This morning we have a real treat for you — Kelly Brisson from the The Gouda Life is here on Pawsh with her faithful furry sidekick, Ryder the chocolate lab! If you’re not familiar with Kelly’s wonderful blog, you definitely need to visit it after reading this post. Presenting mouth-watering dishes, all sorts of savoury food discourse and beautiful photographs, The Gouda Life is a wonderful place to find inspiration for the kitchen!
It was such a pleasure to chat about food, life and dogs during her interview, plus Kelly was kind enough to share one of her personal recipe faves for dog treats! Kudos also to the very talented Kronick Photography for these photos! Bon apetite everyone!
1. What inspired you to start The Gouda Life?
I started The Gouda Life in 2007, but didn’t start seriously writing entries until about 2010. Of course, my reason for wanting to start writing stemmed from a love of food, but it was also a way to excuse my friends and family from my constant rambling on and on about this recipe, and that blog, and these ingredients. I’m sure (though they’re all much too kind to tell me) they had had their fill. So it’s become an outlet for me to ramble as much as I like, and believe me; ramble, I do.
2. What is your favourite time of day to cook and why?
I really love cooking in the late morning/early afternoon. The sun usually streams in through my kitchen window around that time and something about cooking with the sun warm on my face and shining bright over the counter tops feels so romantic. Though it doesn’t typically make for the best photos, I find it so relaxing.
3. Would you describe your pet as a helpful kitchen assistant?
I certainly wouldn’t hire Ryder as my sous chef. She’s a bit of a piggy and tends to stand right under my feet waiting for things to fall. Unfortunately, for us both, the only thing falling is usually me.
4. Are there any funny stories you can share from your kitchen adventures?
There was a particularly cold day last winter and I was feeling really worn down from the bleak weather we’d been having. Since mother nature wasn’t giving me any sun, I decided to bake up something bright and sunny instead. I worked for a few hours on a Grapefruit Curd Tart and it turned out beautifully. I was so impressed with myself since I am really not the greatest dough/pastry chef. I’d taken a few photos of the finished product and picked it up in my hands to carry it back to the tart-pan. I had hardly taken a step before my hands came up and together, buckling the tart and letting the rest fall to the floor in a gooey pile. Since I was too far gone to cry, I sat on the floor and laughed while Ryder licked up the remnants of the sticky curd off the floor.
5. Do you ever cook/bake for your pets? Any recipes you could share with Pawsh?
I used to have a small baking company, and I often sold Whole Wheat Peanut Butter dog treats to certain clients. They make a cute little treat to give the pups in your life for the holidays. This is how you make them:
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup rolled oats
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 cup 100% all natural peanut butter
1-1 ½ cups milk
Preheat oven to 350.
In a large bowl, add first 3 ingredients and stir to combine. Whisk peanut butter and 1 cup of milk together. Pour into dry ingredients and stir until dough starts to stick together and form a ball. If it’s too dry, add more milk until you have a smooth dough. Roll out and use cookie cutters to form shapes, or simply cut into squares. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly brown around the edges.
I’m all over the map, but if I had to choose one favourite food, it would have to be cheese. I could eat cheese all day long. A close second, though it’s a few different foods, would probably be bolognese sauce with a fresh pasta, lots of olive oil and, of course, cheese. I could eat it everyday, for every meal.
Ryder has a thing for raw vegetables. Even if she’s in a dead sleep, all it takes is the sound of my knife cutting through potatoes or carrots to shoot her up and into the kitchen.
7. Some things in the food world just go together — peanut butter and chocolate, fries and ketchup — if you and your pet were to be a food combo, what would each of you be?
Oooh, good question! Rather than two opposing ingredients, I think we’d be two peas in a pod. We’re the exact same in many ways. Goofy, clumsy, a little hyper, and far too easily distracted by shiny things.
8. What advice would you give to somebody who is feeling creatively challenged in the kitchen?
This is something I’ve been struggling with lately so it’s easy for me to answer. When I’m feeling a little uninspired or repetitive in the kitchen, I usually try to surround myself with magazines, blogs, and people that I’m inspired by. Fully absorb yourself in what makes you happiest and inspiration is sure to follow.
9. What is the most important ingredient when it comes to eating healthy without sacrificing taste?
I know it sounds so cliché, but the best thing you can experiment with to lower sodium and fat intake without losing flavour are herbs and spices. My favourites, though not necessarily together, are fresh cilantro, ginger, cinnamon, tarragon, and garlic.
10. If your pet was a judge on a show like “Top Chef” what sort of judge do you think they would be?
She’d likely be some sort of celebrity guest judge who is there to look pretty, but doesn’t really have a whole lot of intelligence to offer. She’s a bit of a dunce, my Ryder. Either that, or she’s extremely intelligent and just gets a kick out of making me crazy.
Huge thanks to Kelly, Ryder and Jamie for taking the time to speak to us! I don’t know about you, but Rory and I are definitely trying out those biscuits this holiday season!
If you have an interesting job and a pet that you’re crazy about and would like to be featured on Pawsh, write to us at [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!
