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About Breathing & Cooking

Welcome to Breathing & Cooking, I’m Erin and I’m so glad you’re here! This blog is as much about slowing down and savoring the process of cooking as it is about savoring the final dish.

woman sitting in leather chair with book petting dog on the floor
Ollie and Erin

 I’m a big believer in keeping things real – whether that’s the ingredients I use or the expectations we set for ourselves. Cooking should be joyful and never feel like a chore- and food should be enjoyed whether we’re sharing it with people we love or dining solo.

What you’ll find here:

  • Seasonal recipes using real, unprocessed ingredients
  • Cooking fundamentals – because when you understand the “why” and “how” of a recipe cooking becomes intuitive
  • Recipes for one (or two) – because self care is important & you deserve to eat well
  • Recipes to feed a family – because sharing a meal strengthens bonds
  • Menu’s for gatherings – with timelines to help you organize so that you can relax and enjoy your company
  • What to make when you don’t have a lot of time- because life happens
  • What to cook when you have time to slow down and enjoy the process- because cooking is good for the soul
  • Thoughts on life, balance & mindfulness

And sprinkled throughout we’ll talk about favorite ingredients, tools I can’t live without, weekly dinners with Hannah, being kind to yourself, embracing your season, and even the recipes that don’t make the cut (because it’s important to remember not everything turns out the first time)!

hand holding bunch of fresh basil

A little about me…

Where do I start- My credentials? My family? My personal food philosophy? Maybe I explain what breathing has to do with cooking? Honestly, that’s a novel right there! This blog is the accumulation of 49 years of food never not being a central part of my life, it’s 40 years of mom-&-cookbook- inspired trial and error, it’s 28 years of raising children and working and figuring out how- in the middle of it all-  to take care of me, too.

Within those chapters are stories of flipping crepes with one hand while holding a baby who would only fall asleep on my shoulder, a meatloaf even my dog wouldn’t eat, the embarrassing realization that I’d been incorrectly pronouncing prosciutto (pro-skeew-tow) because I’d only read the word in magazines and never actually heard it spoken, the deep satisfaction of successfully catering a prime rib dinner for 40 all by myself, the first time I tasted a caprese salad with still-warm-from-the-sun tomatoes and basil freshly picked from my own garden, and the time I was moved to tears (seriously) by the most beautiful head of butter lettuce I’d ever seen with dew drops still clinging to it’s soft, pale green leaves.

Food and cooking has carried me through so many seasons in life. It’s been the constant in a world of change. So maybe I’ll go with that…

set table with grazing board

Growing up my mom and dad set a solid food foundation…

Cooking was enjoyable and food was sustenance, pleasure and comfort all wrapped up in one delicious bundle. Mealtimes were  for slowing down and connecting. And presentation -my mom was the queen of the “parsley flourish” and my dad, an artist, set a gorgeous table- was part of the whole experience.

I had three daughters by my 26th birthday. We lived on a farm and we were poor. We didn’t have the internet or cable, but I had a subscription to Bon Appetit and a collection of cookbooks which I’d read cover to cover like novels. My budget for groceries was less than the food I wanted to make, so I planted a big garden and got chickens for fresh eggs.

I learned to cook seasonally and make ingredients stretch

I learned that some of the best things you could eat had nothing to do with spending a lot of money or having fancy equipment (for years my stove was a 1940’s Magic Chef with a pilot light I had to ignite manually with a match). Rather, they were the result of quality ingredients and understanding the why and how of putting them together. I learned that things I could never afford to order in a restaurant were within reach if I made them at home.

three young children in leaves under a tree
My girls WAY back (Sky, Jill & Hannah)

And I learned that when we sat down around the table together sharing a meal we weren’t poor– we had everything we needed.

A lot of life has happened between the time I lived on the farm and where I find myself now. I went from a stay at home mom to a divorced mom trying to balance work and family and eventually, when my last daughter grew up, it was just me and my dog, Ollie, sharing dinner at the end of the day. In 2016 I met the most wonderful man, Eric, who is truly the yin to my yang and we were married a few years later in our backyard with my dad officiating and our combined 5 children by our sides. Life is good.

my family standing on bridge in park
Our family

Through all of these seasons the constant has been the joy I find in my kitchen. Cooking is my passion and my love language. It was a creative outlet when my kids were young, it was the comfort and familiarity I craved on my way home from work after a stressful day, and it was self-care when it was just me and Ollie on a Friday night.

Cooking for me is like breathing. It’s always been there and it’s most rewarding when I slow down and pay attention to it.

I tell you this because whatever season you’re in right now, whatever level of cooking skills you possess, whether you have an ancient stove & one knife or a dream kitchen filled with every fancy tool you could want, whether you have ten people to feed or you’re cooking dinner for one… Breathing & Cooking will meet you where you are.

two people toasting with wine glasses in front of large platter of paella
Toasting Hannah at our weekly dinner

I’d love to hear from you and see what you’ve got going on in your kitchen, so feel free to reach out to me! Thank you for stopping by, I’m looking forward to breathing & cooking with you!

Erin

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About Breathing & Cooking

Welcome to Breathing and Cooking, where slowing down and enjoying the process is as important as creating delicious, seasonal food to nourish your body and your soul. I'm Erin, the home-cook, writer and photographer behind B&C. I'm looking forward to sharing my love of family, food and life with you! Wondering what breathing has to do with cooking?

