The Modern Girl's Guide To Being A Domestic Goddess
Chapter 10 : Shanel's Secret Recipes
REAL FOOD GIVES REAL SATISFACTION
You should know by now that I’m all about using creativity to get what you want out of life. Well, same with food. I’m a true believer in creating your own recipes and experimenting with different flavors and styles of cooking. That’s what this whole book is about: creating whatever you want. So I’m not going to give you a boatload of recipes that I came up with for myself. I want you to get in your kitchen and create your own. But I do have a few of my favorite dishes that I couldn’t help but share with you.
I’m all about flavor, exquisiteness, and the whole experience around preparing and serving your food. To me, the time spent in the kitchen is sacred. And the time spent with friends, your man, and your family over a delicious home-cooked meal is priceless. I don’t believe in cooking “15 minute meals” because life has me so busy. Or shopping on a budget and cooking with inexpensive, convenient ingredients to save money. Or using everything that’s fat-free, light, and with as little calories—and taste—as possible so we don’t gain weight.
Here’s my philosophy: If you have balance, peace, and joy in your life and your finances are in order and you have a nice cash flow, then you should have the time to spend preparing a real meal and be able to purchase the ingredients you need to whip up something new, exciting, and exotic. If you’re doing your Stiletto Body Ritual, working out, and loving your body, then you should be able to eat whatever you want. However, there are (only) two things that I refuse to cook with and those are salt and sugar—for obvious reasons. I’ve replaced these ingredients in my kitchen with sea salt and agave nectar or honey—all actually much more flavorful and beneficial than the real thing.
I like to think of my recipes as sexy, southern comfort food. Food to feed your soul and comfort your spirit—while allowing you to unleash your sexiness while you’re cooking! So yes, my recipes have real ingredients, and I want you to prepare them with real love and make sure you have on a real nice pair of stilettos!.....
