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake!
Two ingredient pancakes, but after reading about the butternut squash ravioli I can’t wait to try making that!
Love Recipe Girl…I receive her daily updates….oh, and her cranberry feta pinwheels are AWESOME!!!!!
We love the pumpkin pancakes 🙂
Pumpkin Coffee Cake!
Merrill’s Mother’s Strawberry Jam
Red velvet cheesecake cake!!!
We LOVE making her pumpkin pancakes, especially while up camping.
Has to be the blueberry cheesecake ice cream recipe!
lots of yummy ones but i would go with the baked chicken taquitos~ something that even my kids would eat and like!
Loved reading the interview! Lori is amazing, and so is her book! My favorite recipe is the cherry crumble – so good!
My fav dish on her site is Baked Penne with Spinach, Roasted Peppers and Bacon.
Oven roasted Green beans!
Pumpkin Pancakes !!!
I love the Baked Penne with Spinach, Roasted Peppers and Bacon
I love her bacon and chive corn cakes! I cook them up with some chicken strips and warm maple syrup. Better than any chicken and waffles from a restaurant.
Baseball Cookies !
PANCAKES!!!! We love all her pancake recipes.
mine and probably my families favorite has been the ‘Dried Cherry Apple Streusel Pie’
Red velvet cheesecake cake
Cheesy baked penne
Caramel Corn!
The baked penne sounds amazing.
Snapper Tacos with Chipotle Cream – Love the Cooking for 2 options!
Pumpkin Pancakes– yummmmmmmo!! I love anything pumpkin! =)
A Simple strawberry rhubarb crisp….YUM!
I haven’t actually tried too many *yet*. 😉 But so far my favorites are the walking tacos and the grilled bruschetta chicken. So yummy!!
– Miss Rachel –
Pumpkin pancakes
The Asian Lettuce Wraps!
I absolutely love anything Cheesecake!
I love her Chocolate Chip Pumpkin bread!
Snickerdoodle Blondies are my favorite!
Tomato Marscarpone Risotto
i’ve made lori’s honey-molasses chicken drumsticks for me and the boy, and boy were they a success! so delicious!
I haven’t tried anything off her blog yet but the angel hair pasta w/ shrimp, asparagus and basil looks good. So does the barbecued chicken pizza!
We love her Israeli Couscous with Pine Nuts and Parsley at our house!
Lori had a recipe for cranberry bliss bars that were better than Starbucks and her almond bark toffee recipe was incredible.
Mushroom Grilled Cheese sounds heavenly. I’ll be making that later today! 🙂
I love her Bacon Corn Griddle Cakes!
Can’t go wrong with her Easy Cherry Cobbler!
Okay, there is not just one favorite from Lori’s website however some of them are the Cheesy Baked Penne (yummm!), the Gorgonzola Stuffed Burgers w/mushrooms & caramelized onion marm, all her quiches are so fluffy & moist & garlic chicken! Red Velvet Cheesecake is a winner any time as well as the Basement Brownies! Oh, and on those cooler mornings when we opt not to have a smoothie, the Pumpkin Pancakes are a morning favorite!
oooooo the easy cherry cobbler
I love Recipe Girl! I have pinned many of her recipes, but would love her cookbook. My most treasured recipe of hers is the Angel Food Cake! I have looked high and low for my mom’s recipe and can’t find it. I was so excited to have Lori’s..
I would love her cookbook. Love tons of her recipes…
Cherry cobbler…. definely!
Yummo–the chocoloate chip pumpkin bread!
I love Recipe Girl recipes, one of my favorites is Cinnamon Roll Pancakes.
gotta love that grilled flank steak! thanks for offering the giveaway!
I use her perfect white wedding cupcakes for almost all cupcakes & cakes I make, It’s amazing! Also use her candy cane shaped fruit filled Christmas Cofffee cake recipe every year for Christmas morning breakfast.
caramel corn!!
Cheesy baked penne sounds amazing!
Balsamic Roast Mushrooms Tomatoes & Peppers I have been a professional chef for almost 40 years, specializing in remote Alaskan oilfield and construction camps and new veggie recipes are always welcome. This called for items I always have on hand and is quick, easy and a great change of pace for the crews. The feedback from them was great so this is now in my permanent “recipe brain”. Thanks so much 🙂
I love the white wedding cupcakes, and the kiddos love the walking tacos! I can’t wait to try the Cinnamon Roll pancakes!
Mushroom Grilled Cheese with Balsamic- Caramelized Onions- I am in love with this!
White wedding cupcakes are a weakness…YUM
I thinik it is Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp, Asparagus & Basil
My fav is the Chicken Cutlet Baguette with Gremolata & Roasted Red Peppers. I found it online over the winter, and loooooooved it!
I love Lori’s Kit Kat Birthday Cake! I made it for my husband and he absolutely loved it…not to mention so did I!
Pumpkin Pancakes for sure!
This is one of my favorite recipes Artichoke & Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken.
I love her Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Cheesecake!
Definitely the toffee chocolate chip cookies! yum!
Her Blueberry Refrigerator Jam is something I want to try so bad.
My favorite is Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp, Asparagus & Basil
I LOVE the white wedding cupcakes and icing! They are the best ever!!!I’ve used so many of her recipes and every single one was a hit with my family. She’s the one I go to anytime I need a recipe idea. Also the Almond Joy Cake is fantastic!
My favorite is the creamy pumpkin pasta! almost that time of year to make it again!!
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes!
We’ve made her root beer pulled pork over and over again! Delicious!
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
um…Cinnamon Roll Pancakes?! Yes pls, gotta try 🙂
I want to try the Zucchini Beef Enchiladas with all the abundant zucchini I have.
bbq chicken and ham pizza
Definitely the creamy pumpkin pasta — looks delicious!
Strawberry Cheesecake Cake. YUM!
Cinnamon roll pancakes are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!
Definitely http://www.recipegirl.com/2012/09/06/how-to-make-homemade-nutella/
Rustic Tomato and Zucchini Tart
Creamy pumpkin pasta! Yum!
I made this,
strawberry chicken salad with bacon and avocado and it was amazing!! 🙂
a must eat for this summer!
I tried the rustic tomato and zucchini tart this past weekend and it turned out great. I always love to see what pops up in my news feed from RecipeGirl. Great dinner ideas for my family!
I like the Blueberry Refrigerator Jam