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Let’s slow down, breath and enjoy the process together

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Recent Posts

  • A Simple Cod Dinner With Roasted Root Vegetables
  • Melt-In-Your-Mouth Pork Belly Tacos
  • Charred Tomatillo Salsa
  • Life Changing Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
  • Chipotle Chicken & Bell Pepper Tacos

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I’m forever grateful to my parents for teaching I’m forever grateful to my parents for teaching me at a young age to eat not just to nourish my body, but to feed my soul in the process. To appreciate the beauty in something that’s fleeting is what mindfulness is about. And when I sit down to a meal like this - as simple as it is- I feel “present”. This post felt a little more like a love story than a recipe when I was writing it. But I love food so I guess that makes sense 😊. Take a few minutes to read my latest blog post for a simple cod and roasted root vegetable dinner- link in bio #simplefood #mindfulliving #cod #roastedrootvegetables #breathingandcooking
Mmmmmm pork belly tacos with charred tomatillo sal Mmmmmm pork belly tacos with charred tomatillo salsa are on the blog today... just in time for a Taco Tuesday tomorrow #porkbelly #porkbellytacos #tomatillosalsa #tacotuesday #breathingandcooking
Sometimes simple ingredients make the most beautif Sometimes simple ingredients make the most beautiful presentation. I suppose there’s a life lesson in there, too 😉 #beautifulfood #breathingandcooking #simplefood
So, meatballs have always stumped me. At least REA So, meatballs have always stumped me. At least REALY GOOD meatballs. I mean, I could make a passable meatball that could earn a “C+” on its report card. But I’ve longed for that light yet substantial, tender, full of flavor “A+” meatball. And I’ve long been dreaming of a giant, meal sized meatball like the ones I saw on a cable food porn show several years back. Wellllll tonight??? I think I nailed it. 8 oz meatballs that were everything I want a meatball to be with a simple marinara Ive been dying to try, some blanched green beans and a nice glass of red ...and I’m feeling pretty content right now. Happy weekend everyone!! #meatballs  #weekendfood #breathingandcooking
Snowed in today ❄️? Here’s an idea... take a Snowed in today ❄️? Here’s an idea... take a break from the screens, bake these cookies, pour yourself a cold glass of milk and enjoy the warm, cozy, gooey-cookie vibes 🥰 recipe just posted on the blog today! #gooeycookies #levaincookies #breathingandcooking #chocolatechipcookies #bakingtherapy #cookiebreak
When your husband not only texts you a recipe but When your husband not only texts you a recipe but also leaves a printed copy conveniently on the kitchen counter you know you need to make it. This recipe from @modern_honey for Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Crush Cookies is SO good 🤩 and was the perfect treat for my favorite valentine @emercuri 🥰 if you love chocolate and walnuts and crispy on the outside soft and gooey in the middle cookies put these on your short list... you won’t be disappointed! #levaincookies #myvalentine #cookies
Breakfast this morning- soft scrambled eggs over f Breakfast this morning- soft scrambled eggs over fresh avocado with a drizzle of chipotle dressing and a sprinkle of lemon citrus salt 😍 such a great way to start the weekend! Visit the blog for the dressing and citrus salt recipes ... you’ll find so many uses for both! Happy Saturday everyone ❤️🤗#softscrambledeggs #avocado #breakfast #breathingandcooking
This guy right here 💓 ... Hannah sent over some This guy right here 💓 ... Hannah sent over some home made dog treats and Ollie told me she’s now his favorite sister (sorry @skybrae and @jillimeyer jillimeyer 😉) #dogtreats
It’s Taco Tuesday and these chipotle chicken and It’s Taco Tuesday and these chipotle chicken and bell pepper tacos can be on your table in one hour! I love it when something so delicious comes together so quickly 😍!!! The chipotle marinade doubles as a dressing you’ll find yourself using on everything!  3 new recipes on the blog now #tacotuesday #chickentacos #guacamole
Ollie watching us while we watch the Super Bowl 😂...made the chorizo and lentil soup from @cooksillustrated and it’s a keeper! I picked up their winter recipes 2020 issue on Friday morning and this is the 3rd recipe I’ve tried and the third winner 🤗 ... I have at least 10 more recipes dog-eared & I’m hoping the winning streak continues! What’s on your menu tonight? #cooksillustrated #chorizo #lentilsoup #soup
Baby, it’s cold ❄️ outside... but this Briti Baby, it’s cold ❄️ outside... but this British Steak & Ale pie from @cooksillustrated warmed us right up and will be going on the regular rotation at our house! I baked it in individual servings instead of one big pie so that everyone got their very own bowl of cozy comfort food deliciousness 🥰 (plus I’ve been dying to use these beautiful @lecreuset bowls I got for Christmas😍). What’s on your menu tonight? #comfortfood  #potpie #lecreuset #cooksillustrated
Counting down to Valentine’s Day (10 days away Counting down to Valentine’s  Day (10 days away in case you need a reminder 😉) and looking for a really special dinner option? This beef Wellington with caramelized onions and a silky bourbon cream sauce is on the blog now! Along with a helpful step-by-step how to guide to walk you through assembling your masterpiece! You can do this ❤️ #valentinesday2021 #beefwellington #breathingandcooking
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