Meet Victoria from Love Laugh Cook

You might be surprised to find out blogger Victoria, behind the mouth-watering blog Love Laugh Cook, has a full-time job in sports medicine, but don’t let her love for exercise fool you! Her love for food is evident with just one peek at her blog.

Victoria spends most of her free time in the kitchen whipping up delicious creations inspired by the cooking of her mother and grandmothers. Stop by Love Laugh Cook for sweet treats (like this Peppermint Ice Cream Hot Chocolate Float) and savory plates (like this Green Chile Bacon Burger) topped off with a dash of travel and life adventures.

We had a chance to meet Victoria at Chopped Con and find out about her favorite foods, her blogging inspiration and the words she lives by.

What inspired you to become a blogger?
I have always loved being in the kitchen. From an early age, my mom taught me how to cook and many times I would make dinner for the whole family. My grandmother was also an amazing cook and I always looked forward to Sunday dinners at her house. She never disappointed us with her cooking! I got married, had a full-time job and realized I still spent 99 percent of my free time in my kitchen! I love coming up with new recipes and perfecting old ones. I decided that since I spent so much time in my kitchen, I should turn it into something productive! The goal of Love Laugh Cook is to let people know that cooking can be delicious and easy.

Favorite food to eat:
Oh decisions, decisions … dessert is for sure one of them. I have a major sweet tooth. We almost always have something for dessert. You are always invited over to come snag our leftover dessert! The sooner it’s gone the sooner I can make more, right? But on those nights that dinner doesn’t get made and the fridge seems empty, I do love my Chinese takeout.

Favorite food to make:
I love grilling! I have totally taken that “man job” over from my husband. There is nothing better than standing over the grill on a summer night. I have recently learned how to smoke meats on the grill and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite things to do. Sometimes you will find me in the middle of winter, standing in the snow, grilling. Those are the days that summer just can’t come fast enough. It’s never too cold to grill!   

Favorite trick of the trade when it comes to cooking/baking:
The crock pot. OK, that’s not really a trick, but it feels like it. When I know I’m going to have a really busy day, I throw a bunch of ingredients in the crock pot and then I magically have a warm dinner waiting for me! Doesn’t get better than that.

One piece of advice you would give to novice cooks:
Cooking can be easy and doesn’t have to be scary. Start with the basics, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Sometimes great things come from mistakes. Don’t be afraid to experiment, either. Taste as you go, throw in a little of this and a little of that. Cooking should be fun; don’t worry about veering away from the recipe. Chances are, you will make it better!

What is the hobby you don’t get to do nearly enough?
Camping, and (of course) cooking while camping. I always tell myself at the beginning of summer that we are going to go camping at least five times. Unfortunately, it only ends up being one time. But one time is better than none! I absolutely love camping and being in the outdoors. Even though I love being in my kitchen, I won’t pass up an opportunity to enjoy nature. Bringing my kitchen to nature? Doesn’t get better than that! Cooking over the campfire is something else. Something I can’t live without once a summer, and something I wish I had the opportunity to do more.

Favorite kitchen gadget:
I would have to say my stand mixer. I wouldn’t be able to make all those desserts without it! My mixer is going at least twice a week. And it’s bright red. So therefore it has to be my favorite kitchen gadget.

Biggest food flop:
There are way too many to count! Usually about once a month, sometimes more, I make something that is absolutely terrible. Or I have an incredible cake fail. It happens to all of us! But sometimes those flops can lead to a great invention.

The quote you live by:
“We are what we believe we are.” – C.S. Lewis.

Favorite recipe you’ve posted:
This awesome Classic Thanksgiving Dinner post! Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday ever. Because, food. Good food. And lots of it! So this year I made an entire Thanksgiving dinner and posted it to my blog! It was so much fun and I can’t wait until next year so I can make you another Thanksgiving dinner. Enjoy!